Skoda Superb: what fails at MOT
90,000 MOT tests on the Skoda Superb in 2024, counted. 20.7% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
20.5% of Skoda Superb tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 21.1%, so the Superb is about average for its age.
It fails most often on suspension (5.6% of tests), tyres (5.2% of tests) and lights and electrics (3.8% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,866 | 13.8% | 10.9% | 37,000 23,900 to 56,100 |
| 2020 | 7,652 | 13.0% | 11.5% | 43,900 29,900 to 65,000 |
| 2019 | 9,777 | 14.5% | 13.4% | 53,700 37,700 to 80,000 |
| 2018 | 11,450 | 14.7% | 15.6% | 65,500 46,000 to 91,900 |
| 2017 | 12,626 | 17.2% | 18.2% | 76,200 55,900 to 106,900 |
| 2016 | 11,453 | 17.9% | 21.3% | 84,800 62,400 to 117,900 |
| 2015 | 6,276 | 25.1% | 24.4% | 101,100 73,100 to 144,000 |
| 2014 | 6,114 | 27.5% | 27.7% | 108,600 80,200 to 145,400 |
| 2013 | 4,919 | 28.9% | 30.6% | 113,200 83,800 to 151,000 |
| 2012 | 5,126 | 33.1% | 33.4% | 120,000 89,900 to 159,000 |
| 2011 | 3,600 | 34.7% | 36.1% | 126,500 97,300 to 159,900 |
| 2010 | 2,457 | 35.4% | 38.6% | 133,600 105,400 to 168,900 |
| 2009 | 1,195 | 36.1% | 39.8% | 132,300 101,000 to 165,400 |
| 2008 | 435 | 34.0% | 41.5% | 134,800 108,800 to 160,600 |
| 2005 | 311 | 36.7% | 42.2% | 153,000 110,600 to 214,500 |
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 Superb tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Superb | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 5.6% | 3.8% | More than most |
| Tyres | 5.2% | 3.9% | More than most |
| Lights and electrics | 3.8% | 4.9% | |
| Brakes | 2.5% | 3.1% | |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.3% | 1.3% | |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 1.3% | 2.4% | Less than most |
| Body and structure | 0.7% | 1.2% | |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.5% | 0.4% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre3.9%
- Shock absorbers1.8%
- Headlamp aim1.7%
- Tyre tread1.4%
- Coil spring1.3%
- Suspension pins and bushes1.3%
- Engine warning light1.1%
- Brake pads1.0%
- Wipers0.7%
- Footbrake0.6%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak1.7%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed1.4%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.4%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken1.3%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.3%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.2%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.1%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.9%
- Headlamp aim: too low0.8%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively0.7%
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 edge12.7%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened8.1%
- Brake pads: wearing thin5.4%
- Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil5.2%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing3.7%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement3.0%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive1.6%
- Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt1.6%
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 Superb'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.