Skoda Octavia: what fails at MOT
271,000 MOT tests on the Skoda Octavia in 2024, counted. 23.3% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
23.3% of Skoda Octavia tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 24.9%, so the Octavia is about average for its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (5.8% of tests), suspension (5.7% of tests) and tyres (4.5% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 12,831 | 9.6% | 10.9% | 34,300 23,900 to 48,400 |
| 2020 | 16,606 | 12.1% | 11.5% | 38,200 26,800 to 56,500 |
| 2019 | 26,881 | 13.9% | 13.4% | 49,400 34,900 to 73,600 |
| 2018 | 23,159 | 14.3% | 15.6% | 58,000 42,300 to 83,900 |
| 2017 | 24,338 | 16.3% | 18.2% | 69,600 50,900 to 99,300 |
| 2016 | 27,252 | 17.9% | 21.3% | 81,900 60,500 to 115,000 |
| 2015 | 25,127 | 20.1% | 24.4% | 94,300 70,100 to 128,600 |
| 2014 | 22,761 | 22.6% | 27.7% | 102,900 78,600 to 135,300 |
| 2013 | 14,314 | 27.2% | 30.6% | 109,500 83,500 to 143,700 |
| 2012 | 13,893 | 33.1% | 33.4% | 116,000 87,900 to 150,800 |
| 2011 | 14,175 | 35.0% | 36.1% | 114,200 87,300 to 146,000 |
| 2010 | 11,931 | 37.0% | 38.6% | 127,100 97,300 to 157,800 |
| 2009 | 8,881 | 37.9% | 39.8% | 128,000 99,200 to 159,200 |
| 2008 | 7,543 | 41.3% | 41.5% | 139,300 109,600 to 171,600 |
| 2007 | 7,826 | 44.0% | 41.5% | 142,500 112,800 to 173,000 |
| 2006 | 6,787 | 45.1% | 42.4% | 139,100 108,500 to 171,600 |
| 2005 | 4,084 | 44.7% | 42.2% | 141,000 110,500 to 173,700 |
| 2004 | 2,541 | 40.9% | 42.3% | 146,100 113,200 to 178,200 |
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 Octavia tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Octavia | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 5.8% | 6.5% |
| Suspension | 5.7% | 5.2% |
| Tyres | 4.5% | 4.1% |
| Brakes | 3.9% | 4.0% |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.9% | 1.8% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen Less than most | 1.6% | 2.8% |
| Body and structure | 1.5% | 1.9% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.8% | 0.5% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre3.3%
- Headlamp aim2.4%
- Coil spring1.7%
- Brake pads1.5%
- Tyre tread1.5%
- Footbrake1.2%
- Engine warning light1.2%
- Shock absorbers1.2%
- Linkage ball joint dust cover1.0%
- Side light1.0%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Coil spring: fractured or broken1.7%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.4%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.4%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed1.2%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.2%
- Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak1.1%
- Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.0%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.0%
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect1.0%
- Footbrake: excessively binding0.9%
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 tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge12.9%
- Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil9.1%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened6.7%
- Brake pads: wearing thin6.1%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing5.7%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement4.8%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive2.5%
- Footbrake: binding but not excessively2.3%
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?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a Skoda Octavia's own MOT record
Looking at a Octavia? Type its registration to 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.