Used car guide · 1991–2019

Skoda Rapid common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Skoda Rapid, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 66,191 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

66,191MOTs done in 2023–2025, all years of this model
22,596on the UK register
1known fault across all years
2013best 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).

201920182017201620152014201320121991

What usually goes wrong with a Skoda Rapid?

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.

  • Timing chain wear (1.2 TSI petrol)

    Cars registered 2012–2014 · 1.2 TSI petrol (older engine)

    The older 1.2 TSI petrol uses a timing chain that can stretch. It starts as a rattle, especially when the engine first starts, and if it’s left the chain can fail and destroy the engine. Some garages advise changing it as often as every four years or 40,000 miles.

    At the viewing: Start the engine from cold and listen for a rattle in the first few seconds. Ask whether the chain has been changed, with an invoice.

    Source: Parkers: Volkswagen Polo (2009-2017) used review

Common Skoda Rapid 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.

  • Shock absorbers

    up to 6× usual

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

    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 joints

    up to 5.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2013, 2014, 2015, 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.

  • Number plates

    up to 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2016, 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.

  • Braking performance

    up to 1.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

    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.

  • Brake discs

    up to 1.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2014, 2016 and 2017.

    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 Rapid MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2013 Skoda Rapid did best (70% passed first time, 3 points above all 2013 cars) and the 2018 did worst (80%, 3 points below all 2018 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
201987%85% +21,458
201880%83% -36,352
201777%80% -311,725
201674%77% -312,211
201573%74% -19,367
201472%70% +215,744
201370%67% +38,842
201261%64% -3492 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Skoda Rapid

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

  1. Has the timing chain been changed, and is there an invoice? Does it rattle when you start it from cold?
  2. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 6× as often on the Skoda Rapid as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 5.7× as often on the Skoda Rapid as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the number plates? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the Skoda Rapid as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Skoda Rapid?

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