Used car guide

2011 Skoda Roomster: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2011 Skoda Roomsters, from 1,491 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,491MOT tests in 2025
66%pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%)
6,100typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for steering rack inner joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2011 Skoda Roomsters than on all cars registered in 2011.

  • Steering rack inner joints2.3× usual
    Skoda Roomster
    6% All 2011 cars
    2.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2011 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.

  • Individual direction indicators2× usual
    Skoda Roomster
    6.1% All 2011 cars
    3.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 1.2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Front strut mounts and bushes3.9× usual
    Skoda Roomster
    2.7% All 2011 cars
    0.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.1% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 1.9% here, against 6.1% of all 2011 cars. Ball joint: 2.3% here, against 6.1% of all 2011 cars.

By area

The share of 2011 Skoda Roomster MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    37% 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
    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.

  • Brakes
    31% 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
    24% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    13% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    10% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Looking at a Skoda Roomster?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20151,673Tyres 31%
20142,729Tyres 30%
20132,600Tyres 32%
20122,324Tyres 33%
20101,218Tyres 39%
20091,069Suspension 46%
20081,903Suspension 49%
20072,132Suspension 49%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2011 Skoda Roomsters registered in 2011. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score