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Reliability
Are Skodas reliable? Common problems, MOT data, and full history checks for used Skoda vehicles.
76.1% MOT pass rate based on 781,000 tests.
Common faults and reliability ranked across 12 Skoda models.
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Are Skoda cars reliable?
Skoda vs other premium brands
Skoda vehicles pass their MOT at 76.1%, four points above the national average of 71.9% and ahead of mainstream rivals like Kia and Toyota. Sister VW Group brand Volkswagen sits at 72.8%, so the Skoda badge outperforms VW despite sharing the same platforms and engines. Kia (74.7%), Toyota (74.6%), and Hyundai (73.5%) are the closest peers.
The Skoda range is anchored by the Fabia (213,000 tests) and Octavia (172,000 tests). The Fabia passes at 70% and the Octavia at 74%. The Karoq and Kodiaq SUVs are the range highlights, both passing at 87-89%.
Reliability data shows part of the picture. A vehicle history check reveals the rest, including outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-offs, and mileage discrepancies.
What is the Skoda MOT pass rate by age?
Pass rate at each vehicle age, from 3 to 20 years old. National average shown for comparison.
Skoda pass rates sit above the national average from age 3 through 15, and hold the lead through most of the vehicle's life. At age 3, Skodas pass at 87.9% vs 87.5% nationally. By age 10 the lead widens to 73.9% vs 69.7%, and by age 12 to 68.8% vs 64.1%.
From around age 16 onward the pattern reverses. By age 20, Skodas pass at 53.9% vs 56.9% nationally.
What are the most common Skoda faults?
Top 10 MOT failure categories for Skoda, ranked by the share of failed tests they were found on. National percentage shown alongside.
Top 5 specific Skoda failure reasons
These are the specific MOT examiner findings most frequently recorded on Skoda vehicles, along with what they mean.
- Not working (found on 14.09% of failed Skoda tests)
A lamp, indicator, or electrical component that has completely stopped functioning. Usually a blown bulb or faulty sensor.
- Pin or bush excessively worn (found on 9.87% of failed Skoda tests)
The metal pins or rubber bushes that connect suspension components have worn past their safe tolerance, creating play in the joint.
- Fractured or broken (found on 8.61% of failed Skoda tests)
A suspension arm, spring, or bracket has snapped or cracked. The affected part must be replaced before the vehicle is roadworthy.
- Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (found on 7.19% of failed Skoda tests)
One or more tyres worn below the legal minimum tread depth. The legal limit is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre.
- Ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (found on 6.77% of failed Skoda tests)
A different examiner phrasing for the same split ball-joint boot. The joint is at risk of premature wear once dirt gets in.
Skoda's failure profile is broadly national, with two tilts. Suspension is found on 34.9% of failed Skoda tests vs 32.4% nationally, and tyres on 24.5% vs 22.6%. Lamps and electrical faults, found on 31.2% of failed tests, are notably below the national 38.2%, which may reflect the newer average age of the Skoda fleet on UK roads.
Which Skoda models are most reliable?
Top 15 Skoda models ranked by MOT test volume. Pass rate shown for each. Green bars beat the national average of 71.9%. Red bars sit below it.
| Model | Tests | Pass rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skoda Fabia | 212,767 | 69.6% | Suspension |
| Skoda Octavia | 171,988 | 74.0% | Suspension |
| Skoda Yeti | 72,767 | 73.7% | Suspension |
| Skoda Superb | 54,331 | 76.1% | Suspension |
| Skoda Citigo | 50,337 | 77.8% | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment |
| Skoda Karoq | 49,726 | 88.8% | Tyres |
| Skoda Kodiaq | 36,918 | 86.8% | Tyres |
| Skoda Rapid | 20,700 | 72.3% | Suspension |
| Skoda Roomster | 16,887 | 63.4% | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment |
| Skoda Scala | 8,371 | 86.8% | Tyres |
| Skoda Kamiq Se Tsi | 5,441 | 88.3% | Brakes |
| Skoda Enyaq Iv 60 | 5,409 | 88.1% | Tyres |
Among Skoda models with more than 20,000 tests, the Karoq (88.8%) and Kodiaq (86.8%) SUVs have the highest pass rates. The Citigo city car sits at 77.8%, followed by the Superb (76.1%), Octavia (74.0%), Yeti (73.7%), and Rapid (72.3%). The high-volume Fabia (69.6%) passes just below national. The older Roomster at 63.4% is the weakest in the range.
How many miles do Skoda vehicles typically cover?
Average recorded mileage at each MOT test, by vehicle age. National average shown for comparison.
Skoda mileage tracks above the national average at every age. At age 3, Skodas average 36,000 miles vs 34,000 nationally. At age 10, 87,000 vs 83,000, and by age 20 the gap is 121,000 vs 109,000. Skodas frequently see fleet and long-distance use, which shows in the higher-than-average mileage curve.
Our Premium Vehicle Reports compare the recorded mileage at every MOT test to flag discrepancies. A drop in recorded mileage between two tests is a strong signal that the odometer may have been tampered with.
Are there any Skoda safety recalls?
Safety recalls are issued by Skoda when a manufacturing defect could affect the safety of the vehicle. The DVSA records every UK recall and links it to affected vehicle identification numbers (VINs). Recalls are free for the owner to have fixed at a franchised dealer.
Recall lists change over time as new issues are identified and old ones are resolved. For that reason we do not maintain a static list here. When you check a Skoda via Brumble, the report shows any outstanding manufacturer safety recalls that still need action on that specific vehicle.
How do you check a Skoda's full history?
Before you buy any used Skoda, a full history check protects you from problems that a physical inspection would miss. Here is what a Premium Vehicle Report from Brumble covers.
Has this Skoda been written off?
An insurance write-off means the car has been declared uneconomical to repair after an accident, fire, or flood. The report shows the category (Cat A, B, N, or S), the date, and the cause. Cat A and B are permanently unroadworthy. Cat N and S can legally return to the road but often carry hidden damage and are worth significantly less.
Is there outstanding finance on this Skoda?
If the previous owner has an active HP, PCP, or loan agreement secured against the car, the finance company legally owns it until the balance is paid off. Buying a car with outstanding finance means the finance company can repossess it, even after you have paid the seller in full. The report checks with Experian for any active finance agreements.
Has this Skoda been reported stolen?
The Police National Computer records stolen vehicles. The report checks the PNC for any active stolen marker. Buying a stolen vehicle means the police can seize it and return it to the rightful owner, with no compensation.
Has the mileage been tampered with?
Every MOT test records the current mileage. The report shows the full mileage history from every recorded test and flags any drops or unusually flat periods. A drop between tests is a strong signal the odometer has been clocked. A car worth £15,000 with 60,000 miles on the clock might be worth £10,000 if the true mileage is 120,000.
Has this Skoda been used as a taxi or private hire vehicle?
Ex-taxis and private hire vehicles have typically covered high mileage under harder use than a private car of the same age. Insurers may view them as higher risk, and resale value is significantly lower. The report checks whether the vehicle has ever been registered as a taxi or private hire vehicle.
What is this Skoda worth?
The report includes current trade, retail, and private-sale valuations based on the vehicle's make, model, trim, mileage, and condition. Use it to check whether the asking price is fair before you negotiate.
Check any Skoda's full history for £9.99. No subscription.
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What should you check before buying a used Skoda?
Four practical steps before you hand over any money.
- 1
Check the MOT history
Every UK vehicle has a free MOT test history showing every pass, fail, advisory, and recorded mileage. Use the Brumble MOT checker to see what previous inspections found.
- 2
Check the vehicle's full history
A Premium Vehicle Report covers outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-offs, mileage discrepancies, safety recalls, and valuation. £9.99, no subscription.
- 3
Compare insurance before you commit
Skoda insurance groups vary widely by model and trim. Get a car insurance quote before you buy to avoid nasty surprises after the sale.
- 4
Check the tax status
Confirm the car is currently taxed, or you may not be able to drive it away. The Brumble tax checker shows current tax status and when tax is next due.
Skoda Reliability FAQs
Source: Brumble analysis of DVSA anonymised MOT test data, 2025, Great Britain (published June 2026). First MOT test of the year for each class 4 vehicle, with 5,000+ tests per model. Published under Open Government Licence v3.0.