Family SUV · 2013–2021 cars
Skoda Kodiaq reliability
The Skoda Kodiaq fails 11% of first MOT tests, 30% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 87,391 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Skoda Kodiaq before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 11%
- 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
- 87,391
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 10,200
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Skoda Kodiaq ages
Each point is the share of Skoda Kodiaqs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Skoda Kodiaq | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 10% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 10.9% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 11.2% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 13% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 15.2% | 22.1% |
By year
The best and worst Skoda Kodiaq years
2018 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 Kodiaq | 3,644 | 10.5% | 19% fewer fails | 31,354 |
| 2020 Kodiaq | 14,687 | 10.5% | 22% fewer fails | 33,924 |
| 2019 Kodiaq | 24,145 | 11.4% | 22% fewer fails | 38,834 |
| 2018 Kodiaq | 25,208 | 10.3% | 37% fewer fails | 45,408 |
| 2017 Kodiaq | 19,704 | 11.9% | 36% fewer fails | 53,083 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Skoda Kodiaq
Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Tyres4%25% below avg
- Brakes2.5%18% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors1.6%53% below avg
- Lights and electrics1.6%60% below avg
- Suspension1.5%21% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks1%4% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.3%16% below avg
- Number plates and VIN0.2%10% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure0.2%70% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.21% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 2
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.15% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 0.94% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 0.86% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 5
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 0.72% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
- 6
Diesel engine warning light faulty 0.49% of tests
A lit or non-working engine warning light can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
- 7
Tyre ply or cords exposed 0.44% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 8
Brake pads worn to wear indicator 0.41% of tests
Pads worn to the indicator are at their limit, reducing braking and needing immediate replacement.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Skoda Kodiaq's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit9.44%
- Brake pads wearing thin9.04%
- Brake disc pitted or scored8.69%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking8.18%
- Child seat limits belt inspection4.19%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear4.07%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Skoda Kodiaq
- 1
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.
- 2
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.
- 3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 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 Kodiaq covers about 10,200 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
- Diesel52.1%
- Petrol47.9%
- LPG0%
Most common colours
Grey, Blue, Black, White, Silver
Average engine size: 1.8 litres.
Compare
How the Skoda Kodiaq 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 |
| Lexus NX | 9.2% | 47% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Skoda Kodiaq | 11% | 30% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Skoda Karoq | 9.6% | 30% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Suzuki Grand Vitara | 37.4% | 6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Vauxhall Antara | 42.5% | 33% 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 Kodiaq questions, answered
Is the Skoda Kodiaq reliable?
On MOT results, the Skoda Kodiaq is better than average: it fails 11% of first MOT tests, 30% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 12 of 59 family suv models in our index.
What fails most on a Skoda Kodiaq MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Skoda Kodiaq are brake pads worn below 1.5mm (1.21% of tests), tyre cut reaching ply or cords (1.15% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (0.94% of tests). By area, tyres fails 4% of its tests.
Which Skoda Kodiaq year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2018 cars do best (37% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2021 cars do worst (19% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Skoda Kodiaq do a year?
A typical Skoda Kodiaq covers about 10,200 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 Kodiaq 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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