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Skoda Scala Mk1 (NW) (2019-present) reliability

At a glance

Skoda Scala Mk1 (NW) built around 2020: about average at the MOT

Skoda Scala Mk1 (NW) models built around 2020 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Looking at a Skoda Scala Mk1 (NW) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

13% of MOT tests on Skoda Scala Mk1 (NW) models built around 2020 ended in a fail (retests included), against 14% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Skoda Scala Mk1 (NW) models built around 2020 involves the tyres.

Skoda Scala Mk1 (NW)
average reliability2019-presentHatchbackPETROL / DIESEL

Based on 10,389 tests of Scala models registered 2019+.

About 1 in 8 petrol Scala cars registered in 2022 (12.1%) failed their first MOT.

Based on 2,039 first MOTs (DVSA MOT results, 2025).

1.6% of Scala Mk1 (NW) MOTs failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2020 (5 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 3,186 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 20 Scala Mk1 (NW) MOTs (5.6%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2020 (5 years old).

Based on 3,186 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Mk1 (NW) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
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.

How the Scala Mk1 (NW) compares

At each age below, see how the Scala Mk1 (NW) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 69,168 tests across 9 Skoda models, built around 2020 (5 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateSkoda average
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.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can 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.

Tyres

Worth checking

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

Steering track rods

Worth checking

On a flat surface, rock the steering wheel briefly with the engine off and listen for clunks.

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.

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Scala Mk1 (NW).

  1. 1

    Volkswagen up!

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.7%

    Lower fail rate: 9.3%, against 12.8% for the Skoda Scala Mk1 (NW), both built around 2020.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    4,392 MOT tests on cars built around 2020

  2. 2

    Suzuki Ignis

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    8.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.8%
    Dangerous
    1.7%

    Lower fail rate: 8.5%, against 12.8% for the Skoda Scala Mk1 (NW), both built around 2020.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    3,723 MOT tests on cars built around 2020

  3. 3

    Suzuki Swift

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.9%
    Dangerous
    2.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95%

    Fewer fails still not passed 3 days later: 0.9%, against 1.6% for the Skoda Scala Mk1 (NW).

    9,956 MOT tests on cars built around 2020

  4. 4

    Citroen C4 Cactus

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    17.5%

    No clear edge over the Skoda Scala Mk1 (NW) on these figures.

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

    3,022 MOT tests on cars built around 2020

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.

Recall context

1 recall in all

1 Scala Mk1 (NW) 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.

What has gone wrong on Scala Mk1 (NW) cars built around 2020

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 232 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
1%

Wear items

Tyres
13%
Brakes
9%
Lighting
1%

Fail rate by engine size, built around 2020 (5 years old)

Engine sizes across all petrol Scala tests (not specific to Mk1 (NW)).

Under 1.0 litre12.6%2,228 tests1.4 to 2.0 litres13.1%757 tests
How Scala Mk1 (NW) cars have aged

How Scala Mk1 (NW) cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

Some lines cover only a year or two, so read this as a rough guide.

0%10%3456Age at MOTBuilt around 2021, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 11.2% (2,080 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2021, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 12.1% (1,938 tests, 2025 data)2021Built around 2020, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 10.3% (2,501 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2020, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 11.4% (2,311 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2020, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 12.0% (2,231 tests, 2025 data)2020Built around 2019, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 7.6% (1,155 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2019, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 10.5% (1,019 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2019, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 13.1% (879 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2019, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 16.1% (867 tests, 2025 data)2019
First registered around 2021First registered around 2020First registered around 2019
Mk1 (NW) variants compared

Scala Mk1 (NW) variants built around 2020

The fail rate for each Scala Mk1 (NW) variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Petrol

  • SCALA12.7%2,891 tests

Diesel

  • SCALA14.5%200 tests
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on Skoda Scalas of this age

This list covers every Skoda Scala built around 2020, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk1 (NW) on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

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

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    17.4%
    Advisory: 903Fail: 75 (8% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    14.4%
    Advisory: 500Fail: 100 (17% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

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

    13.4%
    Advisory: 553Fail: 19 (3% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

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

    11.9%
    Advisory: 561Fail: 43 (7% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Minor

    Track rod end dust cover damaged, but still keeps dirt out

    5.2%
    Advisory: 0Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)

Based on 3,186 tests

Looking at a Skoda Scala Mk1 (NW) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2020 (5 years old), the Skoda Scala Mk1 (NW) (2019-present) fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 3,186 5-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 10,389 MOT tests on Skoda Scalas first registered from 2019. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.