2017 Skoda Karoq — MOT failures & pass rate
447 MOT tests on the 2017 Skoda Karoq are in this dataset, and 93.3% of them passed. Against small SUVs of a similar age (11.9% fail rate), the 2017 Karoq comes out 5.2pp better. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.7%) and lighting & signalling (2.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, headlamp aim and brake pads — tread depth alone was recorded 15 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2017 Karoq fails 7.0% of the time in the 0-30k band and 6.8% at 60-90k, a spread of only 0.2 points.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 23.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 4.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 9.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.7% | 21 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 2.7% | 12 |
| 3 | Brakes | 2.5% | 11 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.3% | 6 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 1.1% | 5 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.2% | 1 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 15 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 13 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 6 |
| 4 | Brake discs | 5 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 5 |
| 6 | Wipers | 4 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 23.5% | 105 |
| 2 | Tyres | 20.6% | 92 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.3% | 28 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.2% | 10 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.2% | 10 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.2% | 1 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 129 | 7.0% |
| 30-60k | 227 | 6.2% |
| 60-90k | 74 | 6.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 249 | 7.6% |
| Petrol | 198 | 5.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 86 | 4.7% |
| 2022 | 87 | 4.6% |
| 2023 | 91 | 6.6% |
| 2024 | 90 | 7.8% |
| 2025 | 93 | 9.7% |
What to check before buying a 2017 Karoq
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 4.7% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (4.7% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Lighting & signalling (2.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (2.5% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2017 Skoda Karoqs pass their MOT?
93.3% of the 447 2017 Skoda Karoq MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 6.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Skoda Karoq?
Tyres, recorded in 4.7% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (2.7%).
Does the 2017 Karoq get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.0% in the 0-30k band to 6.8% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 447 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.