Comparison · family hatchbacks

Mercedes-Benz A-Class vs Skoda Octavia: which is more reliable?

The Skoda Octavia does better at the MOT, with a score of 104 against 102 for the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 550,383 real MOT tests in 2024.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

102About average

MOT tests349,986

Skoda Octavia

104Above average

MOT tests200,397

By age

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

Age at test	Mercedes-Benz A-Class	Skoda Octavia
3–5 years	102About average	101About average
6–9 years	101About average	105Above average
10–14 years	104Above average	106Above average
15+ years	102Above average	100About average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

Year	Mercedes-Benz A-Class	Skoda Octavia
2021	89.9%	89.7%
2020	89.1%	87.6%
2019	85.9%	85.6%
2018	83.6%	85.0%
2017	80.2%	83.2%
2016	77.8%	81.2%
2015	74.1%	78.9%
2014	70.9%	76.5%
2013	70.3%	72.1%
2012	67.2%	66.1%
2011	65.7%	63.7%
2010	62.8%	62.2%
2009	61.4%	60.5%
2008	58.9%	57.3%
2007	58.2%	56.3%
2006	57.0%	54.6%
2005	58.3%	55.5%
2004	55.9%	58.9%
2003	55.8%	58.0%
2002	53.7%	58.4%
2001	57.4%	56.8%
2000	53.0%	51.1%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

Area	Mercedes-Benz A-Class	Skoda Octavia
Lights & electrics	7.1	10.8
Suspension	5.3	10.3
Tyres	8.0	7.1
Brakes	5.6	8.1
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)	3.9	2.4
Emissions & leaks	2.3	3.2
Body & chassis	1.3	2.4
Seat belts & airbags	1.6	1.1

Mercedes-Benz A-Class: top failures

Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.0%
Coil spring: fractured or broken1.9%
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.7%
Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.5%
Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.3%
Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.3%

Skoda Octavia: top failures

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

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class or the Skoda Octavia?

The Skoda Octavia does better at the MOT, with a score of 104 against 102 for the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Skoda Octavia can be compared?

Both were tested for 22 registration years (2000–2021). The Mercedes-Benz A-Class had the higher pass rate in 13 of them and the Skoda Octavia in 9.

What fails most on each?

Mercedes-Benz A-Class: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; coil spring: fractured or broken. Skoda Octavia: coil spring: fractured or broken; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm.