Skoda Octavia MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 207,348 MOT tests on the Skoda Octavia carried out in 2023. 24% failed at the first attempt, which is noticeably below the 29% average across all cars in the same data. Put another way, about 8 in 10 Octavias passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 1999 to 2023. Compared with other cars of the same age, 2014 models did best (78% passed, +6.2 points against the average for 9-year-old cars), while 1999 models fared worst (47%, −15.5 points). Tested cars had covered 94,122 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was lights and electrics, found on 8.7% of tests (slightly below the 11.3% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "not working", on 3.3% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 207,348
- First-time pass rate
- 76%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- +4.3 points
- Average mileage at test
- 94,122
- All cars: 73,145
Checking a particular Octavia?
See its own MOT history, advisories and mileage for free.
Octavia MOT pass rate by year
Older cars fail more often, so each year is compared with all cars of the same age. Bars above the dashed line did better than average for their age.
| First registered | Tests | Pass rate | All cars, same age | Difference | Avg mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 133 | 100% | 98% | +2.2 points | 4,458 |
| 2022 | 241 | 96% | 93% | +3.4 points | 32,495 |
| 2021 | 888 | 94% | 91% | +3.3 points | 38,236 |
| 2020 | 12,148 | 90% | 88% | +1.9 points | 34,803 |
| 2019 | 20,194 | 87% | 86% | +0.9 points | 47,811 |
| 2018 | 16,744 | 87% | 84% | +3.2 points | 57,962 |
| 2017 | 18,560 | 85% | 82% | +3.0 points | 71,000 |
| 2016 | 20,863 | 82% | 79% | +3.3 points | 85,959 |
| 2015 | 19,581 | 80% | 75% | +4.5 points | 98,639 |
| 2014 | 17,233 | 78% | 72% | +6.2 points | 105,071 |
| 2013 | 11,337 | 73% | 68% | +5.2 points | 113,156 |
| 2012 | 11,540 | 67% | 66% | +1.3 points | 119,615 |
| 2011 | 11,835 | 66% | 63% | +2.6 points | 114,761 |
| 2010 | 9,998 | 63% | 60% | +2.7 points | 126,645 |
| 2009 | 7,281 | 62% | 59% | +3.1 points | 127,556 |
| 2008 | 6,251 | 58% | 57% | +0.7 points | 137,560 |
| 2007 | 6,747 | 58% | 57% | +0.7 points | 140,933 |
| 2006 | 5,814 | 55% | 56% | −1.0 points | 138,932 |
| 2005 | 3,543 | 54% | 56% | −2.1 points | 141,649 |
| 2004 | 2,309 | 56% | 56% | −0.5 points | 145,298 |
| 2003 | 1,767 | 56% | 57% | −1.1 points | 146,839 |
| 2002 | 1,220 | 59% | 58% | +1.6 points | 144,513 |
| 2001 | 737 | 56% | 59% | −2.6 points | 141,878 |
| 2000 | 268 | 56% | 61% | −4.6 points | 136,027 |
| 1999 | 83 | 47% | 62% | −15.5 points | 140,010 |
Why the Skoda Octavia fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | Octavia | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 8.7% | 11.3% |
| Suspension | 8.3% | 8.9% |
| Tyres | 6.4% | 6.3% |
| Brakes | 5.4% | 6.8% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.9% | 3.1% |
| Visibility | 2.3% | 4.8% |
| Body and structure | 2.2% | 3.5% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 1.2% | 1.0% |
| Steering | 0.7% | 1.8% |
| Road Wheels | 0.3% | 0.4% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1not working3.3%
- 2fractured or broken2.9%
- 3ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.2%
- 4tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.0%
- 5less than 1.5 mm thick1.9%
- 6has ply or cords exposed1.7%
- 7inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.7%
- 8has a serious fluid leak1.5%
- 9projected beam image is obviously incorrect1.3%
- 10ball joint excessively worn1.3%
Common Octavia MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used Octavia, check whether these have been dealt with. Read our guide to MOT advisories.
| Advisory | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 15.5% |
| has a serious fluid leak | Suspension | 12.0% |
| in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 8.9% |
| less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 8.3% |
| has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 7.7% |
| pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 6.2% |
| corroded and seriously weakened | Suspension | 3.5% |
| leaking excessively from engine | Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.2% |
| Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt | Non-component advisories | 2.6% |
| excessively binding | Brakes | 2.6% |
Tips to help your Octavia pass
Based on where Octavias most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Lights and electrics · 8.7% of Octavia tests
Walk round every light
With a helper, check headlights on dipped and main beam, sidelights, brake lights, indicators, the rear fog light and the number plate lamp. Replace blown bulbs in pairs and make sure no lenses are cracked.
Brakes · 5.4% of Octavia tests
Don't ignore brake warning signs
Grinding, squealing, a soft pedal or the car pulling to one side under braking are all worth investigating before the MOT. Check whether the last test noted worn pads or discs; if so, they may now be below the limit.
Compare with other models
Is the Octavia ULEZ compliant? See the Skoda Octavia ULEZ check, or view all Skoda models.
Other Skoda models
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 207,348 first MOT tests of the Skoda Octavia carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
Answers from 207,348 first MOT tests of the Skoda Octavia.
What is the Skoda Octavia MOT failure rate?
In our data, 24% of 207,348 first MOT attempts on the Skoda Octavia ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a Skoda Octavia fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were lights and electrics (8.7% of tests), suspension (8.3% of tests), tyres (6.4% of tests).
Which Octavia year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 2014 cars performed best: 78% passed first time, +6.2 points against the average for 9-year-old cars. The weakest was 1999, at 47% (−15.5 points).
How many miles had a typical Skoda Octavia covered at its MOT?
The average was 94,122 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2023 cars averaged 4,458 miles and 1999 cars 140,010.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the Skoda Octavia?
"tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" was recorded on 15.5% of tests, in the tyres area. 6.4% of Octavias failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific Octavia's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 207,348 Octavias in our data, first-time pass rates ranged from 47% to 100% by year, so one car's own record says more than the average.
Related guides
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readThe most common reasons cars fail their MOT (and how to avoid them)Lights alone failed 11.3% of cars at their 2023 MOT, more than any other area. The common failure areas, ranked, and the driveway checks that prevent them.Read the guide
- MOT · 4 min readTyre tread depth and the MOT: the legal limit and how to check6.3% of cars failed their 2023 MOT on tyres. The 1.6mm legal limit, what testers look for beyond tread, and a one-minute check with a 20p coin.Read the guide
Check any Octavia's MOT history
Every test, failure, advisory and recorded mileage for a specific car. Free, from official DVSA data.