2021 Skoda Karoq — MOT failures & pass rate
24,664 MOT tests on the 2021 Skoda Karoq are in this dataset, and 92.0% of them passed. Small SUVs of a similar age fail at 7.2%, so the 2021 Karoq sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.1%) and lighting & signalling (2.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, shock absorbers and brake pads — headlamp aim alone was recorded 537 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 6.3% in the 0-30k band and 14.4% in the 90-120k band, a 8.1-point spread — more than double.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 8.0% of the time against 8.5% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 22.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 0.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 8.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.1% | 1,016 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 2.1% | 528 |
| 3 | Suspension | 1.8% | 455 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.4% | 345 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.1% | 280 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.5% | 127 |
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 | 537 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 480 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 321 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 270 |
| 5 | Wipers | 250 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 93 |
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 | 22.9% | 5,661 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.4% | 4,055 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.9% | 2,697 |
| 4 | Other defects | 6.4% | 1,589 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.1% | 515 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.3% | 71 |
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 | 13,901 | 6.3% |
| 30-60k | 9,816 | 9.9% |
| 60-90k | 791 | 13.4% |
| 90-120k | 132 | 14.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 23,317 | 8.0% |
| Diesel | 1,347 | 8.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 30 | 0.0% |
| 2023 | 583 | 5.3% |
| 2024 | 11,986 | 7.8% |
| 2025 | 12,050 | 8.4% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Karoq
On a 2021 Karoq, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (4.1% 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 (2.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- 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.
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 2021 Skoda Karoqs pass their MOT?
92.0% of the 24,664 2021 Skoda Karoq MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Skoda Karoq?
Tyres, recorded in 4.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (2.1%).
Does the 2021 Karoq get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.3% in the 0-30k band to 14.4% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 24,664 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.