2018 Skoda Rapid petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2018 Skoda Rapid petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2018 Skoda Rapid petrol than on all cars registered in 2018.

• Shock absorbers6× usual
  Skoda Rapid

  13.7% All 2018 cars

  2.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.4% of all 2018 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 joints5.8× usual
  Skoda Rapid

  13.4% All 2018 cars

  2.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 0.4% of all 2018 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.

• Number plates1.8× usual
  Skoda Rapid

  2.5% All 2018 cars

  1.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.2% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

Common 2018 Skoda Rapid petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2018 Skoda Rapid petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  32% 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.

• Suspension
  24% 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
  20% 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
  6% 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
  5% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Seats and seatbelts
  3% of testsRough price £80–£250

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2018 Skoda Rapid 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 shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 6× as often on the 2018 Skoda Rapid petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 5.8× as often on the 2018 Skoda Rapid petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the number plates? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2018 Skoda Rapid petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?