Comparison · family hatchbacks

Skoda Octavia vs Kia Ceed: which is more reliable?

The Skoda Octavia does better at the MOT, with a score of 104 against 93 for the Kia Ceed, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 316,603 real MOT tests in 2024.

Skoda Octavia

104Above average
MOT tests200,397

Kia Ceed

93Below average
MOT tests116,206

By age

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

Age at testSkoda OctaviaKia Ceed
3–5 years
101About average
97Below average
6–9 years
105Above average
99About average
10–14 years
106Above average
88Well below average
15+ years
100About average
87Well below average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearSkoda OctaviaKia Ceed
202189.7%84.0%
202087.6%84.1%
201985.6%82.3%
201885.0%81.9%
201783.2%78.3%
201681.2%76.2%
201578.9%72.4%
201476.5%65.6%
201372.1%60.9%
201266.1%55.7%
201163.7%50.0%
201062.2%50.3%
200960.5%51.5%
200857.3%49.9%
200756.3%48.0%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaSkoda OctaviaKia Ceed
Lights & electrics10.818.5
Brakes8.115.7
Suspension10.311.1
Tyres7.18.9
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)2.46.3
Steering0.85.0
Emissions & leaks3.22.3
Body & chassis2.41.9

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%

Kia Ceed: top failures

  1. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play3.0%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.9%
  3. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements2.6%
  4. Position lamp: not working2.6%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.5%
  6. Service brake performance: excessively binding2.0%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Skoda Octavia or the Kia Ceed?

The Skoda Octavia does better at the MOT, with a score of 104 against 93 for the Kia Ceed, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Skoda Octavia and Kia Ceed can be compared?

Both were tested for 15 registration years (2007–2021). The Skoda Octavia had the higher pass rate in 15 of them and the Kia Ceed in 0.

What fails most on each?

Skoda Octavia: coil spring: fractured or broken; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Kia Ceed: track rod end: ball joint has excessive play; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm.