Used car guide

2003 Skoda Superb diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Skoda Superb first registered in 2003 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 214 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 214 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

214MOTs of 2003 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
61%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 57%)
7,600typical miles a year
2.6×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2003 Skoda Superb diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2003 Skoda Superb diesel than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.6× usual
    Skoda Superb
    17.3% All 2003 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.6%, against 2.9% of all 2003 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 2003 Skoda Superb diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2003 Skoda Superb diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    49% 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
    39% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Brakes
    37% 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
    33% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    24% 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
    19% 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 2003 Skoda Superb 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 drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the 2003 Skoda Superb diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Skoda Superb?

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 Superb compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023963Tyres 11%
20223,914Tyres 23%
20218,565Tyres 26%
202014,720Tyres 26%
201920,331Tyres 28%
201822,345Tyres 29%
201727,382Tyres 28%
201624,806Tyres 29%
201513,947Tyres 32%
201413,642Tyres 33%
201310,919Tyres 32%
201211,487Suspension 36%
20118,097Suspension 40%
20105,254Suspension 47%
20092,695Suspension 47%
2008955Suspension 47%
2007510Lights and electrics 40%
2006485Suspension 40%
2005509Tyres 37%
2004378Suspension 43%
2002118Lights and electrics 46%

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 Superb cars first registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score