MOT failures by make

Skoda MOT faults: which failures are more common than on similar cars

Across 1,551,957 MOT tests of Skoda cars in 2023–2024, 5 of the make's most common failure items stand out against cars of the same age, mileage and fuel, led by “Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn” at 1.73× the comparable rate. Overall Skodas passed 76.4% of tests and failed 0.89× as often as comparable cars.

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Data to 2024-12-30 · Page updated 2026-09-28 · Publisher: 73 Auto

Skoda MOT tests: 1,551,957; 804,058 cars, 2023–2024
Initial pass rate: 76.4%; DVSA results, retests excluded
Faults that stand out: 5; passed the make × item gate

Failures more common on Skodas than on similar cars

Each links to the model-by-model and age breakdown for Skoda.

Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn · 1.73× · 1.89% of tests
Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt · 1.68× · 0.94% of tests
Service brake performance: excessively binding · 1.58× · 0.94% of tests
Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak · 1.52× · 1.17% of tests

Failures less common on Skodas

Common failure items where Skodas do clearly better than comparable cars, beyond the make's overall level.

Stop lamp: not working · 0.60× · 1.03% of tests

Skoda’s most common MOT failure items

Ranked by how many Skoda tests failed on each item. The last column compares with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel (1.00 = the same rate).

Skoda: most common MOT failure items with observed ÷ expected
Defect item	Rank	Tests failing	Share	vs similar cars
Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn	#1	29,391	1.89%	1.73×
Coil spring: fractured or broken	#2	28,327	1.83%	0.86×
Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm	#3	27,984	1.80%	0.74×
Position lamp: not working	#4	25,735	1.66%	0.77×
Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively	#5	24,835	1.60%	0.79×
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick	#6	22,485	1.45%	0.74×
Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords	#7	21,330	1.37%	1.03×
Condition: has ply or cords exposed	#8	20,705	1.33%	1.03×
Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt	#9	19,624	1.26%	1.09×
Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak	#10	18,115	1.17%	1.52×
Headlamp aim: too low	#11	16,801	1.08%	0.95×
Stop lamp: not working	#12	15,940	1.03%	0.60×
Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect	#13	15,069	0.97%	0.90×
Service brake performance: excessively binding	#14	14,631	0.94%	1.58×
Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt	#15	14,596	0.94%	1.68×

Only the 150 most common national MOT failure items are compared; a rank counts every failure item recorded on the make.

How to use this

The list shows what a Skoda is more likely than other cars to fail on, which is where to look on a pre-MOT check or a used-car inspection. The model pages break the same data down further — see Skoda MOT pass rates by model.

Limitations

Official data: DVSA anonymised MOT results (2023–2024). 73 Auto analysis: expected failures apply the national rate of each item for the test's age, mileage band and fuel. MOT results reflect maintenance and use as well as design; they do not rank makes by reliability.

Check a Skoda’s MOT history before you buy

Enter a registration to see which of these faults that particular car has failed or been advised on, and what it costs to run. Your first check is free and shows the vehicle summary and its headline ownership cost. The category-by-category breakdown is part of a paid check.

UK number plate or 17-character VIN

Where these figures come from

Anonymised MOT tests and results (2023 and 2024) — Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). Open Government Licence v3.0.

Figures labelled as 73 Auto estimates are our own analysis of these sources, set out in the methodology and data sources. To report a factual error, see corrections.