Used car guide

1999 Skoda Octavia diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Skoda Octavia first registered in 1999 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 109 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 109 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

109MOTs of 1999 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
53%pass first time (all 1999 cars: 63%)
6,200typical miles a year
57%had suspension flagged

Common 1999 Skoda Octavia diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1999 Skoda Octavia diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    57% 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.

  • Brakes
    54% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    43% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    30% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    17% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    16% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1999 Skoda Octavia diesel

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 Octavia?

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Other years

Every year of the Skoda Octavia compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
20231,196Tyres 14%
20227,025Tyres 24%
202119,820Tyres 24%
202035,858Tyres 26%
201958,872Tyres 26%
201849,251Tyres 26%
201754,586Tyres 27%
201660,737Tyres 28%
201556,604Tyres 29%
201449,992Tyres 30%
201332,184Suspension 33%
201231,935Suspension 42%
201132,898Suspension 47%
201027,138Suspension 50%
200919,616Suspension 50%
200816,330Suspension 54%
200717,167Suspension 55%
200614,403Suspension 53%
20058,721Suspension 55%
20045,461Suspension 52%
20034,224Suspension 52%
20022,836Suspension 52%
20011,788Suspension 51%
2000572Brakes 53%
1998–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 Octavia cars first registered in 1999. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score