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Skoda Rapid reliability by build year

Coverage 2013-20191 named generationHatchbackPETROL / DIESEL
At a glance

Skoda Rapid built around 2018: more dangerous faults than average

Testers find a dangerous fault on Skoda Rapids built around 2018 more often than on similar cars the same age. Look closely at the tyres on any car you view.

Check a Skoda Rapid by number plate

Key figure

7% of MOT tests on Skoda Rapids built around 2018 found a fault the tester marked as dangerous, against 5% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Skoda Rapids built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

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

Independent inspection

High priority

Have an independent specialist inspect the car before you commit.

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.

Tyres

Worth checking

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

Shock absorbers

Worth checking

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

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

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 Rapid's generation

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

Rapid Mk1 (NH)

Mk1 (NH) (2013-2019)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROLDIESEL

18.4% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

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

From 3,441 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Pre

Older models (before 2005)

PETROLDIESEL
155 MOT tests across all agesLimited data

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 Rapid.

See every build year for the Skoda Rapid

By age

Skoda Rapid fail rate by age

This chart combines every Skoda Rapid 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
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
1337.5%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
1,35417.0%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
3,44118.4%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
5,08420.4%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
4,52222.0%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
5,09823.5%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
5,35223.2%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
2,36324.8%

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 12 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Skoda Rapid 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

7th of 8

7th lowest fail rate of 8 Skoda models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the highest third

Against other hatchbacks

56th of 84

56th lowest fail rate of 84 hatchbacks with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the middle third

Against the UK average

18.4%

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

Fails more 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 Rapids

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

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

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

  1. 1
    Advisory

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

    17.2%
    Advisory: 811Fail: 91 (10% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Shock absorber has a light misting of oil

    16.8%
    Advisory: 769Fail: 58 (7% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    15.4%
    Advisory: 578Fail: 214 (27% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    15.1%
    Advisory: 646Fail: 136 (17% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

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

    11.7%
    Advisory: 599Fail: 8 (1% of the times it was found)

Based on 3,441 MOT tests on 7-year-old Skoda Rapids, 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 Rapids 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 + Tyres36%
  2. Brakes + Suspension32%
  3. Brakes + Tyres32%
  4. Other + Tyres13%

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

Across 1,207 MOT tests on Skoda Rapid 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

6 recalls in all

All 6 Skoda Rapid recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 2 Critical
  • 4 more

Top concerns

  • Replacing Takata driver airbag
  • Takata drivers side front airbag
  • On affected vehicles from a certain production period there is a possibility that the gas generator cover could be damag

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

    Volkswagen up!

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    14.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.7%

    Lower fail rate: 14.2%, against 18.4% for the Skoda Rapid, 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.

    15,657 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Suzuki Celerio

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.5%
    Dangerous
    2.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93.5%

    Lower fail rate: 13.9%, against 18.4% for the Skoda Rapid, both built around 2018.

    5,662 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Toyota Aygo

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.2%
    Dangerous
    4.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96%

    Lower fail rate: 13.0%, against 18.4% for the Skoda Rapid, both built around 2018.

    25,028 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Suzuki Swift

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    14.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.8%
    Dangerous
    3.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95%

    Lower fail rate: 14.7%, against 18.4% for the Skoda Rapid, both built around 2018.

    11,074 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
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 Rapid across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. It has the 7th lowest fail rate of 8 Skoda models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 3,441 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 Rapid ever sold: 27,347 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 3,441 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.