2016 Skoda Citigo: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2016 Skoda Citigo?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2016 Skoda Citigo than on all cars registered in 2016.

• Sidelights4× usual
  Skoda Citigo

  5.2% All 2016 cars

  1.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.1%, against 1.1% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints1.7× usual
  Skoda Citigo

  8.5% All 2016 cars

  4.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 0.9% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Braking performance2.3× usual
  Skoda Citigo

  5.3% All 2016 cars

  2.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 0.8% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

• Exhaust emissions (catalyst)6.3× usual
  Skoda Citigo

  2.5% All 2016 cars

  0.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 0.4% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

Common 2016 Skoda Citigo MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2016 Skoda Citigo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  27% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Brakes
  19% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Suspension
  12% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Lights and electrics
  12% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  6% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

• Exhaust and emissions
  3% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Known faults on the 2016 Skoda Citigo

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Sunroof recall (built Mar to Apr 2016)

  Panoramic sunroof, built 2016

  Cars with a panoramic sunroof built March to April 2016 were recalled because the roof could come off. Other recalls covered airbags (2013), child locks (2016) and towing eyes (2017).

  At the viewing: Ask a Skoda dealer to confirm the recalls were done.

  Source: Auto Express: used Skoda Citigo (Mk1, 2012-2019) problems and recalls

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2016 Skoda Citigo

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Has the sunroof recall been done?
2. Any recent work on the sidelights? (Flagged at MOT 4× as often on the 2016 Skoda Citigo as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2016 Skoda Citigo as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2016 Skoda Citigo as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?