Family SUV · 2009–2018 cars

Skoda Yeti reliability

The Skoda Yeti fails 20.9% of first MOT tests, 19% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 242,557 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Better than averageReliability score 67/100#25 of 59 family suvs

Checking a Skoda Yeti before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 20.9%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 19% fewer; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 242,557; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 7,800; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The Skoda Yeti (2009 to 2018) ranks 25 of 59 family SUV models. Across 242,557 MOT tests from 2022 to 2024, 20.9% failed first time, against 28.4% for all cars. That is 19% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage. The 2013 model year did best, with 24% fewer fails than cars of the same age and mileage. The 2009 model year was weakest, with 10% fewer.

A good Yeti can be a sensible buy if you check the right things. Look closely at these common failures: coil spring fractured or broken (2.39% of tests), suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (1.7%), brake pads worn below 1.5mm (1.3%), and headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (1.14%). Ask for the MOT history, listen for knocks over bumps, and check the brake pads and headlights before you buy.

MOT fail rate by age

How the Skoda Yeti ages

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

Skoda YetiAll cars

Skoda Yeti first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Skoda Yeti	All cars
4	10.7%	14.1%
5	13%	16.4%
6	15.1%	19.1%
7	17.4%	22.1%
8	19.6%	25.5%
9	22.1%	28.8%
10	25%	31.8%
11	28.9%	34.6%
12	31.7%	37.3%
13	35%	39.5%
14	37%	41.1%

By year

The best and worst Skoda Yeti years

2013 cars come out best and 2009 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Skoda Yeti MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2017 Yeti	35,524	13.6%	18% fewer fails	38,634
2016 Yeti	41,478	16.3%	16% fewer fails	46,865
2015 Yeti	40,194	18.8%	18% fewer fails	56,246
2014 Yeti	39,607	20.6%	22% fewer fails	65,264
2013 Yeti	33,132	22.9%	24% fewer fails	76,032
2012 Yeti	21,663	27.7%	18% fewer fails	87,202
2011 Yeti	16,855	29.9%	18% fewer fails	90,915
2010 Yeti	12,161	34.2%	12% fewer fails	97,747
2009 Yeti	1,810	36.9%	10% fewer fails	105,523

Common problems

What fails most on a Skoda Yeti

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

Fail rate by area

Suspension7.6%1% above avg
Lights and electrics6.3%31% below avg
Tyres4.4%30% below avg
Brakes4.3%21% below avg
Body, chassis and structure1.8%24% below avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors1.8%56% below avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.7%27% below avg
Seat belts and airbags0.5%15% below avg
Steering0.4%76% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Coil spring fractured or broken 2.39% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
2
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 1.7% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
3
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.3% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
4
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 1.14% of tests
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
5
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.13% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
6
Position lamp not working 1.1% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
7
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 0.99% 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 0.93% 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 Yeti's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit10.95%
Shock absorber light oil misting9.43%
Brake disc pitted or scored9.4%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking8.21%
Brake pads wearing thin6.25%
Suspension arm showing corrosion2.95%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Skoda Yeti

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
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
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
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
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 Yeti covers about 7,800 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

Diesel58.2%
Petrol41.8%
Electric0%

Most common colours

White, Grey, Blue, Silver, Black

Average engine size: 1.6 litres.

Compare

How the Skoda Yeti compares with its rivals

Skoda Yeti against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Mercedes-Benz GLC	11.3%	33% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Jaguar F-Pace	13.4%	24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Skoda Yeti	20.9%	19% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Mazda CX-5	18%	15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Mitsubishi Outlander	21.9%	11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Nissan X-Trail	29.3%	6% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Renault Kadjar	20.8%	19% 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 Yeti questions, answered

Is the Skoda Yeti reliable?

On MOT results, the Skoda Yeti is better than average: it fails 20.9% of first MOT tests, 19% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 25 of 59 family suv models in our index.

What fails most on a Skoda Yeti MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Skoda Yeti are coil spring fractured or broken (2.39% of tests), suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn (1.7% of tests), brake pads worn below 1.5mm (1.3% of tests). By area, suspension fails 7.6% of its tests.

Which Skoda Yeti year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2013 cars do best (24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2009 cars do worst (10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Skoda Yeti do a year?

A typical Skoda Yeti covers about 7,800 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 Yeti 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.

Found a Skoda Yeti? Check it free.

MOT history, mileage record, ULEZ, tax and recalls on any UK car, in seconds. No sign-up, no card.