2018 · 6 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2018 Skoda Octavia MOT pass rate and common faults

16,252 MOT tests in 2024. 85.0% passed first time, compared with 82.5% for all cars the same age.

103Above average
Passed first time85.0%
Failed or needed repairs14.9%
Typical mileage at test58,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 16,252 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.8%
    364 marked dangerous
  2. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect1.6%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.4%
    337 marked dangerous
  4. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.4%
  5. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak1.3%
  6. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed0.9%
    199 marked dangerous
  7. Coil spring: fractured or broken0.9%
  8. Tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.8%
    148 marked dangerous
  9. Headlamp aim: too low0.6%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Tyres5.7%
  2. Lights & electrics4.5%
  3. Brakes3.6%
  4. Suspension3.3%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)1.4%
  6. Emissions & leaks1.1%
  7. Body & chassis0.3%
  8. Number plates & VIN0.3%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak16.8%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm13.1%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick9.8%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure9.8%
  5. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened7.3%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2018 Skoda Octavia?

In 2024, 85.0% of 2018 Skoda Octavia cars passed their MOT first time, across 16,252 tests. The average for all 6-year-old cars was 82.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2018 Skoda Octavia?

The most common failure reasons were brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick; headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. The biggest problem area was tyres.

Is the 2018 Skoda Octavia reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 103, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).