Skoda Rapid: what fails at MOT
28,000 MOT tests on the Skoda Rapid in 2024, counted. 25.5% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
25.3% of Skoda Rapid tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 23.4%, so the Rapid is about average for its age.
It fails most often on suspension (7.2% of tests), tyres (5.6% of tests) and lights and electrics (4.8% of tests). It fails on suspension and tyres more often than most cars its age.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 569 | 11.6% | 13.4% | 38,700 29,200 to 50,700 |
| 2018 | 2,468 | 20.5% | 15.6% | 45,400 34,400 to 60,500 |
| 2017 | 4,709 | 23.4% | 18.2% | 58,000 42,700 to 76,800 |
| 2016 | 5,252 | 24.9% | 21.3% | 69,200 50,100 to 91,500 |
| 2015 | 4,070 | 25.3% | 24.4% | 72,800 54,000 to 97,400 |
| 2014 | 6,828 | 27.2% | 27.7% | 79,300 57,500 to 102,400 |
| 2013 | 3,809 | 30.3% | 30.6% | 85,400 63,100 to 113,700 |
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 Rapid tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Rapid | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 7.2% | 4.5% | More than most |
| Tyres | 5.6% | 4.2% | More than most |
| Lights and electrics | 4.8% | 5.5% | |
| Brakes | 4.1% | 3.6% | |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 2.3% | 2.5% | |
| Body and structure | 1.9% | 1.4% | |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.4% | 1.5% | |
| Steering | 0.4% | 1.0% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre3.9%
- Suspension pins and bushes3.9%
- Headlamp aim2.1%
- Tyre tread1.9%
- Brake pads1.6%
- Headlamp1.5%
- Brake discs1.4%
- Wipers1.3%
- Footbrake1.2%
- Coil spring1.1%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.5%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.8%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.4%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.3%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.2%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed1.2%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.2%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken1.1%
- Brake discs: significantly and obviously worn1.0%
- Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak0.9%
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 edge13.6%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened11.3%
- Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil10.1%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement8.8%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing7.7%
- Brake pads: wearing thin6.2%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive2.7%
- Brake discs: worn, but not excessively2.6%
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
- “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?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a Skoda Rapid'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.