Used car guide

2001 Skoda Octavia: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2001 Skoda Octavias, from 459 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 459 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

459MOT tests in 2025
59%pass first time (all 2001 cars: 61%)
5,600typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2001 Skoda Octavias than on all cars registered in 2001.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.1× usual
    Skoda Octavia
    15.9% All 2001 cars
    7.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 1.5% of all 2001 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.

  • Individual direction indicators3.2× usual
    Skoda Octavia
    11.3% All 2001 cars
    3.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.6%, against 1.5% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Coil springs1.8× usual
    Skoda Octavia
    18.1% All 2001 cars
    9.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 1.8% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Track rod ends2.1× usual
    Skoda Octavia
    10.7% All 2001 cars
    5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 1.8% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

By area

The share of 2001 Skoda Octavia MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    55% 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
    41% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    36% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    33% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    20% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    17% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2023715Tyres 18%
20226,241Tyres 25%
20219,632Tyres 25%
202011,969Tyres 27%
201919,669Tyres 27%
201816,496Tyres 27%
201718,117Tyres 28%
201619,945Tyres 28%
201518,429Tyres 30%
201416,202Tyres 31%
201310,178Suspension 37%
20129,820Suspension 47%
201110,096Suspension 52%
20108,198Suspension 54%
20095,813Suspension 55%
20084,659Suspension 58%
20074,750Suspension 59%
20063,852Suspension 56%
20052,306Suspension 56%
20041,380Suspension 53%
20031,080Suspension 54%
2002687Suspension 52%
2000124Brakes 55%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2001 Skoda Octavias registered in 2001. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score