2020 Skoda Kodiaq petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2020 Skoda Kodiaq petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2020 Skoda Kodiaq petrol than on all cars registered in 2020.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints7.5× usual
  Skoda Kodiaq

  9% All 2020 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 0.2% of all 2020 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.

• Brake pads1.8× usual
  Skoda Kodiaq

  13.7% All 2020 cars

  7.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 1.4% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

• Brake discs1.7× usual
  Skoda Kodiaq

  12.4% All 2020 cars

  7.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.4% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

• Shock absorbers3.4× usual
  Skoda Kodiaq

  5.4% All 2020 cars

  1.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.3% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

Common 2020 Skoda Kodiaq petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2020 Skoda Kodiaq petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  24% 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
  21% 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
  13% 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.

• Seats and seatbelts
  7% of testsRough price £80–£250

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  4% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Lights and electrics
  2% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

Known faults on the 2020 Skoda Kodiaq petrol

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.

• Seat, airbag and brake pedal recalls

  Some cars

  Small recalls covered rear seat nuts, airbags, cracked front seat frames, engine software (built Oct 2018 to June 2019) and a brake pedal weld (built July 2020).

  At the viewing: Ask a Skoda dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.

  Source: Auto Express: used Skoda Kodiaq (Mk1, 2017-2024) review

• Jerky seven-speed DSG

  DSG automatic

  Some owners find the seven-speed DSG jerky.

  At the viewing: Drive in slow traffic and feel for jerky changes.

  Source: Auto Express: used Skoda Kodiaq (Mk1, 2017-2024) review

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2020 Skoda Kodiaq petrol

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

1. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 7.5× as often on the 2020 Skoda Kodiaq petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2020 Skoda Kodiaq petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the brake discs? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2020 Skoda Kodiaq petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?