Skoda Roomster (2006 – 2015) Review

Skoda Roomster (2006 – 2015) At A Glance

3/5

+Roomy boot and plenty of storage space. Decent handling and easy to drive with good visiblity. Well built and good value.

-No sliding rear side doors. Centre rear seat is narrow in the back. No spare wheel from 2009. Multiple electrical failures seem to be a common problem.

Insurance Groups are between 4–14
On average it achieves 93% of the official MPG figure

Skoda’s van-shaped Roomster might be showing its age, but there’s no denying its practicality. There’s a large boot, sliding rear seats and masses of headroom in an airy, spacious cabin. It’s not the most sophisticated of family cars, but as a no nonsense everyday car it’s impressive, offering more comfort and quality than a Citroen Berlingo Multispace or similar van-based car at the expense of outright size.

The engine range has changed several times over the Roomster’s production life, but currently it’s made up of four 1.2-litre petrol engines with between 69PS, plus three diesel engines with between 75PS and 105PS. None of these is particularly speedy, but the Roomster is more about economy than pace – all of the engines are reasonably frugal with the Greenline models able to returm more than 65mpg according to the official figures.

The driving dynamics aren’t exactly pin-sharp but the payoff is good levels of ride comfort. Speed bumps, potholes and undulations in the road are all absorbed well, even on the larger 17-inch alloy wheels. The controls are well-weighted and precise, which makes for a likeable and relaxed driving experience, helped further by the large glass area, giving good visibility.

The back row of seats can be folded, slid and tumbled individually, which makes the rear load space flexible and practical. Its minimum capacity is a still-spacious 450 litres, but that can be expanded to a huge 1780 litres if needs be. That makes it ideal for carrying bulky items or for dog owners.

The Skoda Roomster is a well thought out and practical family car. Rival models are typically van-based and lack the solid, car-like cabin and well-judged suspension set up of the Roomster. For those who want van-like space – but who don’t want a van – the Roomster is ideal.  

Real MPG average for a Skoda Roomster (2006 – 2015)

RealMPG

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Average performance

93%

Real MPG

32–66 mpg

MPGs submitted

295

Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.

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Ask Honest John

What's the best aftermarket tyre pressure monitoring system?

"A recently experienced a slow puncture and this has made me think about getting a car tyre pressure monitoring system for my Skoda Roomster. Do you consider these worthwhile? If so, which one would you recommend, please?"
Yes, a TPMS is certainly worthwhile not only for tyre safety but also to prevent premature wear. They're reasonably priced and we'd recommend this Michelin system we tested: https://kit.honestjohn.co.uk/reviews/review-michelin-fit2go-tyre-pressure-monitoring-system-tpms/
Answered by David Ross

Will a disconnected battery cause me to lose the radio code?

"I own a 2011 Skoda Roomster and would like to know if disconnecting the car battery will mean I lose the radio security code."
No, the radio code is stored in the car so you should be fine.
Answered by Andrew Brady

Should I have the emissions update done?

"I have a 2014 Skoda Roomster 1.2 GTI. It has been serviced as manual and passed first MoT earlier this year. I have been sent notification of having emissions update carried out but am concerned by conflicting reports about the necessity of this and of the performance following the procedure. Advice and comments welcomed."
Basically they now guarantee to fix any issues your car may have after the NOx emissions fix, or, if the injectors and EGR of the car are obviously not in a fit state to accept the fix, they don't do it.
Answered by Honest John

Is this a fair price to repair faulty windows on my Skoda Roomster?

"The front windows on my 2010 Skoda Roomster stopped working. I've been quoted over £250 to repair, is this a fair price?"
Fair quotation. Have previously recorded this failure due to water ingress to the windows and locking ECU inside the driver's door.
Answered by Honest John
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