Family SUV · 2017–2021 cars
Skoda Karoq reliability
The Skoda Karoq fails 9.6% of first MOT tests, 30% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 110,145 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Skoda Karoq before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 9.6%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 30% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 110,145
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 8,500
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Skoda Karoq ages
Each point is the share of Skoda Karoqs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Skoda Karoq | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 9.1% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 9.6% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 10.1% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 12.1% | 19.1% |
By year
The best and worst Skoda Karoq years
2019 cars come out best and 2021 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Karoq | 4,536 | 10.2% | 13% fewer fails | 26,397 |
| 2020 Karoq | 20,862 | 10% | 19% fewer fails | 28,775 |
| 2019 Karoq | 36,932 | 8.9% | 34% fewer fails | 32,819 |
| 2018 Karoq | 47,537 | 9.8% | 33% fewer fails | 36,144 |
| 2017 | 278 | 14.7% | 11% fewer fails | 40,764 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Skoda Karoq
Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Tyres4%16% below avg
- Lights and electrics1.9%40% below avg
- Brakes1.5%39% below avg
- Suspension1.2%4% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors1.2%63% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks0.4%48% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.3%9% above avg
- Wheels0.1%50% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure0.1%69% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.29% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 0.9% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 3
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 0.77% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 0.75% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 5
Shock absorber serious fluid leak 0.6% of tests
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
- 6
Headlamp aim set too high 0.5% of tests
Headlamps aimed too high can dazzle other drivers, and adjusting them is usually a quick job.
- 7
Tyre ply or cords exposed 0.45% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 8
Headlamp aim set too low 0.45% of tests
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Skoda Karoq's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit9.29%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking8.66%
- Brake pads wearing thin6.94%
- Shock absorber light oil misting6.89%
- Brake disc pitted or scored4.95%
- Child seat limits belt inspection2.91%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Skoda Karoq
- 1
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 3
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 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 Karoq covers about 8,500 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
- Petrol68%
- Diesel32%
Most common colours
Grey, Blue, White, Black, Silver
Average engine size: 1.5 litres.
Compare
How the Skoda Karoq compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Porsche Macan | 7.6% | 58% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Skoda Karoq | 9.6% | 30% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Skoda Kodiaq | 11% | 30% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| SEAT Ateca | 11% | 30% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Kia Sorento | 30.2% | about average for its age |
| Hyundai Santa Fe | 32.5% | 4% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Peugeot 5008 | 33.1% | 38% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every family suv ranked in the family suv reliability index, or all Skoda models.
Questions
Skoda Karoq questions, answered
Is the Skoda Karoq reliable?
On MOT results, the Skoda Karoq is better than average: it fails 9.6% of first MOT tests, 30% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 11 of 59 family suv models in our index.
What fails most on a Skoda Karoq MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Skoda Karoq are tyre cut reaching ply or cords (1.29% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (0.9% of tests), brake pads worn below 1.5mm (0.77% of tests). By area, tyres fails 4% of its tests.
Which Skoda Karoq year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2019 cars do best (34% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2021 cars do worst (13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Skoda Karoq do a year?
A typical Skoda Karoq covers about 8,500 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 Karoq 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.
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