Heading
Close X
Menu
This September, a new season begins on the road. On 1st September 2025, the 75 registration plate arrives... and with it, the perfect moment to step into a brand-new Škoda.
But Škoda’s story didn’t begin with the 75 plate. In fact, it goes back more than a century. Let’s take a drive through the decades, from Škoda’s earliest models to the cutting-edge electric cars of today.
Every great journey has a beginning, and Škoda’s story started with ambition, vision, and ingenuity. In 1895, Václav Laurin and Václav Klement founded a small workshop in Mladá Boleslav, Czech Republic, crafting bicycles with precision and care. Just a year later, in 1896, they had expanded into motorcycles — and soon after, in 1905, the first Škoda car, the Voiturette A, hit the roads.
From these humble beginnings, Škoda established a legacy of engineering excellence, innovation, and reliability. What started as two men with a dream would grow into one of the world’s oldest and most respected car manufacturers — a company still shaping the future of driving over 125 years later.
By the 1930s, Škoda had become one of Europe’s most respected carmakers. Models like the Škoda Popular (1934) were stylish, affordable, and practical. In 1935, the company introduced the very first Škoda Superb — a name that still represents the pinnacle of comfort and luxury in the range today.
In the 1950s and 60s, Škoda was known for tough, dependable family cars. The Octavia (1959) was born, a name that has since become a global bestseller. In 1964, the Škoda 1000 MB broke new ground with its rear-mounted engine and modern construction.
The late 1980s brought the Škoda Favorit (1987), a stylish, modern hatchback that pointed the brand in a new direction. Just four years later, in 1991, Škoda joined the Volkswagen Group, marking the start of a complete transformation.
The mid-1990s saw Škoda launch models that would redefine its reputation in the UK:
By 2005, Škoda had gone from being the underdog to a trusted, desirable brand on UK roads.
In 2005, Škoda was still establishing itself as a trusted household name in the UK. The Fabia Mk1 was the small car of choice for many drivers, valued for its practicality and no-nonsense design. The Octavia Mk2, launched the previous year, was beginning to win over family buyers thanks to its impressive space and reliability, while the Superb Mk1 was showing that Škoda could compete in the executive saloon market.
These were honest, dependable cars. They may not have had the sharp styling or cutting-edge technology of today’s models, but they earned loyal customers with their build quality and everyday usability.
By 2015, the Škoda line-up had taken big strides forward. The Fabia Mk3 offered sharper looks and a far more refined interior than its predecessors. The Octavia Mk3 had become a best-seller in the UK, loved for its balance of comfort, technology, and practicality. The Superb Mk3, launched that year, set new benchmarks for space and luxury in its class.
This was also the time of the Yeti, Škoda’s quirky first SUV, which captured imaginations with its distinctive design and versatility. It paved the way for Škoda’s now hugely successful SUV range.
Today, Škoda is a very different brand. The Fabia Mk4 is packed with smart connectivity and head-turning design. The Octavia Mk4 remains a UK favourite, now available with hybrid options. The Superb Mk4 (arriving later this year) pushes boundaries again, combining premium quality with incredible practicality.
The SUV family has grown with the Kamiq, Karoq, and Kodiaq, offering choice at every size. The Enyaq iV has become one of the UK’s most desirable fully electric SUVs, while 2025 sees the exciting arrival of the Elroq, Škoda’s brand-new compact electric SUV, combining style, efficiency, and innovation in a package designed for modern living.
1895 – Laurin & Klement founded in Mladá Boleslav (starts with bicycles).
1905 – First car: the Laurin & Klement Voiturette A.
1934 – Škoda Popular launches, a pre-war best-seller.
1935 – The first Škoda Superb is introduced.
1959 – The Octavia name is first used.
1964 – Launch of the 1000 MB, a revolutionary rear-engined family car.
1987 – The Favorit modernises Škoda design.
1991 – Škoda joins Volkswagen Group.
1994 – Felicia becomes the first VW-era model.
1996 – Octavia Mk1 launches, transforming Škoda’s reputation.
1999 – Fabia Mk1 debuts.
2001 – Superb Mk1 launches.
2005 – Octavia Mk2, Superb Mk1, Fabia Mk1 dominate UK roads.
2010 – Yeti SUV launches.
2013 – Octavia Mk3.
2015 – Superb Mk3.
2016 – Kodiaq SUV.
2017 – Karoq SUV.
2019 – Scala and Kamiq.
2020 – Enyaq iV, Škoda’s first all-electric SUV.
2021 – Fabia Mk4.
2024 – New Superb Mk4 and Kodiaq Mk2 announced.
2025 – The Elroq, Škoda’s newest electric SUV, joins the range alongside the 75 plate launch.
The 75 plate is here, explore the latest Škoda range today.: