2012 Skoda Roomster petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Skoda Roomster petrol?

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

• Engine oil leaks2.1× usual
  Skoda Roomster

  12.4% All 2012 cars

  6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.1% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

• Individual direction indicators3.1× usual
  Skoda Roomster

  9% All 2012 cars

  2.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 1.1% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.6× usual
  Skoda Roomster

  9.8% All 2012 cars

  3.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, 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 Roomster petrol MOT failures and advisories

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

• Tyres
  31% 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
  26% 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.

• Suspension
  25% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  23% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Oil and fluid leaks
  13% 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.

• Driveshafts and joints
  10% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

Known faults on the 2012 Skoda Roomster 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.

• Timing chain wear (1.2 TSI petrol)

  1.2 TSI petrol (older engine)

  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.

  At the viewing: 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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 Skoda Roomster petrol

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

1. Has the timing chain been changed, and is there an invoice? Does it rattle when you start it from cold?
2. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2012 Skoda Roomster petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the individual direction indicators? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the 2012 Skoda Roomster petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the 2012 Skoda Roomster petrol as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?