Used car guide

2015 Skoda Octavia: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2015 Skoda Octavias, from 18,421 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

18,421MOT tests in 2025
77%pass first time (all 2015 cars: 72%)
10,200typical miles a year
3.3×the usual rate for shock absorbers

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2015 Skoda Octavias than on all cars registered in 2015.

  • Shock absorbers3.3× usual
    Skoda Octavia
    17.1% All 2015 cars
    5.2%
    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.

  • Braking performance1.7× usual
    Skoda Octavia
    5.3% All 2015 cars
    3.2%
    Rough price £100–£350

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Number plates1.7× usual
    Skoda Octavia
    4% All 2015 cars
    2.4%
    Rough price £5–£40

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

  • Headlamp aim1.6× usual
    Skoda Octavia
    4.1% All 2015 cars
    2.6%
    Rough price £20–£60

    At the viewing: Park facing a wall at night or in a garage and check both headlight beams sit level. Aim is a cheap adjustment.

By area

The share of 2015 Skoda Octavia MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    30% 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
    29% 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
    25% 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
    12% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    6% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    5% 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%
201416,192Tyres 31%
201310,171Suspension 37%
20129,805Suspension 47%
201110,080Suspension 52%
20108,184Suspension 54%
20095,812Suspension 55%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2015 Skoda Octavias registered in 2015. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score