Used car guide

2013 Skoda Rapid: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2013 Skoda Rapids, from 2,778 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,778MOT tests in 2025
68%pass first time (all 2013 cars: 66%)
7,500typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for shock absorbers

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2013 Skoda Rapids than on all cars registered in 2013.

  • Shock absorbers2.1× usual
    Skoda Rapid
    12.6% All 2013 cars
    6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.4%, against 1.3% of all 2013 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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.7× usual
    Skoda Rapid
    8.9% All 2013 cars
    3.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 1.7% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Steering rack inner joints3.5× usual
    Skoda Rapid
    7.6% All 2013 cars
    2.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

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

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints1.7× usual
    Skoda Rapid
    14.4% All 2013 cars
    8.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 1.8% of all 2013 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.

Better than most

Ball joint: 2.3% here, against 5% of all 2013 cars. Sidelights: 1.5% here, against 4% of all 2013 cars.

By area

The share of 2013 Skoda Rapid MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    39% 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
    31% 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
    30% 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
    17% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Driveshafts and joints
    9% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

  • Steering
    9% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

Looking at a Skoda Rapid?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20182,140Tyres 33%
20173,856Tyres 33%
20163,982Tyres 35%
20153,045Suspension 38%
20145,096Suspension 40%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2013 Skoda Rapids registered in 2013. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score