To answer the initial question here is the earlier 16v 110 bhp 1.6 DV6 diesel
And here is the later 8v 115 bhp 1.6 DV6 diesel
The easiest way to tell the difference is that the earlier cars have 5 gears and the later ones 6.
I wouldn't avoid a 16v per say, I've had a couple, many people in the trade spread rumours that the DV6 is less reliable than it actually is to drive down trade in prices. If you service them properly using gravity and a level and planar surface to drain the oil and not a suction pump they should be fine. My last one did over 200,000 miles with no issues. My current 8 valver is on 128k now and doing really well.
That said, I have to agree the petrol models have a habit of being substantially more worry free!!
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2014 Skoda Octavia vRS with loads of toys!
ex 2012 V50 1.6D DRIVe SE Lux, 2008 XC70 D5 AWD SE Geartronic, 2004 S40 2.0D SE, 2008 C30 1.6 S & 2000 C70 2.0T