Skoda Citigo: what fails at MOT
62,000 MOT tests on the Skoda Citigo in 2024, counted. 20% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
20.1% of Skoda Citigo tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 23.3%, so the Citigo does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (5.3% of tests), brakes (4% of tests) and tyres (2.8% of tests).
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 387 | 8.5% | 11.5% | 14,500 11,400 to 25,300 |
| 2019 | 5,428 | 10.2% | 13.4% | 24,500 16,400 to 35,300 |
| 2018 | 5,893 | 14.5% | 15.6% | 29,200 18,800 to 41,600 |
| 2017 | 7,594 | 17.8% | 18.2% | 35,700 23,600 to 50,400 |
| 2016 | 9,325 | 23.8% | 21.3% | 41,500 29,200 to 56,800 |
| 2015 | 9,579 | 21.4% | 24.4% | 46,800 32,900 to 63,800 |
| 2014 | 10,845 | 22.0% | 27.7% | 57,300 39,900 to 76,800 |
| 2013 | 8,272 | 22.5% | 30.6% | 59,900 41,600 to 80,300 |
| 2012 | 4,375 | 24.4% | 33.4% | 62,000 44,100 to 84,100 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Skoda Citigo tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Citigo | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 5.3% | 5.6% | |
| Brakes | 4.0% | 3.5% | |
| Tyres | 2.8% | 4.2% | Less than most |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 2.8% | 2.5% | |
| Suspension | 2.3% | 4.5% | Less than most |
| Body and structure | 1.5% | 1.4% | |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.4% | 1.5% | |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.3% | 0.4% |
The parts that fail most
- Footbrake2.1%
- Headlamp aim2.0%
- Seat belt1.8%
- Wipers1.7%
- Side light1.3%
- Suspension pins and bushes1.2%
- Tyre tread1.1%
- Exhaust emissions1.1%
- Washers1.0%
- Number plate light1.0%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.6%
- Footbrake: excessively binding1.6%
- Side light: not working1.2%
- Headlamp aim: too low1.2%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.1%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.1%
- Fuel cap/sealing device: ineffective0.9%
- Number plate light: inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps0.9%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam0.8%
- Exhaust emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits0.8%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing10.7%
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge9.9%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened4.9%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement4.3%
- Brake pads: wearing thin3.0%
- Footbrake: binding but not excessively2.7%
- Brake discs: worn, but not excessively2.2%
- Play in steering rack inner joint(s)1.2%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Do the wipers and washers work properly, and is the windscreen chipped or cracked?”
Check a Skoda Citigo's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.