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Skoda Scala reliability by build year

Coverage 2019-present1 named generationHatchbackPETROL / DIESEL
At a glance

Skoda Scala built around 2021: more dangerous faults than average

Testers find a dangerous fault on Skoda Scalas built around 2021 more often than on similar cars the same age. Look closely at the tyres on any car you view.

Check a Skoda Scala by number plate

Key figure

5% of MOT tests on Skoda Scalas built around 2021 found a fault the tester marked as dangerous, against 4% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Skoda Scalas built around 2021 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Skoda Scala'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 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.

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 Scala's generation

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

Scala Mk1 (NW)

Mk1 (NW) (2019-present)

Average
DIESELPETROL

12.8% fail rate, built around 2020 (5 years old)

Fails as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 8 MOTs, 12.8%)

From 3,186 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 Scala.

See every build year for the Skoda Scala

By age

Skoda Scala fail rate by age

This chart combines every Skoda Scala 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
2,93710.0%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
3,39911.2%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
3,18612.8%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
86716.2%

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 6 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 4-year-old Skoda Scalas

These issues come from 4-year-old Skoda Scalas, 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

    Brake pads wearing thin

    14.4%
    Advisory: 571Fail: 100 (15% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    14.3%
    Advisory: 781Fail: 108 (12% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

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

    13.6%
    Advisory: 592Fail: 18 (3% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

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

    12.1%
    Advisory: 587Fail: 34 (5% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, but not excessively

    3.6%
    Advisory: 126Fail: 36 (22% of the times it was found)

Based on 3,399 MOT tests on 4-year-old Skoda Scalas, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 4-year-old Skoda Scalas notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Brakes + Tyres55%
  2. Other + Tyres20%
  3. Brakes + Other18%
  4. Suspension + Tyres8%

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

Across 611 MOT tests on Skoda Scala cars built around 2021 (4 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

Not enough registration data to show this for the Skoda Scala.

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.

Recall context

1 recall in all

1 Skoda Scala recall covers cars built in these years.

  • 1 recall

Top concerns

  • An incorrect dataset was uploaded to the ocu unit

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

    Suzuki Ignis

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    7.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.5%
    Dangerous
    1.2%

    Lower fail rate: 7.9%, against 11.2% for the Skoda Scala, both built around 2021.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    4,405 MOT tests on cars built around 2021

  2. 2

    Volkswagen up!

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    7.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.7%

    Lower fail rate: 7.3%, against 11.2% for the Skoda Scala, both built around 2021.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,156 MOT tests on cars built around 2021

  3. 3

    Suzuki Swift

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.7%
    Dangerous
    2.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95%

    Fewer fails still not passed 3 days later: 0.7%, against 1.6% for the Skoda Scala.

    8,591 MOT tests on cars built around 2021

  4. 4

    Citroen C4 Cactus

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    14.8%

    No clear edge over the Skoda Scala on these figures.

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

    1,178 MOT tests on cars built around 2021

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 2021 (4 years old), the Skoda Scala across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 3,399 4-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Skoda Scala ever sold: 10,389 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2021 (4 years old): 3,399 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.