2018 Skoda Octavia: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2018 Skoda Octavia?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2018 Skoda Octavia than on all cars registered in 2018.

• Shock absorbers7.7× usual
  Skoda Octavia

  17.6% All 2018 cars

  2.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 0.4% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

• Braking performance2.2× usual
  Skoda Octavia

  2.6% All 2018 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.4% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

• Number plates1.9× usual
  Skoda Octavia

  2.6% All 2018 cars

  1.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.2% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

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

• Headlight aim1.8× usual
  Skoda Octavia

  2.9% All 2018 cars

  1.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 1.6% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £20–£60 our estimate

  At the viewing: Park facing a wall at night or in a garage and check both headlight beams sit level. Aim is a cheap adjustment.

Petrol or diesel: does it make a difference?

The same figures for each fuel on its own. Check which one the car you're looking at is: it's on the logbook and in its MOT history.

Common 2018 Skoda Octavia MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2018 Skoda Octavia MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  26% 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.

• Suspension
  21% 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.

• Brakes
  18% 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
  6% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  4% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

• Seats and seatbelts
  3% of testsRough price £80–£250

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Known faults on the 2018 Skoda Octavia

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Juddering DSG automatic gearbox

  DSG automatic

  The 7-speed DSG, especially the dry-clutch version on smaller engines, can judder at low speed or hesitate pulling away. The mechatronic control unit can also be clunky.

  At the viewing: Pull away gently from a standstill several times and creep in traffic. Any judder or hesitation needs a proper diagnosis before you buy.

  If it needs doing: Gearbox sensor or solenoid, about £200–£500. ClickMechanic

  Source: Haynes: Skoda Octavia Mk3 common faults

• Leaking water pump and thermostat housing (TSI petrol)

  1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 TSI petrol

  The plastic water pump and thermostat housing on the 1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 TSI petrol engines can start to weep coolant. It often shows as a falling coolant level or a sweet smell before any warning light.

  At the viewing: Look for dried coolant around the top of the engine and check the coolant is between the marks.

  If it needs doing: Water pump, about £115–£375. ClickMechanic

  Source: Haynes: Skoda Octavia Mk3 common faults

• Blocked DPF and sticking EGR valve (TDI diesel)

  1.6 and 2.0 TDI diesel

  On the 1.6 and 2.0 TDI, lots of short journeys stop the diesel particulate filter cleaning itself, leading to warning lights and eventually a blocked filter. Later Euro 6 cars also have an AdBlue system to look after.

  At the viewing: Check for warning lights and ask how the car has been used. A diesel that's only done short trips is a risk.

  If it needs doing: DPF clean or regeneration, about £160–£500. ClickMechanic

  Source: Haynes: Skoda Octavia Mk3 common faults

• Oil use on 1.8 and 2.0 TSI (including vRS)

  1.8 and 2.0 TSI petrol

  Some 1.8 and 2.0 TSI petrol engines burn oil between services.

  At the viewing: Check the dipstick: a low level on a recently serviced car is a warning sign.

  Source: Haynes: Skoda Octavia Mk3 common faults

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2018 Skoda Octavia

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

1. Has the gearbox oil been changed on schedule, and has the gearbox had any work?
2. Has the coolant ever needed topping up, or the water pump been replaced?
3. Has the car done regular longer runs, and has the DPF ever been cleaned or replaced?
4. Does it use oil between services?
5. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 7.7× as often on the 2018 Skoda Octavia as on other cars the same age.)
6. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2018 Skoda Octavia as on other cars the same age.)