Comparison · family hatchbacks

BMW 1 Series vs Skoda Octavia: which is more reliable?

The BMW 1 Series does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 104 for the Skoda Octavia, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 576,740 real MOT tests in 2024.

BMW 1 Series

106Above average

MOT tests376,343

Skoda Octavia

104Above average

MOT tests200,397

By age

MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).

Age at test	BMW 1 Series	Skoda Octavia
3–5 years	102Above average	101About average
6–9 years	105Above average	105Above average
10–14 years	107Above average	106Above average
15+ years	112Well above average	100About average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

Year	BMW 1 Series	Skoda Octavia
2021	90.4%	89.7%
2020	89.3%	87.6%
2019	86.3%	85.6%
2018	84.4%	85.0%
2017	83.3%	83.2%
2016	80.4%	81.2%
2015	78.0%	78.9%
2014	74.0%	76.5%
2013	71.7%	72.1%
2012	67.5%	66.1%
2011	67.3%	63.7%
2010	66.3%	62.2%
2009	65.5%	60.5%
2008	65.1%	57.3%
2007	64.0%	56.3%
2006	61.4%	54.6%
2005	60.8%	55.5%
2004	61.9%	58.9%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

Area	BMW 1 Series	Skoda Octavia
Lights & electrics	11.4	10.8
Suspension	6.0	10.3
Tyres	8.5	7.1
Brakes	7.3	8.1
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)	4.4	2.4
Emissions & leaks	2.7	3.2
Body & chassis	1.3	2.4
Seat belts & airbags	0.8	1.1

BMW 1 Series: top failures

Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.9%
Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak2.2%
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.8%
Position lamp: not working1.5%
Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.2%
Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.2%

Skoda Octavia: top failures

Coil spring: fractured or broken2.4%
Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.8%
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.8%
Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.6%
Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak1.3%
Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.0%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the BMW 1 Series or the Skoda Octavia?

The BMW 1 Series does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 104 for the Skoda Octavia, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the BMW 1 Series and Skoda Octavia can be compared?

Both were tested for 18 registration years (2004–2021). The BMW 1 Series had the higher pass rate in 13 of them and the Skoda Octavia in 5.

What fails most on each?

BMW 1 Series: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak. Skoda Octavia: coil spring: fractured or broken; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm.