2001 Skoda Octavia- — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 5,079 MOT tests analysed for the 2001 Skoda Octavia-, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 72.0% was in line with the average for small family cars of a similar age (71.8%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 30.0% in the 150k+ group versus 20.6% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.2% | 719 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.6% | 692 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.6% | 539 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.4% | 323 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.2% | 317 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.0% | 252 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pins and bushes | 326 |
| 2 | Individual direction indicators | 248 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 234 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 226 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 210 |
| 6 | Wipers | 207 |
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 | 39.6% | 2,011 |
| 2 | Suspension | 38.5% | 1,957 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.6% | 1,300 |
| 4 | Other defects | 20.9% | 1,061 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 18.2% | 923 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.6% | 841 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 247 | 20.6% |
| 60-90k | 589 | 23.8% |
| 90-120k | 998 | 27.1% |
| 120-150k | 1,175 | 29.0% |
| 150k+ | 2,051 | 30.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 2,540 | 28.6% |
| Petrol | 2,539 | 27.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,537 | 28.4% |
| 2022 | 1,225 | 27.1% |
| 2023 | 965 | 28.4% |
| 2024 | 765 | 28.2% |
| 2025 | 587 | 27.4% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Octavia-
Before buying a 2001 Skoda Octavia-, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 14.2% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (14.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.6% 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.
- Brakes (10.6% 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 2001 Skoda Octavia-s pass their MOT?
72.0% of the 5,079 2001 Skoda Octavia- MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Skoda Octavia-?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.2% of tests, followed by suspension (13.6%).
Does the 2001 Octavia- get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.6% in the 30-60k band to 30.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,079 MOT tests. 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.