Used car guide · 1998–2026

Skoda Octavia common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Skoda Octavia, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 609,410 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

609,410MOTs done in 2023–2025, all years of this model
245,109on the UK register
8known faults across all years
2014best year at its MOT

Pick the year

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022001200019991998

Generation guides: Skoda Octavia Mk2 (2004–2013) · Skoda Octavia Mk3 (2013–2020) · Skoda Octavia Mk4 (2020–2024)

What usually goes wrong with a Skoda Octavia?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Juddering DSG automatic gearbox

    Cars registered 2013–2020 · DSG automatic

    The 7-speed DSG, especially the dry-clutch version on smaller engines, can judder at low speed or hesitate pulling away. The mechatronic control unit can also be clunky.

    At the viewing: Pull away gently from a standstill several times and creep in traffic. Any judder or hesitation needs a proper diagnosis before you buy.

    If it needs doing: Gearbox sensor or solenoid, about £200–£500. ClickMechanic

    Source: Haynes: Skoda Octavia Mk3 common faults

  • Timing chain wear (1.2 TSI petrol)

    Cars registered 2009–2012 · 1.2 TSI petrol (older engine)

    The older 1.2 TSI petrol uses a timing chain that can stretch. It starts as a rattle, especially when the engine first starts, and if it’s left the chain can fail and destroy the engine. Some garages advise changing it as often as every four years or 40,000 miles.

    At the viewing: Start the engine from cold and listen for a rattle in the first few seconds. Ask whether the chain has been changed, with an invoice.

    Source: Parkers: Volkswagen Polo (2009-2017) used review

  • Leaking water pump and thermostat housing (TSI petrol)

    Cars registered 2013–2020 · 1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 TSI petrol

    The plastic water pump and thermostat housing on the 1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 TSI petrol engines can start to weep coolant. It often shows as a falling coolant level or a sweet smell before any warning light.

    At the viewing: Look for dried coolant around the top of the engine and check the coolant is between the marks.

    If it needs doing: Water pump, about £115–£375. ClickMechanic

    Source: Haynes: Skoda Octavia Mk3 common faults

  • Blocked DPF and sticking EGR valve (TDI diesel)

    Cars registered 2013–2020 · 1.6 and 2.0 TDI diesel

    On the 1.6 and 2.0 TDI, lots of short journeys stop the diesel particulate filter cleaning itself, leading to warning lights and eventually a blocked filter. Later Euro 6 cars also have an AdBlue system to look after.

    At the viewing: Check for warning lights and ask how the car has been used. A diesel that's only done short trips is a risk.

    If it needs doing: DPF clean or regeneration, about £160–£500. ClickMechanic

    Source: Haynes: Skoda Octavia Mk3 common faults

  • Oil use on 1.8 and 2.0 TSI (including vRS)

    Cars registered 2013–2020 · 1.8 and 2.0 TSI petrol

    Some 1.8 and 2.0 TSI petrol engines burn oil between services.

    At the viewing: Check the dipstick: a low level on a recently serviced car is a warning sign.

    Source: Haynes: Skoda Octavia Mk3 common faults

  • Infotainment glitches and electrical faults

    Cars registered 2021–2025 · All engines

    54% of cars in What Car?'s survey had a fault, most often sat nav and infotainment, plus battery, trim and electrical niggles. All were fixed free, but a third took over a week.

    At the viewing: Use the screen and sat nav, and test the electrics.

    Source: What Car?: used Skoda Octavia (2020 on) reliability

  • Water pump failures

    Cars registered 2021–2025 · All engines

    Water pump failures with large bills are reported.

    At the viewing: Watch the temperature gauge and look for coolant leaks.

    Source: What Car?: used Skoda Octavia (2020 on) reliability

  • Plug-in hybrid fuse and engine cover recalls

    Cars registered 2021–2025 · Some cars

    About 2,000 plug-in hybrids were recalled for a high-voltage fuse, and about 1,150 cars for engine covers that could come loose.

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

    Source: What Car?: used Skoda Octavia (2020 on) reliability

Common Skoda Octavia MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Shock absorbers

    up to 8.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.

    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.

  • Individual direction indicators

    up to 3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011 and 2012.

    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 joints

    up to 3.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2001, 2006, 2007, 2019, 2020 and 2021.

    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.

  • Link ball joint covers

    up to 3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Sub-frame

    up to 2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011.

    Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

  • Side repeaters

    up to 4.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2012.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

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

Diesel

  • Shock absorbers

    up to 9.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

    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.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 4.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2019, 2020 and 2021.

    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.

  • Sub-frame

    up to 2.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

    Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

  • Individual direction indicators

    up to 3.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2012.

    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.

  • Headlight aim

    up to 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.

    Rough price £20–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Park facing a wall at night or in a garage and check both headlight beams sit level. Aim is a cheap adjustment.

  • Braking performance

    up to 2.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

    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.

Hybrid

  • Shock absorbers

    up to 5.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2021 and 2022.

    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.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 5.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2021 and 2022.

    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.

  • Windscreen

    up to 2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2022.

    Rough price £60–£300 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check for chips or cracks in the driver's view.

Skoda Octavia MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2014 Skoda Octavia did best (77% passed first time, 7 points above all 2014 cars) and the 2005 did worst (55%, 2 points below all 2005 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202395%92% +31,196
202289%89% +07,025
202189%87% +219,820
202088%87% +135,858
201985%85% +058,872
201885%83% +249,251
201783%80% +354,586
201681%77% +460,737
201579%74% +556,604
201477%70% +749,992
201372%67% +532,184
201266%64% +231,935
201165%62% +332,898
201063%60% +327,138
200961%59% +219,616
200857%57% +016,330
200757%57% +017,167
200655%56% -114,403
200555%57% -28,721
200457%57% +05,461
200357%57% +04,224
200260%58% +22,836
200157%60% -31,788
200055%61% -6572
199953%63% -10196 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Skoda Octavia

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

  1. Has the gearbox oil been changed on schedule, and has the gearbox had any work?
  2. Has the timing chain been changed, and is there an invoice? Does it rattle when you start it from cold?
  3. Has the coolant ever needed topping up, or the water pump been replaced?
  4. Has the car done regular longer runs, and has the DPF ever been cleaned or replaced?
  5. Does it use oil between services?
  6. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 8.3× as often on the Skoda Octavia as on other cars the same age.)

Looking at a Skoda Octavia?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score