Used Volkswagen Golf Mk7 (2012–20) vs Skoda Octavia Mk3 (2013–20)
Figures updated
Shopping for a used family hatchback? We compare the Volkswagen Golf Mk7 (2012–2020) 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
Pick the Volkswagen Golf Mk7 for the better MOT record and more performance, or the Skoda Octavia Mk3 for the bigger boot.
- The Skoda Octavia Mk3 has the biggest boot: 590 litres, 210 more than the Volkswagen Golf Mk7.
- The Volkswagen Golf Mk7 has the better MOT record for its age: the Volkswagen Golf Mk7 fails its MOT 27% less often than average for its age (18% of Volkswagen Golfs built 2012–2020 failed first time in 2024, against 25% of all cars that age), while 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).
- Running costs are close: the diesel versions cost within £23 a year of each other to fuel at 7,500 miles a year.
| Figure | Volkswagen Golf Mk7Mk7 (2012–2020), 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 | 380 litres / 1,270 | 590 litres / 1,580 (best) |
| Length | 4,255mm | 4,670mm |
| WidthWithout mirrors | 1,799mm | 1,814mm |
| Height | 1,452mm | 1,461mm |
| Performance | ||
| Power | 85–310 PS (best) | 105–245 PS |
| 0–62mph | 4.6–11.9 sec (best) | from 6.6 sec |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP ratingTests get tougher each year | ★★★★★ (2012) | ★★★★★ (2013) |
| Economy and emissions | ||
| Fuel types | Diesel, Electric | Diesel |
| Official economyVersions of this generation | 68.9 mpg | 55.4–72.4 mpg |
| CO2 | 106 g/km | 103–136 g/km |
| Electric range | 186 miles | – |
| Running costs at 7,500 miles a year | ||
| Diesel198.4p a litre | £982 (68.9 mpg) | £1,005 (67.3 mpg) |
| Electric, charged at home26.3p per kWh standard tariff | £447 (4.9 mi/kWh) | – |
| Cheapest version to fuelWhichever fuel costs least | £447 (electric) | £1,005 (diesel) |
| Car tax, registered 2001 to 2017Taxed on CO2; newer cars pay a flat £200 | £20 to £790 | £20 to £445 |
| Reliability from real MOT tests | ||
| Reliability score | 124Well above average | 123Well above average |
| Failed first time, cars of this generation's ageUK rate for cars the same age in brackets | 18.3% (25.1%)built 2012–2020 (best) | 19.3% (23.0%)built 2013–2020 |
| Failed MOT first time (ages 3–20) | 25.1% | 24.3% (best) |
| Failed at 3 years old | 9.5% (best) | 10.9% |
| Failed at 5 years old | 12.0% (best) | 14.9% |
| Failed at 10 years old | 21.9% (best) | 24.7% |
| Most common MOT fault | Coil spring (2.5% of tests) | Coil spring (2.4% of tests) |
| Fails more than average on | Nothing stands out | Nothing stands out |
| MOT tests analysed | 839,338 | 198,623 |
| About the cars | ||
| Type | Family hatchback | Family hatchback |
| Owners' average miles a year | 8,600 | 11,500 |
| On sale | 2012–2020 | 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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- Ford Focus Mk3 vs Skoda Octavia Mk3
- Vauxhall Astra K vs Skoda Octavia Mk3
- Audi A3 8V Sportback vs Skoda Octavia Mk3
- BMW 1 Series F20 vs Skoda Octavia Mk3
Frequently asked questions
›Is a used Volkswagen Golf Mk7 or Skoda Octavia Mk3 more reliable?
The Volkswagen Golf Mk7. Compared with all cars the same age, the Volkswagen Golf Mk7 fails its MOT 27% 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: 18.3% of Volkswagen Golfs built 2012–2020 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 Volkswagen Golf Mk7 or the Skoda Octavia Mk3?
The Skoda Octavia Mk3 is 415mm longer (4,670mm against 4,255mm). The Skoda Octavia Mk3 has the bigger boot: 590 litres against 380.
›Which is cheaper to run, the Volkswagen Golf Mk7 or the Skoda Octavia Mk3?
Comparing diesel versions, fuel costs are within £23 a year of each other at 7,500 miles, using typical official economy and current UK average fuel prices.
›Which is safer, the Volkswagen Golf Mk7 or the Skoda Octavia Mk3?
Euro NCAP gave the Volkswagen Golf Mk7 5 stars (2012) 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 Volkswagen Golf Mk7 or the Skoda Octavia Mk3?
Pick the Volkswagen Golf Mk7 for the better MOT record and more performance, or the Skoda Octavia Mk3 for the bigger boot. 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.