2011 Skoda Octavia diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2011 Skoda Octavia diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2011 Skoda Octavia diesel than on all cars registered in 2011.

• Shock absorbers1.9× usual
  Skoda Octavia

  13.4% All 2011 cars

  6.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 1.8% of all 2011 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.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints1.6× usual
  Skoda Octavia

  15.6% All 2011 cars

  9.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, against 2.1% of all 2011 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.

• Sub-frame2.3× usual
  Skoda Octavia

  9.6% All 2011 cars

  4.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.2% of all 2011 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.

• Suspension arm2.9× usual
  Skoda Octavia

  7.2% All 2011 cars

  2.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.3% of all 2011 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.

• Anti-roll bar link joints2.3× usual
  Skoda Octavia

  8.2% All 2011 cars

  3.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 1.4% of all 2011 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 2011 Skoda Octavia diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2011 Skoda Octavia diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  49% 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.

• Tyres
  34% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  30% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Brakes
  29% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  8% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Driveshafts and joints
  6% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2011 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 shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2011 Skoda Octavia diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2011 Skoda Octavia diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2011 Skoda Octavia diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?