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Skoda Octavia reliability by build year

Coverage 2004-present3 named generationsfamily hatchbackHatchbackDIESEL / PETROL / HYBRID ELECTRIC
At a glance

Skoda Octavia built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Skoda Octavias built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Check a Skoda Octavia by number plate

Key figure

15% of MOT tests on Skoda Octavias built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 16% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Skoda Octavias built around 2018 involves the suspension.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Skoda Octavia's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Shock absorbers

Worth checking

Bounce-test each corner; check for oily streaks down the strut bodies.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Octavia's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Octavia Mk4 (NX)

Mk4 (NX) (2020-present)

Average
PETROLDIESELHYBRID ELECTRIC

10.6% fail rate, built around 2021 (4 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 9 MOTs, 11.4%)

From 6,916 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Octavia Mk3 (5E)

Mk3 (5E) (2013-2019)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROLDIESEL

14.8% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 20,266 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Octavia Mk2 (1Z)

Mk2 (1Z) (2004-2012)

Average
PETROLDIESEL

26.8% fail rate, built around 2012 (13 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 27.7%)

From 13,187 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Skoda Octavia.

See every build year for the Skoda Octavia

Side-by-side

Skoda Octavia generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Mk4 (NX) (2020-present)
Average
Average10.6%built around 2021 (4 years old)from 6,916 MOT tests at this age
Mk3 (5E) (2013-2019)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings14.8%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 20,266 MOT tests at this age
Mk2 (1Z) (2004-2012)
Average
Average26.8%built around 2012 (13 years old)from 13,187 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the Octavia, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Skoda Octavia fail rate by age

This chart combines every Skoda Octavia ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
8,42710.0%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
12,57311.0%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
17,40913.6%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
21,58514.6%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
20,26614.8%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
22,68216.0%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
23,29816.9%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
22,27419.2%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
17,90820.7%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
12,36124.7%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
13,18726.8%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
12,80726.7%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
10,59028.4%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
6,69630.3%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
6,79631.5%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
5,99531.3%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
4,65332.1%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
2,43132.0%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
1,71330.9%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
1,22629.8%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
83128.5%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
35730.3%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
19230.2%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 19 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Skoda Octavia stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other Skoda models

4th of 8

4th lowest fail rate of 8 Skoda models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the middle third

Against other hatchbacks

25th of 84

25th lowest fail rate of 84 hatchbacks with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

Close to the middle third

Against the UK average

14.8%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Skoda Octavias

These issues come from 7-year-old Skoda Octavias, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Shock absorber has a light misting of oil

    19.7%
    Advisory: 4,977Fail: 398 (7% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    16.2%
    Advisory: 4,696Fail: 352 (7% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    11.0%
    Advisory: 2,467Fail: 407 (14% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    10.7%
    Advisory: 2,676Fail: 539 (17% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    9.0%
    Advisory: 2,604Fail: 31 (1% of the times it was found)

Based on 20,266 MOT tests on 7-year-old Skoda Octavias, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Skoda Octavias notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Suspension + Tyres32%
  2. Brakes + Tyres30%
  3. Brakes + Suspension28%
  4. Other + Suspension14%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 6,013 MOT tests on Skoda Octavia cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

86%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · Fewer than typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

29 recalls in all

26 of the 29 Skoda Octavia recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 6 Critical
  • 20 more

Top concerns

  • Replacing Takata driver airbag
  • Takata drivers side front airbag
  • The fuse in the high-voltage system of plug-in hybrid vehicles was partly produced with an insufficient amount of so-cal

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Mini

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.6%

    Lower fail rate: 12.3%, against 14.8% for the Skoda Octavia, both built around 2018.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate, share still registered and recalls only.

    50,561 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Suzuki SX4

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.5%

    No clear edge over the Skoda Octavia on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    3,314 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Fiat 500

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    16.9%

    No clear edge over the Skoda Octavia on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,235 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    MG 3

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    23.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    88.1%

    No clear edge over the Skoda Octavia on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate, share still registered and recalls only.

    3,383 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Skoda Octavia across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. It has the 4th lowest fail rate of 8 Skoda models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 20,266 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Skoda Octavia ever sold: 246,257 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 20,266 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.