Used car guide

1996 Skoda Felicia: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Skoda Felicia first registered in 1996: we looked at the 128 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 128 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

128MOTs of 1996 cars, done in 2023–2025
58%pass first time (all 1996 cars: 66%)
2,600typical miles a year
38%had brakes flagged

Common 1996 Skoda Felicia MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1996 Skoda Felicia MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    38% 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
    38% 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
    30% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Exhaust and emissions
    28% 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.

  • Tyres
    23% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    13% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1996 Skoda Felicia

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

  1. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Skoda Felicia?

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Other years

Every year of the Skoda Felicia compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2000924Brakes 47%
1999933Brakes 44%
1998556Brakes 44%
1997238Brakes 46%
1995–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Skoda Felicia cars first registered in 1996. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score