2012 · 12 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2012 Skoda Octavia MOT pass rate and common faults

10,449 MOT tests in 2024. 66.1% passed first time, compared with 64.3% for all cars the same age.

103Above average
Passed first time66.1%
Failed or needed repairs33.9%
Typical mileage at test114,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 10,449 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken5.6%
  2. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.7%
  3. Position lamp: not working2.5%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.5%
    395 marked dangerous
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.5%
    315 marked dangerous
  6. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.3%
    302 marked dangerous
  7. Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn2.3%
  8. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak2.0%
  9. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.0%
  10. Service brake performance: excessively binding1.8%

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension18.9%
  2. Lights & electrics18.0%
  3. Brakes10.4%
  4. Tyres8.2%
  5. Body & chassis3.8%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.7%
  7. Emissions & leaks3.1%
  8. Seat belts & airbags1.8%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm21.0%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened12.1%
  3. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn11.9%
  4. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak9.7%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick8.2%

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: 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 2012 Skoda Octavia?

In 2024, 66.1% of 2012 Skoda Octavia cars passed their MOT first time, across 10,449 tests. The average for all 12-year-old cars was 64.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2012 Skoda Octavia?

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; position lamp: not working. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2012 Skoda Octavia reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 103, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).