City car · 2011–2021 cars
Skoda Citigo reliability
The Skoda Citigo fails 18.8% of first MOT tests, 5% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 162,809 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Skoda Citigo before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 18.8%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 5% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 162,809
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 5,800
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
What this means for buyers
The Skoda Citigo is a sound pick for a city car. Its first-time MOT fail rate is 18.8%, against 28.4% for all cars. Against cars of the same age and mileage, it has 5% fewer MOT fails, and it ranks 5 of 43 city car models. Year matters, though. The 2012 cars did best, with 22% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage. The 2016 cars were weakest, with 26% more MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage.
Check the body, chassis and structure closely. This area sees 33% more fails than cars of the same age and mileage, so look for rust and damage underneath. Then check the common faults: wipers that do not clear the windscreen (2.5% of tests), a position lamp not working (1.5%), headlamp aim set too low (1.4%), and tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.3%).
MOT fail rate by age
How the Skoda Citigo ages
Each point is the share of Skoda Citigos of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Skoda Citigo | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 9.1% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 12.4% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 15.6% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 18.9% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 20.7% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 20.7% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 20.6% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 21.8% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 24.1% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 25.7% | 37.3% |
By year
The best and worst Skoda Citigo years
2012 cars come out best and 2016 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 434 | 9.2% | 8% fewer fails | 14,524 |
| 2019 Citigo | 11,142 | 9.3% | 18% fewer fails | 21,243 |
| 2018 Citigo | 16,666 | 13.4% | 8% more fails | 23,856 |
| 2017 Citigo | 20,208 | 16.8% | 14% more fails | 30,222 |
| 2016 Citigo | 24,955 | 21.8% | 26% more fails | 36,538 |
| 2015 Citigo | 25,765 | 20.1% | 0% fewer fails | 41,976 |
| 2014 Citigo | 29,259 | 20.4% | 15% fewer fails | 51,643 |
| 2013 Citigo | 22,391 | 21% | 20% fewer fails | 54,795 |
| 2012 Citigo | 11,970 | 22.2% | 22% fewer fails | 57,794 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Skoda Citigo
Its weak spot is body, chassis and structure: 33% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics6.5%7% above avg
- Brakes4.4%16% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.2%18% above avg
- Tyres3.5%30% below avg
- Suspension2.3%53% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure1.8%33% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.5%6% above avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.4%5% above avg
- Steering0.1%87% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.5% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 2
Position lamp not working 1.5% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 3
Headlamp aim set too low 1.4% of tests
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
- 4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.3% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 5
Service brake excessively binding 1.16% of tests
A brake that drags when released can overheat, wear quickly and waste fuel, so it needs prompt inspection.
- 6
Fuel filler cap ineffective 1.07% of tests
A faulty fuel cap can let fuel vapour escape and may trigger warning lights, so a replacement is usually simple.
- 7
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 0.83% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
- 8
Registration plate lamp not working 0.83% of tests
A dark number plate lamp makes the plate hard to read at night, which is illegal and must be fixed.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Skoda Citigo's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking12.62%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit10.38%
- Brake disc pitted or scored5.15%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear3.49%
- Brake pads wearing thin3.47%
- Brake discs showing some wear2.35%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Skoda Citigo
- 1
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 2
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 3
Headlamp aim set too low
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
- 4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Skoda Citigo covers about 5,800 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Petrol99.7%
- Electric0.3%
- Diesel0%
Most common colours
Red, White, Silver, Black, Blue
Average engine size: 1.0 litres.
Compare
How the Skoda Citigo compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Skoda Citigo | 18.8% | 5% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Vauxhall Viva | 15.6% | about average for its age |
| Peugeot 108 | 17.3% | 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Smart Fortwo | 20.8% | 7% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Vauxhall Agila | 37.4% | 18% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Suzuki Alto | 33.4% | 20% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Vauxhall Adam | 27.2% | 32% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every city car ranked in the city car reliability index, or all Skoda models.
Questions
Skoda Citigo questions, answered
Is the Skoda Citigo reliable?
On MOT results, the Skoda Citigo is about average: it fails 18.8% of first MOT tests, 5% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 5 of 43 city car models in our index.
What fails most on a Skoda Citigo MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Skoda Citigo are wiper blade not clearing windscreen (2.5% of tests), position lamp not working (1.5% of tests), headlamp aim set too low (1.4% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 6.5% of its tests.
Which Skoda Citigo year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2012 cars do best (22% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2016 cars do worst (26% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Skoda Citigo do a year?
A typical Skoda Citigo covers about 5,800 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Skoda Citigo before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
Found a Skoda Citigo? Check it free.
MOT history, mileage record, ULEZ, tax and recalls on any UK car, in seconds. No sign-up, no card.