Should I Buy a 2012 Skoda Octavia 77 TDI 1Z?

altomic on 31/01/2024 - 01:15
Last edited 02/02/2024 - 18:25 by 1 other user

Update- thanks everyone for their input. i was on the verge of buying the skoda but was offered a mazda 6 that's newer and lower kms (just under double the price - mazda reliability against possible VW gearbox issues , - mazda won) .

My uncle has offered me his 2012 Skoda Octavia 77 TDI 1Z. automatic.

145,000 kms, most of the Kms are highway. Always serviced on time. Car is in very good condition. He's never had an issue with it - he's only selling due to downsizing to a smaller vehicle to suit his lifestyle. He's asking $6,200 (with RWC + Rego till July 2024). He's had his mechanic look over it (more than a standard RWC examination) and they have confirmed it's a solid car.

Is this a decent motor vehicle? and worth the price?

What are some problems I may encounter with this vehicle?

I've read this previous thread on Skodas which was of 2 camps - people who had never owned a Skoda and hated them, or people who had owned them and really liked them.

Thank you for your advice.

Poll Options

  • 29
    yes
  • 13
    no
Automotive Skoda Octavia

Comments

  • jv on 31/01/2024 - 01:32
    -4

    Nope…

    They contribute to climate change.

    • afoveht on 31/01/2024 - 01:43
      +3

      Better than contributing to comment rampage.

      • jv on 31/01/2024 - 08:13
        -4

        Why?

    • Sinnerator on 31/01/2024 - 08:34

      does ev not?

      • jv on 31/01/2024 - 09:28

        Of course it does.

  • Muzeeb on 31/01/2024 - 02:04
    +2

    Pretty sure the 1.6 diesel has a dpf. Will you just be doing repeated short suburban trips or will you be travelling regularly on a highway?

    • jv on 31/01/2024 - 08:14
      -2

      or just parked in the garage.

    • altomic on 31/01/2024 - 13:39

      Both.

  • Jaduqimon on 31/01/2024 - 06:45
    +1

    Nah just buy a Camry

    • Trying2SaveABuck on 31/01/2024 - 07:09
      +2

      In fairness a 'quick' scan of car sales more people want around well over 10k for a 2012 Camry this imho is a better deal

      https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/used/2012/toyota/camry/

      like dead set one bloke is advertising his for 23k for a 12 year old car that brand new is around 40-50k….. LMAO - guys dreaming even with Zero km on the clock cars lose 30-40 percent of there sticker price every 4 years

      • Jaduqimon on 31/01/2024 - 07:26
        +2

        I assure you for the next 5-10 years he will come out ahead with the Camry. Also can sell the Camry for more when it comes time for disposal.

        • Trying2SaveABuck on 31/01/2024 - 08:21

          Thats fair enough you prob know more then I, i guess it depends on OPs budget as well

  • Trying2SaveABuck on 31/01/2024 - 06:59
    +1

    without seeing myself - from what you're sayin, this fairly reasonable - if you're happy with the car i think this is a fairly good deal

    i have 'never' owned a Skoda but in the modern day there isn't a hell of a lot of difference with cars as long as they're looked after which this car sounds it has been. Everyone i have met who has owns/ed one has said good things about Skoda. - i actually think last year the most issues for new cars out of all the brands was Mercedes [go figure] but even that was like less than 0.5 percent of all mercs sold.

    As for problems any car with over 200,000km on the clock could have issue [cue some guy posting his whatever car lasted till/over 500,000km] but realistically 140,000km you should get a decent run out of it for 6k it isnt a bad deal

    thus the price sounds reasonable 'given' the age and KMs on the clock. - it has a full service history and road worthy which is as good as you will get in the used car market without a car still being under warranty.

    I know people who has spend more with less certainty at car auctions etc

    • singlemalt72 on 31/01/2024 - 09:34
      +5

      in the modern day there isn't a hell of a lot of difference with cars as long as they're looked after

      Other than continual failurs of major components in certain vehicles due to bad design and expensive repairs due to more bad design. THe going joke with any VAG veghicle for any minor works is 1. Remove engine and garbox from vehicle.

      Ford Focus/Fiesta/Ecosport - Auto gearbox failure due to broken casting
      Toyota Prado/Hilux/Fortuner - DPF failures costing thousands to repair each time
      Volkswagen Dual Clutch failures - (OP needs to consider this as Skoda is VAG
      Jeep Cherokee - various computer and electronics failures (goes for most of the Jeep/Dodge lineup)
      Holden Captiva - Engines that basically are unable to keep oil inside them
      Holden Cruze - Leaky engines, fraile water pumps
      Nissan Models from 2013-2021 - CVT failure

      Fact is, you need to do your research regarding used cars, many model lines are simply on the verge of self-destruction due to known faults, no matter how well they are cred for. FWIW I owned a 2012 VW Passat when new (very similar to the Octavia) - great car but I would not touch one used from that time having seen the number of failures of major mechanical components.

      • Trying2SaveABuck on 31/01/2024 - 14:22

        Fact is, you need to do your research regarding used cars, many model lines are simply on the verge of self-destruction due to known faults, no matter how well they are cred for. FWIW I owned a 2012 VW Passat when new (very similar to the Octavia) - great car but I would not touch one used from that time having seen the number of failures of major mechanical components.

        this is another you're probably right in the sense you can always buy a lemon but for 6k you're not getting much in the modern market - in regards to what OP has posted this isnt a bad deal

        as a post about cars in general the used car market 'has come back' but it probably is still worth getting a under-warrenty/ex demo/new car if budget allows (not including luxury cars, that is a different kettle of fish)

  • mapax on 31/01/2024 - 07:43

    Is it a wagon?

    I don’t know anything about skoda but would probably roll the dice on a wagon if I did enough freeway kms.

    • altomic on 31/01/2024 - 14:10

      wagon

  • barge-in hunter on 31/01/2024 - 07:52
    +4

    This sounds like a reasonable offer;
    - it’s from a family member
    - the price is reasonable
    - low kms/ condition sounds good

    Unfortunately I couldn’t recommend this specific model though. They are plagued with a problematic DSG automatic gearbox that VW put in heaps of models, and continued to sell knowing they were a faulty design. No matter how nice this example is, the gearbox could basically grenade at any time (given the kms) and cost $5-10k to replace.

    The car-expert review covers it a little but there’s plenty ty online about “vw dsg transmission problems” and this model is definitely included.

    Personally, I would walk away as I wouldn’t want my uncle to feel bad (and me be stuck with massive repair bills) if/when this issue comes up.

  • brendanm on 31/01/2024 - 08:16

    The only issue with this is that the low powered 77tdi uses the 7 speed dry clutch box, whereas a higher powered version would use a much better wet clutch unit.

  • Gunnar on 31/01/2024 - 08:47
    +5

    Normally I’d say a straight out no. This car you know the owner and know they type owner they are. With used cars, in most instances you’re buying the seller, not the car. Chances are if your uncle looks after their cars this is a safe bet. If something goes wrong it would be an age or just bad luck issue rather than because of his crappy ownership

    The one thing I’d be hesitant on is diesel - what’s your driving habits like? Urban or regional/rural (or urban but mostly freeway). If it’s the latter three then diesel is fine. If all you do is short trips in stop start traffic don’t get a diesel

    • altomic on 31/01/2024 - 19:15

      currently have a diesel (owned it for 10 years).

  • payless69 on 31/01/2024 - 09:14
    +1

    Probably the best line from the Volkswagen giant.
    Personally I would not touch another brand from that concern.
    Check his driving habit: If he lets the gear changes happen as the car want's to then a big yes.
    If he keeps on playing with the accelerator forcing random gear changes then a solid NO.
    These engines should last at least double.

  • JIMB0 on 31/01/2024 - 09:22
    +2

    Flip it and buy a Camry.

    • Sye on 31/01/2024 - 15:21
      +1

      I flipped it now I have to buy a Camry.

  • tp0 on 31/01/2024 - 09:58
    +3

    Timing belt is due to be replaced in 2 years. DPF will get clogged if you don't take it out on the highway every few weeks. The DSG in this car is questionable.

    The DSG is probably the biggest concern but they're hard to diagnose in a test drive. If you're not super familiar with a DSG you won't know what is normal or abnormal behaviour.

  • Drakesy on 31/01/2024 - 11:29
    +3

    Haha

    Well how much do you like money. Yes the initial cost is small, but a small transmission fault and emission device issues will see you spend that again.

    Get a japanese/korean if in the <$10k range.

    Euro's outside of warranty are a nightmare.

    • Trying2SaveABuck on 31/01/2024 - 15:34
      +1

      Get a japanese/korean if in the <$10k range.

      Another comment i kind of 'agree' with but doesnt help OP there are no Japanese cars 12 years old or probably even Korean that you will get for that 6k range.

      The i30 which would be one of the cheaper Hatch/Sedans when talking about Jap/SK cars at 2012 which similar KM is around 50-100% more than this deal

      https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/2012/hyundai/i30/

      Like i said in the above comment people want up to 22k for a Camry 2012

      i did found a few small Kia's in that price but with a lot more KMs on the clock

      i agree with your logic but 6.2k with a bit of rego is not bad but as you elude to this probably will give you 60-70,000km more then die - however even jap and S.K cars have issues after 200,000km

  • carlJack on 31/01/2024 - 13:09

    Owned Skoda for the last 10 years. I like them. I think its a good deal.

  • brad1-8tsi on 31/01/2024 - 13:18

    I had a 2007 Mk2 Octy (1.8tsi manual) for 13yrs /210k km.

    It was a overall a great car. Unfortunately the headlining failed and a lot of the interior started melting in the last 2 years of ownerships. They don't like our heat or UV.

    I'd buy another if it suited my needs.

    Not familiar with that engine or gearbox - can't comment

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