2013 Skoda Octavia petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2013 Skoda Octavia petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2013 Skoda Octavia petrol than on all cars registered in 2013.

• Shock absorbers3.5× usual
  Skoda Octavia

  18.9% All 2013 cars

  5.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 1.2% of all 2013 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.

• Exhaust emissions (catalyst)3.9× usual
  Skoda Octavia

  3.1% All 2013 cars

  0.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 0.8% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for an engine warning light.

• Link ball joint covers1.8× usual
  Skoda Octavia

  2.7% All 2013 cars

  1.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 0.9% of all 2013 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 2013 Skoda Octavia petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2013 Skoda Octavia petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  30% 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
  29% 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.

• Brakes
  24% 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
  12% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  6% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Oil and fluid leaks
  6% 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.

Known faults on the 2013 Skoda Octavia petrol

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Juddering DSG automatic gearbox

  DSG automatic

  The 7-speed DSG, especially the dry-clutch version on smaller engines, can judder at low speed or hesitate pulling away. The mechatronic control unit can also be clunky.

  At the viewing: Pull away gently from a standstill several times and creep in traffic. Any judder or hesitation needs a proper diagnosis before you buy.

  If it needs doing: Gearbox sensor or solenoid, about £200–£500. ClickMechanic

  Source: Haynes: Skoda Octavia Mk3 common faults

• Leaking water pump and thermostat housing (TSI petrol)

  1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 TSI petrol

  The plastic water pump and thermostat housing on the 1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 TSI petrol engines can start to weep coolant. It often shows as a falling coolant level or a sweet smell before any warning light.

  At the viewing: Look for dried coolant around the top of the engine and check the coolant is between the marks.

  If it needs doing: Water pump, about £115–£375. ClickMechanic

  Source: Haynes: Skoda Octavia Mk3 common faults

• Oil use on 1.8 and 2.0 TSI (including vRS)

  1.8 and 2.0 TSI petrol

  Some 1.8 and 2.0 TSI petrol engines burn oil between services.

  At the viewing: Check the dipstick: a low level on a recently serviced car is a warning sign.

  Source: Haynes: Skoda Octavia Mk3 common faults

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2013 Skoda Octavia petrol

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

1. Has the gearbox oil been changed on schedule, and has the gearbox had any work?
2. Has the coolant ever needed topping up, or the water pump been replaced?
3. Does it use oil between services?
4. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 3.5× as often on the 2013 Skoda Octavia petrol as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 3.9× as often on the 2013 Skoda Octavia petrol as on other cars the same age.)
6. Any recent work on the link ball joint covers? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2013 Skoda Octavia petrol as on other cars the same age.)