Used Skoda Octavia vRS 2013-2020 reliability
Category: Hot hatch
The Skoda Octavia vRS is a quick and spacious car, and although other hot hatches are more involving few make such a good used buy
What should I look for in a used Skoda Octavia vRS hatchback?
The vRS is a large and immensely practical hatchback, so it might have been used for a variety of duties, including family chores and taxi runs, not just for pleasurable drives on country lanes. Always check mileage details and the car’s history. Look at the bodywork for signs of scuffs, which could be the result of tight urban car parks, and the wheels for any kerb damage. Check the operation of the seats and that they all fold as they should, and make sure the fabic or leather is in good condition.
What are the most common problems with a used Skoda Octavia vRS hatchback?
On the whole owners seem happy with their vRSs. Several owners of the regular Octavia have reported issues with the dual-clutch DSG automatic gearbox, with some reporting electrical glitches and others mechanical faults. It's therefore imperative to make sure that any automatic Octavia changes through the gears smoothly and without hesitation in both manual and automatic modes. Don't forget to get the car up to speed and check it uses all the top gears, too.
Other Octavia owners have reported glitches with the sat-nav system and other minor electrical niggles, so it's worth taking the time to make sure everything works OK. Some owners have also reported failure of the water pump, leading to large bills.
Is a used Skoda Octavia vRS hatchback reliable?
The vRS didn’t feature as a standalone model in our most recent reliability survey, but the standard Octavia did well in the family car class, with the diesel-engined cars finishing in third place. Just 10% of Octavias suffered a fault, and most problems were fixed quickly. Skoda as a brand finished in seventh place out of 37 manufacturers.
