Used car guide · 2017–2026

Skoda Kodiaq common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Skoda Kodiaq, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 111,093 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 2026 Skoda Kodiaq

Cars registered in 2026 haven’t had their first MOT yet (it’s due at 3 years old), so there are no MOT results to show. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Skoda Kodiaq as a whole.

7,250registered new in 2026 so far
2029first MOT due
Petrolmost common fuel (also diesel)
What to check on a 2026 car
  • Warranty left

    Ask for the date it was first registered and check how much of the maker’s warranty is left, and that it transfers to you. Electric and hybrid batteries usually have a longer, separate warranty.

  • Servicing

    Servicing on time with the maker’s schedule keeps the warranty valid. Ask for the service book or the dealer’s digital record.

  • Finance

    Nearly new cars are often still on finance. A history check shows outstanding finance, and whether it has been written off or stolen.

  • Recalls

    Ask whether any recall work has been done, and check the reg on GOV.UK’s free recall checker.

  • Logbook (V5C)

    The name and address should match the seller, and the VIN on the V5C should match the car.

Check for recalls on GOV.UK

Other years

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).

2026202520242023202220212020201920182017

What usually goes wrong with a Skoda Kodiaq?

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.

  • Seat, airbag and brake pedal recalls

    Cars registered 2017–2024 · Some cars

    Small recalls covered rear seat nuts, airbags, cracked front seat frames, engine software (built Oct 2018 to June 2019) and a brake pedal weld (built July 2020).

    At the viewing: Ask a Skoda dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.

    Source: Auto Express: used Skoda Kodiaq (Mk1, 2017-2024) review

  • Jerky seven-speed DSG

    Cars registered 2017–2024 · DSG automatic

    Some owners find the seven-speed DSG jerky.

    At the viewing: Drive in slow traffic and feel for jerky changes.

    Source: Auto Express: used Skoda Kodiaq (Mk1, 2017-2024) review

Common Skoda Kodiaq MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 9.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

    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.

  • Shock absorbers

    up to 3.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

    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.

  • Brake pads

    up to 3.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

  • Number plates

    up to 2.8× usual

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

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

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

  • Brake discs

    up to 1.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2020 and 2021.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

Diesel

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 10.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

    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.

  • Shock absorbers

    up to 3.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

    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.

  • Brake pads

    up to 3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

  • Number plates

    up to 2.1× usual

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

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

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

  • Brake discs

    up to 1.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2020 and 2021.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

Skoda Kodiaq MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2017 Skoda Kodiaq did best (87% passed first time, 7 points above all 2017 cars) and the 2022 did worst (90%, 1 point above all 2022 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202394%92% +2748
202290%89% +17,967
202190%87% +313,752
202089%87% +221,891
201987%85% +226,002
201888%83% +522,450
201787%80% +718,283

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Skoda Kodiaq

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

  1. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 9.1× as often on the Skoda Kodiaq as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 3.4× as often on the Skoda Kodiaq as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the Skoda Kodiaq as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Skoda Kodiaq?

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