Used car guide

2013 Skoda Roomster: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2013 Skoda Roomsters, from 2,600 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,600MOT tests in 2025
70%pass first time (all 2013 cars: 66%)
6,200typical miles a year
4.4×the usual rate for individual direction indicators

What stands out

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

  • Individual direction indicators4.4× usual
    Skoda Roomster
    7.9% All 2013 cars
    1.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 0.7% of all 2013 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.

  • Steering rack inner joints3.7× usual
    Skoda Roomster
    8.2% 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 Roomster
    14.8% All 2013 cars
    8.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, 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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.4× usual
    Skoda Roomster
    7.9% All 2013 cars
    3.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, 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.

Better than most

Shock absorbers: 1% here, against 6% of all 2013 cars. Ball joint: 2.1% here, against 5% of all 2013 cars.

By area

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

  • Tyres
    32% 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
    29% 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.

  • Suspension
    28% 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.

  • 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.

  • Steering
    10% 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.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    8% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

Looking at a Skoda Roomster?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20151,673Tyres 31%
20142,729Tyres 30%
20122,324Tyres 33%
20111,491Suspension 37%
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 2013 Skoda Roomsters registered in 2013. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score