2021 Skoda Octavia: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2021 Skoda Octavia?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2021 Skoda Octavia than on all cars registered in 2021.

• Shock absorbers3.9× usual
  Skoda Octavia

  6.7% All 2021 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.9%, against 0.3% of all 2021 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.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints4.6× usual
  Skoda Octavia

  5.1% All 2021 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.2% of all 2021 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.

Common 2021 Skoda Octavia MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2021 Skoda Octavia MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  25% 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
  12% 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
  10% 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
  4% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

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

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

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  3% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Known faults on the 2021 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.

• Infotainment glitches and electrical faults

  All engines

  54% of cars in What Car?'s survey had a fault, most often sat nav and infotainment, plus battery, trim and electrical niggles. All were fixed free, but a third took over a week.

  At the viewing: Use the screen and sat nav, and test the electrics.

  Source: What Car?: used Skoda Octavia (2020 on) reliability

• Water pump failures

  All engines

  Water pump failures with large bills are reported.

  At the viewing: Watch the temperature gauge and look for coolant leaks.

  Source: What Car?: used Skoda Octavia (2020 on) reliability

• Plug-in hybrid fuse and engine cover recalls

  Some cars

  About 2,000 plug-in hybrids were recalled for a high-voltage fuse, and about 1,150 cars for engine covers that could come loose.

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

  Source: What Car?: used Skoda Octavia (2020 on) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2021 Skoda Octavia

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

1. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 3.9× as often on the 2021 Skoda Octavia as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 4.6× as often on the 2021 Skoda Octavia as on other cars the same age.)
3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?