Used car guide · 2013–2020

Skoda Octavia Mk3: best and worst years, and what goes wrong

How every year of the Skoda Octavia Mk3 did at its MOT in 2025 compared with other cars the same age, the weak spots that keep coming up, and what to check before you buy one. From 127,295 MOT tests.

2014best year: 76% pass first time, 7 points above all 2014 cars
2019weakest year: 83% pass first time, 1 points below all 2019 cars
Shock absorbersthe weak spot that shows up in 6 different years

Year by year

First-time MOT pass rate for each year of the Skoda Octavia Mk3, against all cars registered the same year. Older cars fail more, so the comparison with cars the same age is what matters.

50%75%100%2013: 71% pass first time (all 2013 cars: 66%) 71% 2013*2014: 76% pass first time (all 2014 cars: 69%) 76% 20142015: 77% pass first time (all 2015 cars: 72%) 77% 20152016: 81% pass first time (all 2016 cars: 75%) 81% 20162017: 82% pass first time (all 2017 cars: 78%) 82% 20172018: 83% pass first time (all 2018 cars: 81%) 83% 20182019: 83% pass first time (all 2019 cars: 84%) 83% 20192020: 86% pass first time (all 2020 cars: 86%) 86% 2020*
This model, first-time pass rate All cars registered that year · * changeover year: some cars are the previous or next generation
YearPass first timeAll cars that yearStands outMOT tests
2013*71%66% +5Shock absorbers 3× usual10,171
201476%69% +7Shock absorbers 2.8× usual16,192
201577%72% +5Shock absorbers 3.3× usual18,421
201681%75% +6Shock absorbers 3.4× usual19,942
201782%78% +4Shock absorbers 5.2× usual18,112
201883%81% +2Shock absorbers 6.6× usual16,493
201983%84% -1Shock absorbers 7.1× usual19,661
2020*86%86% +0Shock absorbers 8.1× usual8,303

Weak spots across the Skoda Octavia Mk3

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year of this generation. Repeat findings like these are much less likely to be chance.

  • Shock absorbersup to 7.1× usual

    Stands out in 6 years: 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014.

    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.

  • Braking performanceup to 2.4× usual

    Stands out in 6 years: 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

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

  • Number platesup to 1.8× usual

    Stands out in 4 years: 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

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

  • Headlight aimup to 1.9× usual

    Stands out in 3 years: 2019, 2018, 2015.

    Rough price £20–£60 our estimate

    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.

Known faults

From owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Not every car will have them.

  • Juddering DSG automatic gearbox

    The 7-speed DSG, especially the dry-clutch version on smaller engines, can judder at low speed or hesitate pulling away. The mechatronic control unit can also be clunky.

    Check: Pull away gently from a standstill several times and creep in traffic. Any judder or hesitation needs a proper diagnosis before you buy.

    If it needs doing: Gearbox sensor or solenoid, about £200–£500. ClickMechanic

    Source: Haynes: Skoda Octavia Mk3 common faults

  • Leaking water pump and thermostat housing (TSI petrol)

    The plastic water pump and thermostat housing on the 1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 TSI petrol engines can start to weep coolant. It often shows as a falling coolant level or a sweet smell before any warning light.

    Check: Look for dried coolant around the top of the engine and check the coolant is between the marks.

    If it needs doing: Water pump, about £115–£375. ClickMechanic

    Source: Haynes: Skoda Octavia Mk3 common faults

  • Blocked DPF and sticking EGR valve (TDI diesel)

    On the 1.6 and 2.0 TDI, lots of short journeys stop the diesel particulate filter cleaning itself, leading to warning lights and eventually a blocked filter. Later Euro 6 cars also have an AdBlue system to look after.

    Check: Check for warning lights and ask how the car has been used. A diesel that's only done short trips is a risk.

    If it needs doing: DPF clean or regeneration, about £160–£500. ClickMechanic

    Source: Haynes: Skoda Octavia Mk3 common faults

  • Oil use on 1.8 and 2.0 TSI (including vRS)

    Some 1.8 and 2.0 TSI petrol engines burn oil between services.

    Check: Check the dipstick: a low level on a recently serviced car is a warning sign.

    Source: Haynes: Skoda Octavia Mk3 common faults

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting each car's main test of the year (not retests). A weak spot needs at least 30 cars flagged and must stay 1.5× the usual rate even at the cautious end of a 95% confidence range. Generation years are approximate: cars registered in a changeover year (*) can be either generation. How we score

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