2002 Skoda Octavia — MOT failures & pass rate
8,097 MOT tests on the 2002 Skoda Octavia are in this dataset, and 73.5% of them passed. Against small family cars of a similar age (28.1% fail rate), the 2002 Octavia comes out 1.6pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.7%) and suspension (12.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, headlamp aim and track rod end — pins and bushes alone was recorded 485 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 20.0% in the 0-30k band and 28.2% in the 150k+ band, a 8.2-point spread.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.4pp more often than petrol ones (27.5% vs 25.1%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 39.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 26.9% in 2021 to 24.3% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.7% | 1,106 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.6% | 1,022 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.5% | 847 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.7% | 539 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.8% | 471 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.7% | 464 |
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 | 485 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 399 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 389 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 345 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 330 |
| 6 | Wipers | 300 |
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 | 39.2% | 3,173 |
| 2 | Suspension | 36.8% | 2,979 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.4% | 2,216 |
| 4 | Other defects | 17.8% | 1,437 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.3% | 1,399 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 14.2% | 1,151 |
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 | 30 | 20.0% |
| 30-60k | 275 | 19.6% |
| 60-90k | 918 | 21.7% |
| 90-120k | 1,471 | 25.3% |
| 120-150k | 2,059 | 27.6% |
| 150k+ | 3,339 | 28.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 4,662 | 27.5% |
| Petrol | 3,435 | 25.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,513 | 26.9% |
| 2022 | 1,975 | 26.7% |
| 2023 | 1,567 | 26.7% |
| 2024 | 1,182 | 26.3% |
| 2025 | 860 | 24.3% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Octavia
On a 2002 Octavia, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.6% 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 (10.5% 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 2002 Skoda Octavias pass their MOT?
73.5% of the 8,097 2002 Skoda Octavia MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Skoda Octavia?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.7% of tests, followed by suspension (12.6%).
Does the 2002 Octavia get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.0% in the 0-30k band to 28.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 8,097 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.