Used car guide · 2012–2021

Skoda Citigo common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Skoda Citigo, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 155,012 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

155,012MOTs done in 2023–2025, all years of this model
51,943on the UK register
1known fault across all years
2012best year at its MOT

Pick the year

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

2021202020192018201720162015201420132012

What usually goes wrong with a Skoda Citigo?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Sunroof recall (built Mar to Apr 2016)

    Cars registered in 2016 · Panoramic sunroof, built 2016

    Cars with a panoramic sunroof built March to April 2016 were recalled because the roof could come off. Other recalls covered airbags (2013), child locks (2016) and towing eyes (2017).

    At the viewing: Ask a Skoda dealer to confirm the recalls were done.

    Source: Auto Express: used Skoda Citigo (Mk1, 2012-2019) problems and recalls

Common Skoda Citigo MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

  • Braking performance

    up to 3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

    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.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

    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.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)

    up to 6.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2015 and 2016.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Sidelights

    up to 4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2015 and 2016.

    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 joints

    up to 1.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2012 and 2014.

    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.

Skoda Citigo MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2012 Skoda Citigo did best (76% passed first time, 12 points above all 2012 cars) and the 2016 did worst (76%, 1 point below all 2016 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202088%87% +1825
201990%85% +513,399
201885%83% +215,871
201782%80% +218,666
201676%77% -123,205
201578%74% +423,925
201477%70% +727,179
201377%67% +1020,795
201276%64% +1211,147

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Skoda Citigo

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Has the sunroof recall been done?
  2. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the Skoda Citigo as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the Skoda Citigo as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 6.3× as often on the Skoda Citigo as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Skoda Citigo?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score