Used car guide

2009 Skoda Octavia: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Skoda Octavias, from 5,812 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

5,812MOT tests in 2025
60%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%)
8,200typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for sub-frame

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2009 Skoda Octavias than on all cars registered in 2009.

  • Sub-frame2.1× usual
    Skoda Octavia
    15.8% All 2009 cars
    7.7%
    Rough price £300–£1,000

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints1.6× usual
    Skoda Octavia
    18.1% All 2009 cars
    11.1%
    Rough price £100–£300

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

  • Side repeaters4.5× usual
    Skoda Octavia
    6.8% All 2009 cars
    1.5%
    Rough price £10–£80

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

  • Shock absorbers1.7× usual
    Skoda Octavia
    12.4% All 2009 cars
    7.5%
    Rough price £150–£400

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

  • Ball joint dust cover2.1× usual
    Skoda Octavia
    9.1% All 2009 cars
    4.4%
    Rough price £80–£200

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Better than most

Headlamp: 2.7% here, against 8.3% of all 2009 cars. Rigid brake pipes: 2% here, against 7.5% of all 2009 cars.

By area

The share of 2009 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.

  • Tyres
    36% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    34% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Brakes
    28% 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.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    10% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    10% 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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20208,303Tyres 27%
201919,661Tyres 27%
201816,493Tyres 27%
201718,112Tyres 28%
201619,942Tyres 28%
201518,421Tyres 30%
201416,192Tyres 31%
201310,171Suspension 37%
20129,805Suspension 47%
201110,080Suspension 52%
20108,184Suspension 54%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2009 Skoda Octavias registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score