2004 Skoda Octavia diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2004 Skoda Octavia diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2004 Skoda Octavia diesel than on all cars registered in 2004.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.2× usual
  Skoda Octavia

  14.8% All 2004 cars

  6.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6%, against 3% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints1.9× usual
  Skoda Octavia

  17.3% All 2004 cars

  9.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 2.1% of all 2004 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.

• Track rod ends1.9× usual
  Skoda Octavia

  12.5% All 2004 cars

  6.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.1%, against 3% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

• Sub-frame1.8× usual
  Skoda Octavia

  9.1% All 2004 cars

  5.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.3% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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 indicators2.1× usual
  Skoda Octavia

  7% All 2004 cars

  3.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 1.5% of all 2004 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.

Common 2004 Skoda Octavia diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2004 Skoda Octavia diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  54% 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
  44% 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
  35% 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
  33% 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.

• Driveshafts and joints
  15% of testsRough price £60–£350

  At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

• Exhaust and emissions
  14% 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 2004 Skoda Octavia diesel

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

1. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2004 Skoda Octavia diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2004 Skoda Octavia diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2004 Skoda Octavia diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?