Comparison · family hatchbacks

Skoda Octavia vs Hyundai i30: which is more reliable?

The Skoda Octavia does better at the MOT, with a score of 104 against 92 for the Hyundai i30, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 303,747 real MOT tests in 2024.

Skoda Octavia

104Above average
MOT tests200,397

Hyundai i30

92Below average
MOT tests103,350

By age

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

Age at testSkoda OctaviaHyundai i30
3–5 years
101About average
101About average
6–9 years
105Above average
96Below average
10–14 years
106Above average
88Well below average
15+ years
100About average
91Well below average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearSkoda OctaviaHyundai i30
202189.7%85.4%
202087.6%85.5%
201985.6%87.3%
201885.0%84.4%
201783.2%80.2%
201681.2%71.0%
201578.9%68.8%
201476.5%62.3%
201372.1%57.8%
201266.1%55.9%
201163.7%54.3%
201062.2%52.5%
200960.5%53.7%
200857.3%49.9%
200756.3%50.3%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaSkoda OctaviaHyundai i30
Lights & electrics10.821.1
Brakes8.121.1
Suspension10.311.3
Tyres7.18.3
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)2.45.5
Steering0.86.2
Emissions & leaks3.22.1
Body & chassis2.42.1

Skoda Octavia: top failures

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

Hyundai i30: top failures

  1. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements4.9%
  2. Stop lamp: not working4.4%
  3. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play3.8%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.1%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.6%
  6. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam2.3%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Skoda Octavia or the Hyundai i30?

The Skoda Octavia does better at the MOT, with a score of 104 against 92 for the Hyundai i30, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Skoda Octavia and Hyundai i30 can be compared?

Both were tested for 15 registration years (2007–2021). The Skoda Octavia had the higher pass rate in 14 of them and the Hyundai i30 in 1.

What fails most on each?

Skoda Octavia: coil spring: fractured or broken; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Hyundai i30: rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements; stop lamp: not working.