Carsieve

Skoda Octavia II (2004-2013): known problems and buying guide

Built
2004–2009
Median price
€2,500
Listings
420
Running cost per month
€437–€500
Power
105–140 PS (77–103 kW)
Reliability
3/5
DIY
2/5

Ask for timing chain and DSG work records first. Chain damage, oil use and the DSG are the costly faults.

All versions

VariantRunning cost per monthMedian priceListingsFuelEngine codesGearboxProduction years
2.0 TDI, 140 PS, 6-speed manual Research€437€2,10075Diesel BMMManual (6)2004–2009
2.0 TDI, 140 PS, 6-speed manual, all-wheel drive Research€448€2,10075Diesel CFHManual (6)2006–2009
1.9 TDI, 105 PS, 5-speed manual Research€458€2,30071Diesel BKCManual (5)2004–2009
1.9 TDI, 105 PS, 5-speed manual, all-wheel drive Research€500€2,30071Diesel BKCManual (5)2005–2009

At a glance

  • Built 2004 to 2013, facelift January 2009. Liftback, Combi, Scout and RS.
  • Reliability: 3/5. Timing chain and DSG faults cost the most.
  • DIY: 2/5. Chain, DSG and cylinder head jobs need a garage.
  • Prefer: 1.6 MPI or 1.6 FSI petrol, with service records.
  • Avoid: turbo petrols without chain and oil records, and any DSG without service history.

Engines and gearboxes

  • 1.2 and 1.4 TSI (turbo petrol, EA111, chain): see the EA111 guide. The chain can slip.
  • 1.8 and 2.0 TSI (turbo petrol, EA888, chain): 1.8 TSI (BZB, CDAA) and 2.0 TSI RS (CCZA). Chain and oil use faults.
  • 2.0 TDI pump-injector (PD, BKD and BMN): the cylinder head can crack.
  • 2.0 TDI common rail (EA189): see the EA189 guide. EGR valves can clog.
  • DQ200 7-speed dry DSG: see the DQ200 guide. Judder and corrosion.
  • DQ250 6-speed wet DSG (RS): mechatronic (gearbox control unit) faults.

Known issues

Issue Affects Typical km Repair cost
Timing chain on 1.8 and 2.0 TSI 1.8 TSI (BZB, CDAA), 2.0 TSI RS (CCZA) Stretch usually 80,000-100,000 km No confirmed price
Timing chain on 1.2 and 1.4 TSI 1.2 and 1.4 TSI (1.4 TSI CAXA) Not stated No confirmed price
Oil use on 1.8 and 2.0 TSI 1.8 TSI (BZB, CDAB), 2.0 TSI About 100,000 km, about 1 litre per 1,000 km No confirmed price
DQ250 6-speed wet DSG mechatronic DQ250, model years 2007-2009 Not stated Not stated
DQ200 7-speed dry DSG DQ200, cars built 2008-2011 Clutch over 120,000 km No confirmed price
2.0 TDI PD cylinder head cracks 2.0 TDI PD, pre-facelift 140 PS (BKD) and 170 PS (BMN) Not stated Not stated
EGR valves on diesels Diesels Not stated Not stated
ABS and ESP control unit (MK-60) Model years 2004-2013 (Austria recall) Not stated Software update, no price stated

Before you buy

  1. Ask for timing chain and tensioner work records on any 1.8 or 2.0 TSI. A rattle on a cold start is the warning sign.
  2. On a 1.2 or 1.4 TSI, listen for a rattle on a cold start. Ask for chain work records.
  3. Check the oil level on a cold engine and ask for the oil change record. Oil use of about 1 litre per 1,000 km is the fault.
  4. On a 6-speed wet DSG (DQ250), ask a Skoda dealer to check the mechatronic campaign record.
  5. On a 7-speed dry DSG (DQ200), drive from a stop and through the low gears. Judder when pulling away or jerky shifts are the fault signs.
  6. On a pre-facelift 2.0 TDI PD, check the coolant level and ask for cylinder head work. Coolant loss is the first sign of cracks.
  7. On a diesel, ask for the EGR history. Black smoke, judder, higher fuel use and less power point to the EGR valve.
  8. Check the ABS and ESP recall by VIN with a Skoda dealer, and ask whether the MK-60 software is fitted.

Running costs

Operational€204
Workshop€126
Fixed costs (tax, insurance)€119
Total per month€449
New-car depreciation (not included)€50

ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months

Market

Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.

Find offers on mobile.de

Listings
420
25th percentile
€1,900
Median price
€2,500
75th percentile
€3,500
Median mileage
229,854 km
Median first registration
2007
Dealer share
37.9%
Price at 100,000 km
€4,153

To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.

In detail

Timing chain on 1.8 and 2.0 TSI

The timing chain drives the camshafts. Its tensioner retainer (the part that keeps the chain tight) can slip, and a skipped chain can wreck the engine. Press reports put the usual stretch at 80,000-100,000 km. A rattle on a cold start is the warning sign. No repair price is confirmed.

Sources: Australian Car Reviews, Gebrauchtwagenberater, Auto.ru

Timing chain on 1.2 and 1.4 TSI

On the 1.4 TSI (CAXA), a weak tensioner and front cover let the chain slip, mostly in earlier cars. The TÜV report also lists the timing chain problem. A rattle on a cold start is the warning sign. No repair price is confirmed.

Sources: Motor-Talk, Kolesa.ru, Gebrauchtwagenberater

Oil use on 1.8 and 2.0 TSI

The engine burns oil: about 1 litre per 1,000 km by about 100,000 km, on the BZB and CDAB versions. The cause is the piston rings. Sources give very different repair prices, so none is shown here.

Sources: Kolesa.ru, Auto.ru, Gebrauchtwagenberater

DQ250 6-speed wet DSG mechatronic

The 6-speed wet-clutch DSG has solenoid valve bushings in its mechatronic that wear. The fault is in cars from model years 2007-2009. A campaign from December 2009 has dealers replace the unit when VW diagnostics flag it. The warranty was extended to 10 years or 100,000 miles (160,900 km). In the Octavia RS, the press names the mechatronic as the main fault. No repair price is confirmed.

Sources: Australian Car Reviews, Auto.ru

DQ200 7-speed dry DSG

The dry 7-speed DSG can judder when pulling away, and shifts can be jerky. Cars built from November 2008 to August 2011 have corrosion in the mechatronic, and a later recall covers a crack in the housing. The clutch lasts over 120,000 km. No repair price is confirmed.

Sources: Australian Car Reviews, Gebrauchtwagenberater, Kolesa.ru

2.0 TDI PD cylinder head cracks

The 2.0 TDI pump-injector (PD) engine can crack its cylinder head. Coolant loss is the first sign. Gebrauchtwagenberater names the pre-facelift 140 PS (BKD) and 170 PS (BMN) as affected. Motor-Talk owners also criticise the cylinder head. No mileage or repair price is confirmed.

Sources: Gebrauchtwagenberater, Motor-Talk

EGR valves on diesels

The EGR valve (exhaust gas recirculation: it feeds exhaust back into the engine) clogs with soot. Signs are black smoke, judder, higher fuel use and less power. The TÜV report lists faulty EGR valves, and AutoBild names clogged valves. No repair price or mileage is confirmed.

Sources: Gebrauchtwagenberater, AutoBild, Motor-Talk

ABS and ESP control unit (MK-60)

The ABS and ESP control unit (MK-60) can fault, and ABS and ESP may stop working. The Austrian recall covers Octavia models from 2004 to 2013. The fix is new software at an authorised workshop, and no damage cases were known. An Australian notice names the same fault in 2008-2009 cars, with no fix stated. Check the VIN with a Skoda dealer.

Sources: ÖAMTC, Australian Car Reviews, AutoBild

Recalls

Country Code Years What is done
Australia PRA 2012/13017 Built 2008-2011 2.0 TDI injector line replaced with an improved line
Australia PRA 2013/13635 Built November 2008 to August 2011 DQ200 mechatronic corrosion; no fix stated
Australia PRA 2015/14956 Built 2009-2013 2.0 TDI EA189 NOx software update from January 2016
Australia PRA 2017/15957 Model years 2008-2009 ABS control unit; no fix stated
Australia PRA 2019/17887, campaign 35E1 Built 2009-2015 DQ200 crack in mechatronic housing; no fix stated
Australia not given Model years 2007-2009 DQ250 mechatronic replaced when VW diagnostics flag it
Austria not given Model years 2004-2013 ABS/ESP control unit MK-60: new software at an authorised workshop

Maintenance

  • Change engine oil often on turbo petrols. Oil carbon can block the passages without regular changes (Motor-Talk).
  • On a 2.0 TDI PD, check the coolant level often.

Sources

English

German

Russian