Used car guide

2016 Skoda Rapid: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2016 Skoda Rapids, from 3,982 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

3,982MOT tests in 2025
74%pass first time (all 2016 cars: 75%)
8,400typical miles a year
3.5×the usual rate for shock absorbers

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2016 Skoda Rapids than on all cars registered in 2016.

  • Shock absorbers3.5× usual
    Skoda Rapid
    15% All 2016 cars
    4.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.4%, against 0.9% of all 2016 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.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.6× usual
    Skoda Rapid
    16.1% All 2016 cars
    6.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.8%, against 1.1% of all 2016 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.

  • Brake discs1.7× usual
    Skoda Rapid
    20.4% All 2016 cars
    12.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 0.8% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

  • Braking performance1.8× usual
    Skoda Rapid
    4.5% All 2016 cars
    2.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 0.8% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    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.

Better than most

Coil springs: 1.9% here, against 4.1% of all 2016 cars.

By area

The share of 2016 Skoda Rapid MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    35% 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
    33% 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
    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.

  • Lights and electrics
    11% 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
    5% 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
    4% 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.

Looking at a Skoda Rapid?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20182,140Tyres 33%
20173,856Tyres 33%
20153,045Suspension 38%
20145,096Suspension 40%
20132,778Suspension 39%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2016 Skoda Rapids registered in 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score