Used car guide · 2004–2013

Skoda Octavia Mk2: best and worst years, and what goes wrong

How each year of the Skoda Octavia Mk2 did at the MOTs done during 2023–2025, compared with other cars the same age, the weak spots that keep coming up, and what to check before you buy one. From 205,853 MOT tests.

2010best year: 63% pass first time, 3 points above all 2010 cars
2005weakest year: 55% pass first time, 2 points below all 2005 cars
Sub-framethe weak spot that shows up in 9 different years

Which Skoda Octavia Mk2 years are best and worst at their MOT?

First-time MOT pass rate for each year of the Skoda Octavia Mk2, against all cars registered the same year. Older cars fail more, so the comparison with cars the same age is what matters.

40%70%100%2004: 57% pass first time (all 2004 cars: 57%) 57% 20042005: 55% pass first time (all 2005 cars: 57%) 55% 20052006: 55% pass first time (all 2006 cars: 56%) 55% 20062007: 57% pass first time (all 2007 cars: 57%) 57% 20072008: 57% pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%) 57% 20082009: 61% pass first time (all 2009 cars: 59%) 61% 20092010: 63% pass first time (all 2010 cars: 60%) 63% 20102011: 65% pass first time (all 2011 cars: 62%) 65% 20112012: 66% pass first time (all 2012 cars: 64%) 66% 20122013: 72% pass first time (all 2013 cars: 67%) 72% 2013*
This model, first-time pass rate All cars registered that year · * changeover year: some cars are the previous or next generation
YearPass first timeAll cars that yearStands outMOT tests
200457%57% +0Suspension arm bushes and joints 1.7× usual5,461
200555%57% -2Drive shaft (CV) joints 2.6× usual8,721
200655%56% -1Suspension arm bushes and joints 2× usual14,403
200757%57% +0Suspension arm bushes and joints 1.9× usual17,167
200857%57% +0Drive shaft (CV) joints 2.1× usual16,330
200961%59% +2Suspension arm bushes and joints 1.6× usual19,616
201063%60% +3Shock absorbers 2× usual27,138
201165%62% +3Shock absorbers 2.1× usual32,898
201266%64% +2Shock absorbers 2× usual31,935
2013*72%67% +5Shock absorbers 3.2× usual32,184

Common Skoda Octavia Mk2 MOT failures, year after year

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year of this generation. Repeat findings like these are much less likely to be chance.

  • Sub-frameup to 2.4× usual

    Stands out in 9 years: 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004.

    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 indicatorsup to 3.1× usual

    Stands out in 7 years: 2012, 2011, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004.

    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.

  • Suspension arm bushes and jointsup to 2.1× usual

    Stands out in 6 years: 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004.

    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.

  • Side repeatersup to 4.6× usual

    Stands out in 5 years: 2012, 2010, 2009, 2007, 2005.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

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

  • Drive shaft (CV) jointsup to 2.6× usual

    Stands out in 5 years: 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004.

    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.

  • Shock absorbersup to 2.1× usual

    Stands out in 5 years: 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008.

    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.

What usually goes wrong with the Skoda Octavia Mk2?

From owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Not every car will have them.

  • Timing chain wear (1.2 TSI petrol)

    The older 1.2 TSI petrol uses a timing chain that can stretch. It starts as a rattle, especially when the engine first starts, and if it’s left the chain can fail and destroy the engine. Some garages advise changing it as often as every four years or 40,000 miles.

    Check: Start the engine from cold and listen for a rattle in the first few seconds. Ask whether the chain has been changed, with an invoice.

    Source: Parkers: Volkswagen Polo (2009-2017) used review

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting each car's main test of the year (not retests). A weak spot needs at least 30 cars flagged and must stay 1.5× the usual rate even at the cautious end of a 95% confidence range. Generation years are approximate: cars registered in a changeover year (*) can be either generation. How we score

Looking at a Skoda Octavia?

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