Used car guide

2012 Skoda Yeti: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Skoda Yetis, from 6,536 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

6,536MOT tests in 2025
67%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
7,600typical miles a year
2.6×the usual rate for suspension arm

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Skoda Yetis than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Suspension arm2.6× usual
    Skoda Yeti
    6.7% All 2012 cars
    2.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.2% of all 2012 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.

  • Sub-frame1.8× usual
    Skoda Yeti
    9.1% All 2012 cars
    5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.3% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints1.8× usual
    Skoda Yeti
    7.9% All 2012 cars
    4.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 2.1% of all 2012 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.

  • Link ball joint covers2.2× usual
    Skoda Yeti
    5.6% All 2012 cars
    2.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 1.4% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Better than most

Number plate lights: 2.5% here, against 7.3% of all 2012 cars. Rigid brake pipes: 0.9% here, against 5.5% of all 2012 cars.

By area

The share of 2012 Skoda Yeti MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    41% 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
    28% 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
    25% 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
    16% 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
    8% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    6% 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 Yeti?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
201711,162Tyres 24%
201613,180Suspension 27%
201512,605Suspension 37%
201412,192Suspension 38%
201310,102Suspension 40%
20115,020Suspension 46%
20103,521Suspension 54%
2009509Suspension 52%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2012 Skoda Yetis registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score