Used car guide

2012 Skoda Rapid diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Skoda Rapid first registered in 2012 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 324 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 324 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

324MOTs of 2012 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
59%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 64%)
9,600typical miles a year
5.6×the usual rate for steering rack inner joints

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Skoda Rapid diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 Skoda Rapid diesel than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Steering rack inner joints5.6× usual
    Skoda Rapid
    11.1% All 2012 cars
    2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints3.1× usual
    Skoda Rapid
    11.7% All 2012 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.5%, against 1.9% of all 2012 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.

Common 2012 Skoda Rapid diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2012 Skoda Rapid diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    36% 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
    35% 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.

  • 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
    24% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Steering
    14% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    12% 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 2012 Skoda Rapid 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 steering rack inner joints? (Flagged at MOT 5.6× as often on the 2012 Skoda Rapid diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the 2012 Skoda Rapid diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Skoda Rapid?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Skoda Rapid compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20191,431Tyres 33%
20186,352Tyres 32%
201711,725Tyres 33%
201612,211Tyres 33%
20159,367Suspension 34%
201415,744Suspension 35%
20138,842Suspension 33%
1991–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Skoda Rapid cars first registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score