Used car guide · 2002–2026

Skoda Superb common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Skoda Superb, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 192,418 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 2025 Skoda Superb

Cars registered in 2025 haven’t had their first MOT yet (it’s due at 3 years old), so there are no MOT results to show. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Skoda Superb as a whole.

4,085on the UK register at the end of 2025
2028first MOT due
Dieselmost common fuel (also petrol)
What to check on a 2025 car
  • Warranty left

    Ask for the date it was first registered and check how much of the maker’s warranty is left, and that it transfers to you. Electric and hybrid batteries usually have a longer, separate warranty.

  • Servicing

    Servicing on time with the maker’s schedule keeps the warranty valid. Ask for the service book or the dealer’s digital record.

  • Finance

    Nearly new cars are often still on finance. A history check shows outstanding finance, and whether it has been written off or stolen.

  • Recalls

    Ask whether any recall work has been done, and check the reg on GOV.UK’s free recall checker.

  • Logbook (V5C)

    The name and address should match the seller, and the VIN on the V5C should match the car.

Check for recalls on GOV.UK

Other years

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).

2026202520242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002

What usually goes wrong with a Skoda Superb?

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.

  • Eight recalls

    Cars registered 2015–2024 · All engines

    Recalls covered an electrical cable clamp, sunroof software, airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners (several times), rear hubs, software that could stall the engine and eCall.

    At the viewing: Ask a Skoda dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.

    Source: Auto Express: used Skoda Superb (Mk3, 2015-2024) buyer’s guide

  • Cambelt and DSG oil (servicing)

    Cars registered 2015–2024 · Diesel and DSG

    Diesels need a cambelt on schedule, and the DSG gearbox needs fluid changes.

    At the viewing: Ask for invoices for the cambelt and DSG oil change.

    Source: Auto Express: used Skoda Superb (Mk3, 2015-2024) buyer’s guide

Common Skoda Superb 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 9.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.

    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

    up to 11× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

    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.

  • Side repeaters

    up to 4.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

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

  • Anti-roll bar link joints

    up to 3.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 4.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

    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.

  • Individual direction indicators

    up to 3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2007, 2012 and 2013.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Skoda Superb MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2005 Skoda Superb did best (62% passed first time, 5 points above all 2005 cars) and the 2020 did worst (85%, 2 points below all 2020 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202395%92% +3976
202289%89% +03,918
202186%87% -18,573
202085%87% -214,725
201984%85% -120,334
201884%83% +122,345
201782%80% +227,382
201681%77% +424,806
201574%74% +013,947
201471%70% +113,642
201369%67% +210,919
201266%64% +211,490
201165%62% +38,097
201063%60% +35,254
200962%59% +32,695
200861%57% +4968
200758%57% +1525
200659%56% +3496 (small sample)
200562%57% +5521
200461%57% +4399 (small sample)
200361%57% +4270 (small sample)
200260%58% +2136 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Skoda Superb

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 9.5× as often on the Skoda Superb as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 11× as often on the Skoda Superb as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the side repeaters? (Flagged at MOT 4.6× as often on the Skoda Superb as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Skoda Superb?

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