2003 · 21 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2003 Skoda Octavia MOT pass rate and common faults

1,357 MOT tests in 2024. 58.0% passed first time, compared with 57.3% for all cars the same age.

101About average
Passed first time58.0%
Failed or needed repairs42.0%
Typical mileage at test145,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,357 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken4.6%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn4.4%
  3. Stop lamp: not working3.1%
  4. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements2.9%
  5. Position lamp: not working2.9%
  6. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases2.9%
  7. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.7%
    58 marked dangerous
  8. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.5%
  9. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play2.4%
  10. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.4%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics24.5%
  2. Suspension23.9%
  3. Brakes19.9%
  4. Body & chassis11.5%
  5. Emissions & leaks10.3%
  6. Tyres7.1%
  7. Steering6.9%
  8. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.8%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded22.7%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm19.2%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened13.3%
  4. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine12.9%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn11.8%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year is about as good as an average car its age. Before buying, check the area that fails most: coil spring: fractured or broken. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2003 Skoda Octavia?

In 2024, 58.0% of 2003 Skoda Octavia cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,357 tests. The average for all 21-year-old cars was 57.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2003 Skoda Octavia?

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn; stop lamp: not working. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2003 Skoda Octavia reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 101, which is about average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).