THE Skoda brand has been rehabilitated. These days it's rare to find people cracking jokes about Skodas, as most know that they are seriously well-built cars and the original 2004 to 2009 MkII Octavia model was one that tested the limits of the marque's newfound desirability.
Bigger, more sophisticated and, consequently, more expensive than its predecessor, the second-generation Octavia built on that car's success but hoped to move the Skoda brand that little bit further upmarket. As a used buy, the Octavia makes a lot of sense, offering rugged durability with no-nonsense affordability.
You should find something in the 2004 to 2009 line-up to your liking. The 1.6-litre FSI and the 2.0-litre diesel remain the standout models but there are other interesting options, such as the 4x4 estate and the punchy vRS.
