Used car guide · 2002–2026

Skoda Superb common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Skoda Superb, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 192,285 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

192,285MOTs done in 2023–2025, all years of this model
82,176on the UK register
2known faults across all years
2005best year at its MOT

Pick the year

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

2026202520242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002

What usually goes wrong with a Skoda Superb?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Eight recalls

    Cars registered 2015–2024 · All engines

    Recalls covered an electrical cable clamp, sunroof software, airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners (several times), rear hubs, software that could stall the engine and eCall.

    At the viewing: Ask a Skoda dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.

    Source: Auto Express: used Skoda Superb (Mk3, 2015-2024) buyer’s guide

  • Cambelt and DSG oil (servicing)

    Cars registered 2015–2024 · Diesel and DSG

    Diesels need a cambelt on schedule, and the DSG gearbox needs fluid changes.

    At the viewing: Ask for invoices for the cambelt and DSG oil change.

    Source: Auto Express: used Skoda Superb (Mk3, 2015-2024) buyer’s guide

Common Skoda Superb MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Shock absorbers

    up to 7.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

    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.

  • Side repeaters

    up to 3.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2011, 2012 and 2013.

    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.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 3.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2019, 2020 and 2021.

    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.

  • Brake discs

    up to 2.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2019, 2020 and 2021.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

  • Suspension arm

    up to 5.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2011 and 2014.

    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.

  • Individual direction indicators

    up to 2.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2012 and 2013.

    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.

Diesel

  • Shock absorbers

    up to 11× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.

    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

    up to 11.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

    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 repeaters

    up to 4.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

    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.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints

    up to 3.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Windscreen

    up to 2.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

    Rough price £60–£300 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check for chips or cracks in the driver's view.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 4.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

    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.

Hybrid

  • Shock absorbers

    up to 11.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2020.

    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 joints

    up to 6.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2020.

    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.

  • Brake discs

    up to 2.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2020.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

Skoda Superb MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2005 Skoda Superb did best (62% passed first time, 5 points above all 2005 cars) and the 2020 did worst (85%, 2 points below all 2020 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202395%92% +3963
202289%89% +03,914
202186%87% -18,565
202085%87% -214,720
201984%85% -120,331
201884%83% +122,345
201782%80% +227,382
201681%77% +424,806
201574%74% +013,947
201471%70% +113,642
201369%67% +210,919
201266%64% +211,487
201165%62% +38,097
201063%60% +35,254
200962%59% +32,695
200861%57% +4955
200759%57% +2510
200660%56% +4485 (small sample)
200562%57% +5509
200460%57% +3378 (small sample)
200361%57% +4263 (small sample)
200258%58% +0118 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Skoda Superb

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 9.5× as often on the Skoda Superb as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the side repeaters? (Flagged at MOT 4.6× as often on the Skoda Superb as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 11× as often on the Skoda Superb as on other cars the same age.)
  4. 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, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score