It is safe to say that the Skoda Octavia is one of the best family cars on the market, in terms of value for money, practicality, reliability, and drive quality. You’ll be hard pressed to find that much car for such a price. Even though it is around since 2004, it still hasn’t begun to look outdated inside or out. And Irish buyers are always looking for one on the secondhand market. Practicality levels in the Octavia are impressive; there’s acres of space in the cabin, and a good size boot which can hold some large items. You can easily fit five adults in the cabin, leg/head room will not be an issue, and it is nicely comfortable. Good quality materials are used throughout. On the road, the Octavia drives better than most family cars. It handles quite well with a solid feel to the steering. The excellent chassis shines through regardless of what sort of road you are on.

•  Problems with the air-con apparently are common; be vigilant

•  Practical; spacious cabin and one of the biggest boots in class

•  There are some really efficient engines

•  Skoda has built on its growing reputation for  reliable cars

•  It’s enjoyable and easy to drive

•  There’s a decent level of standard equipment and safety features

•  Reasonable price tag and it is not costly to keep on the road

•  The diesel engines can get a bit noisy at times