Used car guide

2017 Skoda Rapid: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2017 Skoda Rapids, from 3,856 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

3,856MOT tests in 2025
75%pass first time (all 2017 cars: 78%)
8,000typical miles a year
4.6×the usual rate for shock absorbers

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2017 Skoda Rapids than on all cars registered in 2017.

  • Shock absorbers4.6× usual
    Skoda Rapid
    16.9% All 2017 cars
    3.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.7% of all 2017 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 joints3.2× usual
    Skoda Rapid
    15.2% All 2017 cars
    4.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.5%, against 0.9% of all 2017 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.

  • Number plates2.2× usual
    Skoda Rapid
    4% All 2017 cars
    1.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.2% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

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

  • Braking performance2× usual
    Skoda Rapid
    3.6% All 2017 cars
    1.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.6% of all 2017 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.

By area

The share of 2017 Skoda Rapid MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    33% 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
    31% 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
    26% 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
    9% 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.

  • Seats and seatbelts
    3% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Looking at a Skoda Rapid?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20182,140Tyres 33%
20163,982Tyres 35%
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 2017 Skoda Rapids registered in 2017. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score