Comparison · family hatchbacks

Ford Focus vs Skoda Octavia: which is more reliable?

The Skoda Octavia does better at the MOT, with a score of 104 against 99 for the Ford Focus, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 1,094,345 real MOT tests in 2024.

Ford Focus

99About average
MOT tests893,948

Skoda Octavia

104Above average
MOT tests200,397

By age

MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).

Age at testFord FocusSkoda Octavia
3–5 years
100About average
101About average
6–9 years
103Above average
105Above average
10–14 years
96Below average
106Above average
15+ years
97Below average
100About average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearFord FocusSkoda Octavia
202188.3%89.7%
202087.8%87.6%
201983.7%85.6%
201883.4%85.0%
201782.5%83.2%
201679.4%81.2%
201575.6%78.9%
201467.4%76.5%
201363.9%72.1%
201263.3%66.1%
201159.1%63.7%
201057.2%62.2%
200956.8%60.5%
200855.6%57.3%
200757.4%56.3%
200657.0%54.6%
200554.0%55.5%
200452.0%58.9%
200352.5%58.0%
200253.1%58.4%
200153.4%56.8%
200052.8%51.1%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaFord FocusSkoda Octavia
Lights & electrics21.010.8
Suspension12.610.3
Tyres8.87.1
Brakes7.58.1
Emissions & leaks4.63.2
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.62.4
Body & chassis3.62.4
Steering1.50.8

Ford Focus: top failures

  1. Position lamp: not working3.4%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.8%
  3. Coil spring: fractured or broken2.7%
  4. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.0%
  5. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.8%
  6. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.5%

Skoda Octavia: top failures

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken2.4%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.8%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.8%
  4. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.6%
  5. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak1.3%
  6. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.0%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Ford Focus or the Skoda Octavia?

The Skoda Octavia does better at the MOT, with a score of 104 against 99 for the Ford Focus, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Ford Focus and Skoda Octavia can be compared?

Both were tested for 22 registration years (2000–2021). The Ford Focus had the higher pass rate in 4 of them and the Skoda Octavia in 18.

What fails most on each?

Ford Focus: position lamp: not working; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Skoda Octavia: coil spring: fractured or broken; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm.