2005 Skoda Octavia petrol: common problems and MOT failures

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

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

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.4× usual
  Skoda Octavia

  17% All 2005 cars

  7.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.4%, 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.

• Engine warning light2.9× usual
  Skoda Octavia

  8.3% All 2005 cars

  2.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.3%, against 2.9% 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.

• Individual direction indicators2.3× usual
  Skoda Octavia

  8.2% All 2005 cars

  3.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3%, 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.

• Sub-frame1.8× usual
  Skoda Octavia

  9.9% All 2005 cars

  5.6%

  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.

• Link ball joint covers2.3× usual
  Skoda Octavia

  6.7% All 2005 cars

  2.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 1.6% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

Common 2005 Skoda Octavia petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2005 Skoda Octavia petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  48% 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
  37% 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
  31% 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
  31% 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
  17% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

• Oil and fluid leaks
  15% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2005 Skoda Octavia 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 drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2005 Skoda Octavia petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the engine warning light? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the 2005 Skoda Octavia petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the individual direction indicators? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2005 Skoda Octavia petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?