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SKODA OCTAVIA Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 11,810 MOT tests from 1,114 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every SKODA OCTAVIA has the same fault.

SKODA OCTAVIA's have a very good reliability rating of 602/999. The score was calculated from the average of every SKODA OCTAVIA that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the SKODA OCTAVIA.

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SKODA OCTAVIA side viewSKODA OCTAVIA (example)
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Check a Skoda Octavia before you buy

Enter your registration to see available vehicle history information including service records, MOT, mileage, write-off status, outstanding finance and more.

Skoda Octavia side view
  • Service history

    Dealer & service records

  • MOT records

    Past & current MOT data

  • Write-off check

    Check for insurance write-offs

  • Finance check

    Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel TypeYearReliability ScoreAvg MileageSample Size
N/AN/A835/999Excellent80,389 miles2,180 vehicles
N/AN/A804/999Excellent81,097 miles4,144 vehicles
N/AN/A794/999Very good77,880 miles5,529 vehicles
N/AN/A757/999Very good77,171 miles4,335 vehicles
N/AN/A744/999Very good86,048 miles4,836 vehicles
N/AN/A727/999Very good85,395 miles8,583 vehicles
N/AN/A670/999Good86,359 miles12,401 vehicles
N/AN/A645/999Good83,584 miles2,038 vehicles
N/AN/A640/999Good87,721 miles11,234 vehicles
N/AN/A600/999Good92,600 miles10,260 vehicles
N/AN/A599/999Above average97,367 miles2,014 vehicles
N/AN/A523/999Above average88,221 miles917 vehicles
N/AN/A514/999Above average85,946 miles2,160 vehicles
N/AN/A506/999Above average90,954 miles830 vehicles
N/AN/A505/999Above average86,552 miles2,817 vehicles
N/AN/A496/999Average107,742 miles6,401 vehicles
N/AN/A492/999Average91,661 miles2,583 vehicles
N/AN/A486/999Average86,226 miles2,026 vehicles
N/AN/A484/999Average111,063 miles4,388 vehicles
N/AN/A483/999Average109,319 miles7,491 vehicles
N/AN/A473/999Average105,853 miles5,309 vehicles
N/AN/A467/999Average104,548 miles6,552 vehicles

How reliable is the SKODA OCTAVIA?

Based on 11,810 MOT tests from 1,114 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

1,114

MOT tests

11,810

Pass rate

82%

Median mileage

104,144 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every SKODA OCTAVIA has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 665 out of 999.

Common SKODA OCTAVIA MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 1,751 advisory comments and 86 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Shock absorber issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 947 advisory comments and 80 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record shock absorbers or dampers that were leaking, misting, or insecure. A light misting of oil on a damper is not an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT SHOCK ABSORBERS HAS LIGHT MISTING OF OIL (5.3.2 (B))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 410 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 354 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 252 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 192 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURED OR BROKEN (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Anti-roll bar issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 82 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record wear or damage in the anti-roll bar, its links, or its bushes.

What to inspect

Listen for a knock when driving over uneven ground at low speed.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT ANTI-ROLL BAR LINKAGE BALL JOINT DUST COVER NO LONGER PREVENTS THE INGRESS OF DIRT (5.3.4 (B) (II))

Engine warning lamp

VehicleScore MOT data includes 70 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an engine warning lamp that was on, or did not work, during the inspection.

What to inspect

Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Example MOT wording: ENGINE MIL INOPERATIVE OR INDICATES A MALFUNCTION (8.2.1.2 (H))

SKODA OCTAVIA MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

YearVehiclesMOT testsPass rateRecurring issues seen
202680—No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2025121100%No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2024244100%No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2023364187.8%Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
2022306992.8%Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
20213312688.1%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20203816990.5%Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
20198147087.4%Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
20187247588.8%Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
20178670987%Shock absorber issues, Tyre wear
20169689887.1%Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
201510199688.1%Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
201491103485.2%Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
20135568182.4%Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
20126591281.5%Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
201181129079.5%Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
20104777779.7%Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
20093976075.7%Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
20081838174.5%Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
20072655177.5%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20061943675.7%Tyre wear, Lamp and bulb faults
20051024075.8%Tyre wear, Oil leak
2004615368.6%Corrosion, Windscreen damage
2003719571.8%Tyre wear, Oil leak

What to check when buying a used SKODA OCTAVIA

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

  • Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

  • Shock absorber issues. Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.

  • Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

  • Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

  • Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

  • Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

  • Anti-roll bar issues. Listen for a knock when driving over uneven ground at low speed.

  • Engine warning lamp. Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Buying a SKODA OCTAVIA?

Common problems tell you what can affect SKODA OCTAVIAs generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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