2019 Skoda Karoq — MOT failures & pass rate
62,807 MOT tests on the 2019 Skoda Karoq are in this dataset, and 92.7% of them passed. Small SUVs of a similar age fail 8.8% of the time, so this is 1.5pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (3.6%) and suspension (1.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, tread depth and shock absorbers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 965 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 4.8% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 21.6% once past 150k — 4.5× the risk.
The petrol cars hold up better: 6.7% fail against 8.3% for diesel, a 1.6-point gap across 62,807 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 23.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 2.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 9.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.6% | 2,273 |
| 2 | Suspension | 1.8% | 1,162 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.7% | 1,066 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.2% | 778 |
| 5 | Visibility | 0.9% | 545 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.4% | 235 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 965 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 948 |
| 3 | Shock absorbers | 881 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 698 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 675 |
| 6 | Wipers | 480 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 23.1% | 14,495 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.3% | 9,618 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.1% | 8,231 |
| 4 | Other defects | 6.9% | 4,345 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.4% | 1,524 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.2% | 147 |
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 | 27,632 | 4.8% |
| 30-60k | 28,136 | 8.6% |
| 60-90k | 5,920 | 11.8% |
| 90-120k | 908 | 11.2% |
| 120-150k | 160 | 14.4% |
| 150k+ | 51 | 21.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 38,572 | 6.7% |
| Diesel | 24,235 | 8.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 468 | 2.1% |
| 2022 | 15,619 | 5.9% |
| 2023 | 15,588 | 6.7% |
| 2024 | 15,421 | 7.6% |
| 2025 | 15,711 | 9.1% |
What to check before buying a 2019 Karoq
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 3.6% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (3.6% 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.
- Suspension (1.8% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Lighting & signalling (1.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2019 Skoda Karoqs pass their MOT?
92.7% of the 62,807 2019 Skoda Karoq MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 Skoda Karoq?
Tyres, recorded in 3.6% of tests, followed by suspension (1.8%).
Does the 2019 Karoq get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.8% in the 0-30k band to 21.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 62,807 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.