CarCostCheck

SKODA OCTAVIA (2004)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 3,326 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,957

£163/month

MOT Pass Rate

73%

Average

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 12-25

1598cc Petrol

Check Carefully

73% pass rate, £1957/year to run. 9 points below average.

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Petrol1598cc22 years old3,326 tests147k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1598cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137
Road Tax

Based on 1598cc

£265
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500
Total per year£1,957
Per month£163/mo
Per week£38/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

73% MOT pass rate(Average)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 9 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the SKODA brand average of 88%.

At 22 years old, 73% of SKODA OCTAVIAs from 2004 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 3,326 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 147,294 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2004 cars248th of 491(top 51%)
Rank among SKODA models300th of 331(top 91%)
vs national average-9%(82% avg)
vs 2004 cars average+1%(72% avg)
vs SKODA average-15%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

147,294

Average miles

vs

162,800

Expected for age

The average 2004 SKODA OCTAVIA has 147,294 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 162,800 miles for a 22-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2020 model with a 91% MOT pass rate, while the 1998 model has the lowest at 67%. The 2004 sits between the two at 73%.

SKODA OCTAVIA by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202185%32457,134 mi
202091%13,72150,514 mi
201990%31,53461,297 mi
201890%27,15971,077 mi
201788%29,24684,339 mi
201687%32,79897,549 mi
201586%30,840108,406 mi
201485%28,378113,965 mi
201382%18,141120,720 mi
201278%18,753126,303 mi
201177%19,826120,414 mi
201076%16,656130,679 mi
200975%12,158132,069 mi
200873%10,293142,833 mi
200772%11,009144,641 mi
200671%9,468141,864 mi
200571%5,516143,706 mi
200473%3,326147,294 mi
200372%2,670151,314 mi
200273%1,768146,396 mi
200171%1,135143,061 mi
200068%383146,774 mi
199974%208138,431 mi
199867%106104,028 mi

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About the 2004 SKODA OCTAVIA

The 2004 SKODA OCTAVIA is a small family car with a 1598cc petrol engine. 3,326 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2004, the average MOT pass rate is 72%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 147,294 miles at 22 years old, SKODA OCTAVIA owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2004 SKODA OCTAVIA Fuel Costs

The 1598cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2004 SKODA OCTAVIA?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,957 163/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 73% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

SKODA OCTAVIA Reliability Trend

Newer SKODA OCTAVIAs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 13 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2004 SKODA OCTAVIA

At 22 years old, the SKODA OCTAVIA is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 91%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2004 SKODA OCTAVIA's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 147k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Engine Mounts

Medium risk

Worn engine mounts cause excessive vibration and movement. Replacement costs £150-£400 per mount. Check for vibration at idle with the bonnet open.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2004 SKODA OCTAVIA stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
SKODA OCTAVIA(2004)73%£1137£265Grp 12-25£1957
FORD FOCUS(2006)73%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£130
MINI MINI(2005)71%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£130
BMW 3 SERIES(2006)80%£1327£135Grp 18-32£1867-£90
HONDA JAZZ(2006)71%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722-£235

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Related Skoda Models

Explore other Skoda cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Skoda Octavia.

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