Small car · 2005–2016 cars
Skoda Roomster reliability
The Skoda Roomster fails 33.2% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, based on 62,285 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Skoda Roomster before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 33.2%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 1% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 62,285
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 6,800
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Skoda Roomster ages
Each point is the share of Skoda Roomsters of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Skoda Roomster | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 14.2% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 17.3% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 19% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 23.3% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 26.4% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 30.7% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 33.9% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 39.8% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 45.1% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 48.6% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 49.4% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 52.2% | 43.4% |
By year
The best and worst Skoda Roomster years
2015 cars come out best and 2006 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 Roomster | 5,634 | 17.9% | 19% fewer fails | 50,313 |
| 2014 Roomster | 9,069 | 21.1% | 14% fewer fails | 54,571 |
| 2013 Roomster | 8,856 | 24.3% | 14% fewer fails | 63,445 |
| 2012 Roomster | 7,847 | 29.9% | 6% fewer fails | 72,635 |
| 2011 Roomster | 5,237 | 31.4% | 9% fewer fails | 77,929 |
| 2010 Roomster | 4,339 | 34.7% | 8% fewer fails | 88,528 |
| 2009 Roomster | 3,856 | 42.9% | 9% more fails | 92,366 |
| 2008 Roomster | 7,261 | 46.6% | 11% more fails | 100,166 |
| 2007 Roomster | 8,715 | 49.2% | 14% more fails | 106,921 |
| 2006 Roomster | 1,456 | 52.5% | 19% more fails | 114,355 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Skoda Roomster
Its weak spot is body, chassis and structure: 52% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics13.9%1% below avg
- Suspension11%7% below avg
- Brakes8.3%4% above avg
- Tyres6.9%2% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure6.7%52% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3.8%26% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.2%16% below avg
- Steering2.7%14% above avg
- Seat belts and airbags1.3%16% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Position lamp not working 3.9% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
CV joint boot split or insecure 3.64% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 3
Coil spring fractured or broken 3.05% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 4
Stop lamp not working 2.31% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 5
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 2.23% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
- 6
Direction indicator wrong colour 1.91% of tests
An indicator showing the wrong colour may confuse other drivers, so the lens or bulb should be replaced.
- 7
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.85% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 8
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.84% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Skoda Roomster's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit15.25%
- Brake disc pitted or scored14.71%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking9.52%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear7.85%
- Brake pads wearing thin5.68%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive5.29%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Skoda Roomster
- 1
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.
- 2
CV joint boot split or insecure
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 3
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 4
Stop lamp not working
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 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 Roomster covers about 6,800 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
- Petrol61.7%
- Diesel38.3%
- LPG0%
Most common colours
Blue, Silver, Grey, Beige, Black
Average engine size: 1.4 litres.
Compare
How the Skoda Roomster compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| BMW i3 | 11.7% | 28% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Skoda Roomster | 33.2% | about average for its age |
| Nissan Almera | 44.5% | 8% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Alfa Romeo Mito | 36.9% | 16% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Suzuki Splash | 35.4% | 23% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Fiat 500L | 33.7% | 30% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| MG 3 | 23.4% | 44% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every small car ranked in the small car reliability index, or all Skoda models.
Questions
Skoda Roomster questions, answered
Is the Skoda Roomster reliable?
On MOT results, the Skoda Roomster is about average: it fails 33.2% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage. It ranks 14 of 63 small car models in our index.
What fails most on a Skoda Roomster MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Skoda Roomster are position lamp not working (3.9% of tests), cv joint boot split or insecure (3.64% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (3.05% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 13.9% of its tests.
Which Skoda Roomster year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2015 cars do best (19% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2006 cars do worst (19% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Skoda Roomster do a year?
A typical Skoda Roomster covers about 6,800 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 Roomster 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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