Mercedes-Benz A-Class vs Skoda Octavia-
On MOT-testable defects, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class (fail rate 14.9%) performed better than the Skoda Octavia- (17.0%) across comparable years. The biggest divergence was suspension, where the Octavia- recorded failures more often.
14.9%
A-Class fail rate
17.0%
Octavia- fail rate
2.1pp
Difference
Side by side
| Metric | Mercedes-Benz A-Class | Skoda Octavia- |
|---|---|---|
| MOT tests analysed | 1,863,609 | 1,157,992 |
| Pass rate | 85.1% | 83.0% |
| Fail rate | 14.9% | 17.0% |
Where they differ
| Category | A-Class | Octavia- |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 3.9% | 7.4% |
| Visibility | 3.3% | 0.0% |
| Emissions & environmental | 0.0% | 2.5% |
| Lighting & signalling | 5.1% | 7.4% |
| Brakes | 3.6% | 4.6% |
| Tyres | 5.9% | 5.3% |
Methodology & source. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.