Is the Skoda Superb a reliable purchase?

The time has come to replace our December 2006 Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI PD Elegance Estate. We are looking for something a little bigger and the car would get twice weekly run of 140 miles, mostly on the motorway, to pick our daughter up from boarding school. It would also perform short commutes of five to ten miles on weekdays, when the engine barely gets warm in winter. My budget is £18,000 for a very low mileage 2-year-old estate car that is not costly to service or insure. My favourite so far for a replacement is the Skoda Superb Estate on an Approved used scheme, and I like the spec on the 140bhp 2.0 TDi CR Elegance model. What do you think?

Asked on 9 August 2012 by JH, Somerset

Answered by Honest John
The Superb is a nice big car but is not immune from problems. One reader was left completely stranded by Skoda when his broke down in France. He had to use his own classic car breakdown insurance to get the car home. Skoda itself warns against using a diesel in the manner you propose to use this one. You might be better off with the Superb 1.8TSI, though I'm now receiving reports of oil consumption problems. Maybe the way out is a Mondeo 1.6 Ecoboost 150 estate. They're huge, and they will do well over 40mpg.
Similar questions
I have sold my house in Spain and I am moving to France. Can you please tell me if there is a French estate car that can compare favourably with the new Ford Mondeo estate for price and spec and space?...
I am considering buying either a Volvo V70 or Ford Mondeo estate. We need a diesel to do two long journeys abroad a year and modest mileage in the UK, possibly to pull a medium-sized horse trailer with...
My 1999 Toyota Avensis estate (2.0-litre petrol) has, after 170,000 trouble-free miles, expired due to a burst radiator and subsequent cracked cylinder head. I would like to replace it with a similar large...
Related models
Huge interior and load space. More legroom in the back than a Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Clever touches throughout. Well specified as standard and great value for money.
Fantastic to drive. Refined and comfortable to travel in. Massively roomy cabin and huge load capacity. Excellent value. Efficient ECOnetic models.
 

Value my car

Save £75 on Warranty using code HJ75

with MotorEasy

Get a warranty quote

Save 12% on GAP Insurance

Use HJ21 to save on an ALA policy

See offer