2003 Skoda Octavia · 6,025 MOT tests
2003 Skoda Octavia reliability
2003 Skoda Octavias fail 43.5% of first MOT tests, 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 17 of 21 Octavia years (6,025 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Skoda Octavias: 24.7%)
- 43.5%
- first-time fail rate (all Skoda Octavias: 24.7%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 4% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- 144,390
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 6,025
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2003 against the years either side
- 2002 cars: 8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does worse)
- 2004 cars: 5% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does worse)
- Weak spot: steering, 7.8% of tests fail here (44% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: seat belts and airbags, 33% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2003 car carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
Common problems
What fails on a 2003 Skoda Octavia
Fail rate by area
- Suspension18.1%
- Lights and electrics17.7%
- Brakes14.5%
- Body, chassis and structure9.9%
- Steering7.8%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks7.7%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.5%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Coil spring fractured or broken 5.11%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 3.85%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Stop lamp not working 3.78%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Position lamp not working 3.34%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 3.34%
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.82%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (18.36%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (17.24%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (11.42%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (10.62%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (10.37%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (9.86%)
Other years
Every Skoda Octavia year
The full picture: Skoda Octavia reliability. Before you pay for any Skoda Octavia, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2003 Skoda Octavia reliable?
2003 Skoda Octavias fail 43.5% of first MOT tests, 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 17 of 21 Octavia years (6,025 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2003 Skoda Octavia MOT?
Most often coil spring fractured or broken (5.11% of tests), suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn (3.85% of tests), stop lamp not working (3.78% of tests).
How many miles should a 2003 Skoda Octavia have done?
At its MOT aged about 19, a typical 2003 Skoda Octavia shows 144,390 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2003 car?
A car first registered in 2003 carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
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