2012 Skoda Yeti diesel: common problems and MOT failures

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

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

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2× usual
  Skoda Yeti

  7.6% All 2012 cars

  3.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, 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.

• Suspension arm2.8× usual
  Skoda Yeti

  5.3% All 2012 cars

  1.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.9%, against 0.2% of all 2012 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.

• Sub-frame2× usual
  Skoda Yeti

  6.9% All 2012 cars

  3.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

• Link ball joint covers2.2× usual
  Skoda Yeti

  4.3% All 2012 cars

  2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 1.1% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

• Engine warning light1.8× usual
  Skoda Yeti

  3.1% All 2012 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 1.7% 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.

Common 2012 Skoda Yeti diesel MOT failures and advisories

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

• Suspension
  38% 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.

• Tyres
  29% 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
  27% 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
  15% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Driveshafts and joints
  8% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  6% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Known faults on the 2012 Skoda Yeti diesel

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.

• Exhaust sensors and sill rust

  All engines

  Some owners report failing exhaust sensors and rust on the sills.

  At the viewing: Look along the sills and check for warning lights.

  Source: What Car?: used Skoda Yeti (2009-2017) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 Skoda Yeti 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× as often on the 2012 Skoda Yeti diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the 2012 Skoda Yeti diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2012 Skoda Yeti diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?