Skoda Roomster: what fails at MOT
23,000 MOT tests on the Skoda Roomster in 2024, counted. 35.1% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
35% of Skoda Roomster tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 34.4%, so the Roomster is about average for its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (10.7% of tests), suspension (9.1% of tests) and brakes (7% of tests). It fails on body and structure 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 2,190 | 20.2% | 24.4% | 55,600 39,000 to 75,400 |
| 2014 | 3,518 | 24.0% | 27.7% | 60,700 42,200 to 79,800 |
| 2013 | 3,439 | 26.8% | 30.6% | 68,400 49,800 to 91,700 |
| 2012 | 2,901 | 33.0% | 33.4% | 78,100 56,200 to 101,300 |
| 2011 | 1,899 | 34.2% | 36.1% | 82,800 61,200 to 106,500 |
| 2010 | 1,542 | 38.5% | 38.6% | 94,200 66,800 to 120,900 |
| 2009 | 1,406 | 43.5% | 39.8% | 97,500 70,000 to 125,000 |
| 2008 | 2,569 | 47.5% | 41.5% | 105,500 79,400 to 130,500 |
| 2007 | 3,160 | 50.3% | 41.5% | 109,500 84,600 to 138,000 |
| 2006 | 476 | 55.9% | 42.4% | 117,900 96,400 to 147,100 |
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 Roomster tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Roomster | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 10.7% | 10.4% |
| Suspension | 9.1% | 8.8% |
| Brakes | 7.0% | 6.0% |
| Tyres | 5.5% | 4.8% |
| Body and structure More than most | 5.5% | 3.3% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 2.9% | 3.6% |
| Exhaust and emissions | 2.4% | 2.9% |
| Steering | 2.2% | 1.9% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre4.3%
- Driveshaft joint3.5%
- Side light3.4%
- Suspension pins and bushes2.8%
- Footbrake2.6%
- Coil spring2.4%
- Headlamp aim2.2%
- Headlamp2.1%
- Brake light2.0%
- Tyre tread1.8%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.4%
- Side light: not working3.3%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.6%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken2.4%
- Brake light: not working1.9%
- Footbrake: excessively binding1.9%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.7%
- Indicators: incorrect colour1.6%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed1.5%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.5%
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 edge14.4%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened12.8%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement8.5%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing8.0%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive5.4%
- Brake pads: wearing thin4.7%
- Footbrake: binding but not excessively4.1%
- Play in steering rack inner joint(s)3.8%
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
- “Is there any corrosion underneath or around the sills and arches?”
- “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?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a Skoda Roomster's own MOT record
Looking at a Roomster? 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.