Skoda Scala common problems and MOT failures
What goes wrong on a used Skoda Scala, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 22,751 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.
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).
What usually goes wrong with a Skoda Scala?
We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Skoda Scala in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.
Common Skoda Scala 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.
Brake discs
up to 2.9× usualStands out on cars registered in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.
Rough price £150–£350 our estimateAt 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.
Brake pads
up to 2.6× usualStands out on cars registered in 2020, 2021 and 2022.
Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.
Skoda Scala MOT pass rate by year
Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2021 Skoda Scala did best (88% passed first time, 1 point above all 2021 cars) and the 2022 did worst (88%, 1 point below all 2022 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a Skoda Scala
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Any recent work on the brake discs? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the Skoda Scala as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the Skoda Scala as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Skoda Scala?
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