Used car guide

2021 Skoda Kodiaq: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2021 Skoda Kodiaqs, from 6,827 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

6,827MOT tests in 2025
89%pass first time (all 2021 cars: 87%)
9,400typical miles a year
9.4×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

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

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints9.4× usual
    Skoda Kodiaq
    10.3% All 2021 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, 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.

  • Brake pads2× usual
    Skoda Kodiaq
    13.5% All 2021 cars
    6.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, 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.

  • Brake discs1.6× usual
    Skoda Kodiaq
    11.6% All 2021 cars
    7.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.3% of all 2021 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

  • Shock absorbers3.2× usual
    Skoda Kodiaq
    5.4% All 2021 cars
    1.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, 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.

By area

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

  • Tyres
    23% 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.

  • Brakes
    20% 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.

  • Suspension
    14% 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.

  • Seats and seatbelts
    6% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    4% 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
    2% 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
2023539Tyres 16%
20227,471Tyres 25%
20207,290Tyres 28%
20198,664Tyres 30%
20187,532Tyres 29%
20176,170Tyres 28%

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