Škoda owners are so happy with their cars that they have placed the manufacturer second in the 2008 JD Power & Associates Customer Satisfaction Survey. The company has now featured in the top five of the survey for 13 years in a row.

After placing joint second in the 2007 survey, Škoda was the clear runner-up this time, with a total customer satisfaction index (CSI) of 84.6 per cent. Only a premium car maker beat Škoda's impressive performance.

Škoda UK Director, Robert Hazelwood, said: “This result clearly shows how important customer satisfaction is to Škoda. Through inventive design and the highest production standards, we aim to build cars that make our customers as happy as possible. This commitment, and the efforts of our retailers in providing outstanding sales and after sales service, help to make Škoda the Manufacturer of Happy Drivers.”

In addition, Škoda's Octavia won the small family cars' section with a CSI of 85.2 per cent – the second year in succession that the car has achieved this feat. The Octavia was placed joint fourth overall. According to What Car?, the Octavia scored highly for reliability, performance, ride, handling, space and running costs.

In the super mini class, the Škoda Fabia placed third, and finished ninth overall. The Fabia, which scored 84 per cent in the survey, was particularly praised for its reliability, exterior styling and solidly built cabin.