Used car guide · 2020–2024

Skoda Octavia Mk4: best and worst years, and what goes wrong

How each year of the Skoda Octavia Mk4 did at the MOTs done during 2023–2025, compared with other cars the same age, the weak spots that keep coming up, and what to check before you buy one. From 63,899 MOT tests.

2023best year: 95% pass first time, 3 points above all 2023 cars
2022weakest year: 89% pass first time, 0 points above all 2022 cars
Shock absorbersthe weak spot that shows up in 3 different years

Which Skoda Octavia Mk4 years are best and worst at their MOT?

First-time MOT pass rate for each year of the Skoda Octavia Mk4, against all cars registered the same year. Older cars fail more, so the comparison with cars the same age is what matters.

70%85%100%2020: 88% pass first time (all 2020 cars: 87%) 88% 2020*2021: 89% pass first time (all 2021 cars: 87%) 89% 20212022: 89% pass first time (all 2022 cars: 89%) 89% 20222023: 95% pass first time (all 2023 cars: 92%) 95% 2023
This model, first-time pass rate All cars registered that year · * changeover year: some cars are the previous or next generation
YearPass first timeAll cars that yearStands outMOT tests
2020*88%87% +1Shock absorbers 6.3× usual35,858
202189%87% +2Shock absorbers 3.9× usual19,820
202289%89% +0Shock absorbers 6.8× usual7,025
202395%92% +3Shock absorbers 8.3× usual1,196

Common Skoda Octavia Mk4 MOT failures, year after year

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year of this generation. Repeat findings like these are much less likely to be chance.

  • Shock absorbersup to 8.3× usual

    Stands out in 3 years: 2023, 2022, 2021.

    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.

What usually goes wrong with the Skoda Octavia Mk4?

From owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Not every car will have them.

  • Infotainment glitches and electrical faults

    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.

    Check: Use the screen and sat nav, and test the electrics.

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

  • Water pump failures

    Water pump failures with large bills are reported.

    Check: 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

    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.

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

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

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting each car's main test of the year (not retests). A weak spot needs at least 30 cars flagged and must stay 1.5× the usual rate even at the cautious end of a 95% confidence range. Generation years are approximate: cars registered in a changeover year (*) can be either generation. How we score

Looking at a Skoda Octavia?

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