Used Honda Civic Mk10 (2017–22) vs Skoda Octavia Mk3 (2013–20)
Figures updated
Shopping for a used family hatchback? We compare the Honda Civic Mk10 (2017–2022) and Skoda Octavia Mk3 (2013–2020), which were on sale at the same time, on size, boot space, performance, safety and running costs, plus how cars of their age do in real MOT tests.
The short answer
The Skoda Octavia Mk3 comes out ahead, with the bigger boot, lower fuel costs and more performance; the Honda Civic Mk10 is close on everything else.
- The Skoda Octavia Mk3 has the biggest boot: 590 litres, 112 more than the Honda Civic Mk10.
- Their MOT records are similar for their age: the Honda Civic Mk10 fails its MOT 19% less often than average for its age (14% of Honda Civics built 2017–2021 failed first time in 2024, against 18% of all cars that age); the Skoda Octavia Mk3 fails its MOT 16% less often than average for its age (19% of Skoda Octavias built 2013–2020 failed first time in 2024, against 23% of all cars that age).
- The Skoda Octavia Mk3 is the cheapest to fuel: comparing diesel versions, about £72 a year less than the Honda Civic Mk10 at 7,500 miles a year.
| Figure | Honda Civic Mk10Mk10 (2017–2022), 5-door hatchback | Skoda Octavia Mk3Mk3 (2013–2020), 5-door hatchback |
|---|---|---|
| Price and practicality | ||
| Body | 5-door hatchback | 5-door hatchback |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| BootSeats up / folded | 478 litres / 1,267 | 590 litres / 1,580 (best) |
| Length | 4,518mm | 4,670mm |
| WidthWithout mirrors | 1,799mm | 1,814mm |
| Height | 1,434mm | 1,461mm |
| Performance | ||
| Power | 120–182 PS | 105–245 PS (best) |
| 0–62mph | 8.2–11.2 sec | from 6.6 sec (best) |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP ratingTests get tougher each year | ★★★★★ (2017) | ★★★★★ (2013) |
| Economy and emissions | ||
| Fuel types | Diesel, Petrol | Diesel |
| Official economyVersions of this generation | 33.2–62.8 mpg | 55.4–72.4 mpg |
| CO2 | 108–193 g/km | 103–136 g/km |
| Running costs at 7,500 miles a year | ||
| Petrol or hybrid171.7p a litre, today's UK average | £1,284 (45.6 mpg) | – |
| Diesel198.4p a litre | £1,077 (62.8 mpg) | £1,005 (67.3 mpg) (best) |
| Cheapest version to fuelWhichever fuel costs least | £1,077 (diesel) | £1,005 (diesel) |
| Car tax, registered 2001 to 2017Taxed on CO2; newer cars pay a flat £200 | £20 to £445 | £20 to £445 |
| Reliability from real MOT tests | ||
| Reliability score | 106Above average | 123Well above average (best) |
| Failed first time, cars of this generation's ageUK rate for cars the same age in brackets | 14.3% (17.6%)built 2017–2021 (best) | 19.3% (23.0%)built 2013–2020 |
| Failed MOT first time (ages 3–20) | 32.4% | 24.3% (best) |
| Failed at 3 years old | 8.8% (best) | 10.9% |
| Failed at 5 years old | 14.4% (best) | 14.9% |
| Failed at 10 years old | 24.3% | 24.7% |
| Most common MOT fault | Position lamp (5.3% of tests) | Coil spring (2.4% of tests) |
| Fails more than average on | Nothing stands out | Nothing stands out |
| MOT tests analysed | 255,672 | 198,623 |
| About the cars | ||
| Type | Family hatchback | Family hatchback |
| Owners' average miles a year | 7,600 | 11,500 |
| On sale | 2017–2022 | 2013–2020 |
Green marks the better figure where the difference is more than 3%. Reliability figures cover every version of each model tested in the year. Running costs use the typical official economy of recent versions (WLTP where available); real-world economy is usually a little worse for every car.
More comparisons
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- Audi A3 8V Sportback vs Honda Civic Mk10
- BMW 1 Series F20 vs Honda Civic Mk10
- Ford Focus Mk3 vs Skoda Octavia Mk3
- Volkswagen Golf Mk7 vs Skoda Octavia Mk3
- Vauxhall Astra K vs Skoda Octavia Mk3
- Audi A3 8V Sportback vs Skoda Octavia Mk3
Frequently asked questions
›Is a used Honda Civic Mk10 or Skoda Octavia Mk3 more reliable?
There's little in it. Compared with all cars the same age, the Honda Civic Mk10 fails its MOT 19% less often than average and the Skoda Octavia Mk3 16% less often than average (DVSA MOT tests, 2024). Because they're different ages, their raw rates differ: 14.3% of Honda Civics built 2017–2021 failed first time, and 19.3% of Skoda Octavias built 2013–2020. Whatever you buy, check the MOT history of the exact car.
›Which is bigger, the Honda Civic Mk10 or the Skoda Octavia Mk3?
The Skoda Octavia Mk3 is 152mm longer (4,670mm against 4,518mm). The Skoda Octavia Mk3 has the bigger boot: 590 litres against 478.
›Which is cheaper to run, the Honda Civic Mk10 or the Skoda Octavia Mk3?
Comparing diesel versions, the Skoda Octavia Mk3 costs about £72 a year less to fuel at 7,500 miles (£1,005 against £1,077), using typical official economy and current UK average fuel prices.
›Which is safer, the Honda Civic Mk10 or the Skoda Octavia Mk3?
Euro NCAP gave the Honda Civic Mk10 5 stars (2017) and the Skoda Octavia Mk3 5 stars (2013). Euro NCAP makes its tests tougher every few years, so ratings from different years aren't directly comparable.
›Should I buy the Honda Civic Mk10 or the Skoda Octavia Mk3?
The Skoda Octavia Mk3 comes out ahead, with the bigger boot, lower fuel costs and more performance; the Honda Civic Mk10 is close on everything else. The comparison above sets out price, space, performance, safety, running costs and reliability side by side.
Sources: manufacturers' UK specifications and price lists and Euro NCAP (listed on each model's page); DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2024 (Open Government Licence v3.0); Vehicle Certification Agency car fuel data, © Crown copyright, VCA cannot accept liability for its accuracy; fuel prices from the GOV.UK Fuel Finder scheme. Photos from Wikimedia Commons, credited under each picture.