2011 Skoda Yeti: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2011 Skoda Yeti?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2011 Skoda Yeti than on all cars registered in 2011.

• Shock absorbers1.8× usual
  Skoda Yeti

  12.9% All 2011 cars

  7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 1.8% of all 2011 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 arm3.1× usual
  Skoda Yeti

  7.8% All 2011 cars

  2.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 0.3% of all 2011 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.

• Sub-frame1.9× usual
  Skoda Yeti

  8.1% All 2011 cars

  4.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.3% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

• Link ball joint covers2.2× usual
  Skoda Yeti

  5.3% All 2011 cars

  2.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 1.4% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

Petrol or diesel: does it make a difference?

The same figures for each fuel on its own. Check which one the car you're looking at is: it's on the logbook and in its MOT history.

Common 2011 Skoda Yeti MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2011 Skoda Yeti MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  42% 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.

• Tyres
  28% 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.

• Brakes
  27% 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
  17% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Oil and fluid leaks
  7% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

• Driveshafts and joints
  6% of testsRough price £60–£350

  At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Known faults on the 2011 Skoda Yeti

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.

• Timing chain (early 1.2 TSI)

  Early 1.2 TSI petrol

  Early 1.2 TSI petrols are prone to expensive timing chain problems.

  At the viewing: Listen for rattling from the engine at a cold start.

  Source: What Car?: used Skoda Yeti (2009-2017) reliability

• Exhaust sensors and sill rust

  All engines

  Some owners report failing exhaust sensors and rust on the sills.

  At the viewing: Look along the sills and check for warning lights.

  Source: What Car?: used Skoda Yeti (2009-2017) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2011 Skoda Yeti

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

1. Has the timing chain been replaced, and is there an invoice?
2. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2011 Skoda Yeti as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the 2011 Skoda Yeti as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2011 Skoda Yeti as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?