Used car guide

2021 Skoda Karoq: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2021 Skoda Karoqs, from 11,179 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

11,179MOT tests in 2025
89%pass first time (all 2021 cars: 87%)
7,900typical miles a year
10.9×the usual rate for shock absorbers

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2021 Skoda Karoqs than on all cars registered in 2021.

  • Shock absorbers10.9× usual
    Skoda Karoq
    18.6% All 2021 cars
    1.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 0.3% of all 2021 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

  • Brake pads1.7× usual
    Skoda Karoq
    11.7% All 2021 cars
    6.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 1.2% of all 2021 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints3.2× usual
    Skoda Karoq
    3.5% All 2021 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.2% of all 2021 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

By area

The share of 2021 Skoda Karoq MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    27% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Suspension
    21% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    14% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Seats and seatbelts
    4% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    3% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Lights and electrics
    3% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2023659Tyres 19%
20228,697Tyres 22%
202012,352Tyres 29%
201914,414Tyres 28%
201813,932Tyres 27%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2021 Skoda Karoqs registered in 2021. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score