2005 Skoda Octavia diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2005 Skoda Octavia diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2005 Skoda Octavia diesel than on all cars registered in 2005.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints2.3× usual
  Skoda Octavia

  24.1% All 2005 cars

  10.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.5%, against 2.4% of all 2005 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.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.7× usual
  Skoda Octavia

  18.9% All 2005 cars

  7.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.5%, against 3.3% of all 2005 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.

• Sub-frame2.7× usual
  Skoda Octavia

  14.7% All 2005 cars

  5.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.3% of all 2005 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 indicators2.8× usual
  Skoda Octavia

  10% All 2005 cars

  3.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 1.6% of all 2005 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.

• Shock absorbers1.7× usual
  Skoda Octavia

  11.4% All 2005 cars

  6.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 1.7% of all 2005 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 2005 Skoda Octavia diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2005 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
  41% 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
  36% 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
  36% 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
  19% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  11% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2005 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 suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2005 Skoda Octavia diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 2005 Skoda Octavia diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 2005 Skoda Octavia diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?