Family hatchback · 1998–2021 cars

Skoda Octavia reliability

The Skoda Octavia fails 24.7% of first MOT tests, 16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 651,188 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Better than averageReliability score 65/100#13 of 65 family hatchbacks

Checking a Skoda Octavia before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 24.7%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 16% fewer; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 651,188; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 10,900; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The Skoda Octavia ranks 13 of 65 family hatchbacks for MOT results. Its first-time fail rate is 24.7%, against 28.4% for all cars. Across 651,188 tests, it has 16% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage. Cars from 2005 perform about average. Seat belts and airbags are the weak spot, with 10% more fails than comparable cars.

A good record doesn't mean you can skip the checks. Broken coil springs are the most common MOT failure, at 2.47% of tests, so check for fractures and uneven ride height. Check tyres for tread below 1.6mm and for exposed ply or cords. Brake pads worn below 1.5mm are also common. Check the seat belts and airbag warning light, and ask for the MOT history.

MOT fail rate by age

How the Skoda Octavia ages

Each point is the share of Skoda Octavias of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Skoda OctaviaAll cars

Skoda Octavia first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Skoda Octavia	All cars
3	11.6%	12.3%
4	12.7%	14.1%
5	14%	16.4%
6	16.6%	19.1%
7	18.5%	22.1%
8	20.5%	25.5%
9	24%	28.8%
10	28.2%	31.8%
11	32.8%	34.6%
12	35.4%	37.3%
13	37.6%	39.5%
14	39.8%	41.1%
15	41.4%	42.3%
16	43.8%	42.9%
17	45.1%	43.4%
18	45.7%	43.5%
19	42.5%	43.4%
20	42.5%	42.8%
21	41.6%	41.4%
22	42.7%	40.6%
23	42.3%	38.9%
24	50%	37.1%

By year

The best and worst Skoda Octavia years

2021 cars come out best and 2005 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Skoda Octavia MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021 Octavia	3,726	10.4%	29% fewer fails	37,632
2020 Octavia	19,071	12.3%	17% fewer fails	37,648
2019 Octavia	52,107	13.3%	17% fewer fails	43,639
2018 Octavia	56,999	12.9%	26% fewer fails	48,972
2017 Octavia	61,593	14.9%	26% fewer fails	59,910
2016 Octavia	69,043	17.1%	27% fewer fails	72,784
2015 Octavia	64,519	19.5%	28% fewer fails	85,599
2014 Octavia	57,755	21.7%	28% fewer fails	94,844
2013 Octavia	37,489	26%	21% fewer fails	101,960
2012 Octavia	37,699	32.4%	9% fewer fails	109,715
2011 Octavia	38,661	33.8%	11% fewer fails	107,769
2010 Octavia	32,652	36.7%	9% fewer fails	121,093
2009 Octavia	24,099	37.7%	10% fewer fails	123,012
2008 Octavia	20,781	41.7%	5% fewer fails	133,872
2007 Octavia	22,198	42.9%	4% fewer fails	138,162
2006 Octavia	19,280	44.7%	0% fewer fails	136,111
2005 Octavia	11,884	45.5%	0% more fails	139,595
2004 Octavia	7,759	43.3%	5% fewer fails	142,848
2003 Octavia	6,025	43.5%	4% fewer fails	144,390
2002 Octavia	4,046	41.2%	8% fewer fails	141,161
2001 Octavia	2,505	43%	1% fewer fails	137,141
2000	847	44.7%	7% more fails	133,645
1999	317	46.1%	14% more fails	135,881

Common problems

What fails most on a Skoda Octavia

Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Lights and electrics8.8%26% below avg
Suspension8.6%9% below avg
Tyres6.3%7% below avg
Brakes5.6%22% below avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks3%13% below avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors2.4%49% below avg
Body, chassis and structure2.3%34% below avg
Seat belts and airbags1.2%10% above avg
Steering0.7%64% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Coil spring fractured or broken 2.47% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.82% 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 1.69% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
4
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.53% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
5
Shock absorber serious fluid leak 1.41% of tests
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
6
Anti-roll bar linkage dust cover unsealed 1.3% of tests
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the linkage joint, speeding wear and possibly needing a future repair.
7
Position lamp not working 1.28% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
8
CV joint boot split or insecure 1.18% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Skoda Octavia's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit14.18%
Shock absorber light oil misting11.03%
Brake disc pitted or scored8.19%
Brake pads wearing thin7.37%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking6.89%
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear5.42%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Skoda Octavia

1
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
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
Tyre ply or cords exposed
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
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 Octavia covers about 10,900 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

Diesel66.9%
Petrol32.9%
Hybrid0.2%
LPG0%
Other0%
Electric0%

Most common colours

Blue, Grey, Silver, Black, White

Average engine size: 1.7 litres.

Compare

How the Skoda Octavia compares with its rivals

Skoda Octavia against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Toyota Prius	20.9%	31% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Skoda Octavia	24.7%	16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
SEAT Leon	23.2%	14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Toyota Auris	26.2%	11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Honda Civic	32.6%	4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Peugeot 308	35.2%	18% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Citroën C4	39.4%	30% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every family hatchback ranked in the family hatchback reliability index, or all Skoda models.

Questions

Skoda Octavia questions, answered

Is the Skoda Octavia reliable?

On MOT results, the Skoda Octavia is better than average: it fails 24.7% of first MOT tests, 16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 13 of 65 family hatchback models in our index.

What fails most on a Skoda Octavia MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Skoda Octavia are coil spring fractured or broken (2.47% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.82% of tests), brake pads worn below 1.5mm (1.69% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 8.8% of its tests.

Which Skoda Octavia year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2021 cars do best (29% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2005 cars do worst (about average for its age).

How many miles does a Skoda Octavia do a year?

A typical Skoda Octavia covers about 10,900 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 Octavia 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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