Comparison · family hatchbacks

Skoda Octavia vs Toyota Corolla: which is more reliable?

The Skoda Octavia and Toyota Corolla are very close at the MOT: scores of 104 and 103. Pick on the condition and history of the actual car. Based on 309,663 real MOT tests in 2024.

Skoda Octavia

104Above average
MOT tests200,397

Toyota Corolla

103Above average
MOT tests109,266

By age

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

Age at testSkoda OctaviaToyota Corolla
3–5 years
101About average
103Above average
6–9 years
105Above average
–
10–14 years
106Above average
–
15+ years
100About average
104Above average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearSkoda OctaviaToyota Corolla
202189.7%89.3%
202087.6%89.1%
201985.6%88.5%
200960.5%61.6%
200857.3%61.2%
200756.3%59.5%
200654.6%60.5%
200555.5%59.6%
200458.9%56.6%
200358.0%56.8%
200258.4%56.9%
200156.8%62.4%
200051.1%62.6%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaSkoda OctaviaToyota Corolla
Lights & electrics10.818.2
Brakes8.111.6
Suspension10.35.6
Tyres7.15.8
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)2.46.5
Emissions & leaks3.23.4
Body & chassis2.43.4
Seat belts & airbags1.11.0

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%

Toyota Corolla: top failures

  1. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.2%
  2. Position lamp: not working2.8%
  3. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.1%
  4. Stop lamp: not working1.8%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.6%
  6. Service brake performance: excessively binding1.5%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Skoda Octavia or the Toyota Corolla?

The Skoda Octavia and Toyota Corolla are very close at the MOT: scores of 104 and 103. Pick on the condition and history of the actual car.

Which years of the Skoda Octavia and Toyota Corolla can be compared?

Both were tested for 13 registration years (2000–2021). The Skoda Octavia had the higher pass rate in 4 of them and the Toyota Corolla in 9.

What fails most on each?

Skoda Octavia: coil spring: fractured or broken; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Toyota Corolla: wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively; position lamp: not working.