Well I'm on my second Octavia and had no problems with either of them, why buy an Audi or a VW when you can have the same car for a bit less and with more kit
Have a look where VW are in the surveys compared to Skoda aswell, think CC's problem is his dealer.
JBS is just up the motorway from you too and they can do wonders with the VAG deisel engines for around £450
Darren