2004 · 20 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2004 Skoda Octavia MOT pass rate and common faults

1,766 MOT tests in 2024. 58.9% passed first time, compared with 56.4% for all cars the same age.

104Above average
Passed first time58.9%
Failed or needed repairs41.1%
Typical mileage at test145,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,766 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.8%
  2. Coil spring: fractured or broken4.3%
  3. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.9%
  4. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play3.3%
  5. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements3.2%
  6. Position lamp: not working3.1%
  7. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded2.9%
  8. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.7%
  9. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn2.7%
  10. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases2.4%

Problem areas

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

  1. Brakes24.5%
  2. Lights & electrics23.0%
  3. Suspension22.7%
  4. Body & chassis12.9%
  5. Steering10.4%
  6. Emissions & leaks8.5%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.8%
  8. Tyres6.6%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm18.1%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded16.8%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened13.5%
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn13.3%
  5. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine12.5%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. 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 2004 Skoda Octavia?

In 2024, 58.9% of 2004 Skoda Octavia cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,766 tests. The average for all 20-year-old cars was 56.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2004 Skoda Octavia?

The most common failure reasons were joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; coil spring: fractured or broken; suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 2004 Skoda Octavia reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 104, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).