2004 Skoda Octavia — MOT failures & pass rate
15,733 MOT tests on the 2004 Skoda Octavia are in this dataset, and 71.8% of them passed. Small family cars of a similar age fail at 28.0%, so the 2004 Octavia sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.9%) and suspension (13.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, coil spring and joints — track rod end alone was recorded 804 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 19.1% in the 0-30k band and 29.9% in the 150k+ band, a 10.9-point spread.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 1.8pp more often than petrol ones (28.7% vs 26.8%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 37.2% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.9% | 2,179 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.7% | 2,149 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.8% | 1,848 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.4% | 1,319 |
| 5 | Steering | 6.2% | 979 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.8% | 913 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track rod end | 804 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 766 |
| 3 | Joints | 728 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 710 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 683 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 667 |
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 | 37.2% | 5,846 |
| 2 | Suspension | 35.8% | 5,633 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.4% | 4,308 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.6% | 2,928 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 14.9% | 2,343 |
| 6 | Other defects | 14.6% | 2,293 |
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 | 63 | 19.1% |
| 30-60k | 435 | 16.1% |
| 60-90k | 1,596 | 24.9% |
| 90-120k | 2,922 | 27.0% |
| 120-150k | 4,007 | 29.0% |
| 150k+ | 6,684 | 29.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 11,992 | 28.7% |
| Petrol | 3,741 | 26.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,747 | 29.4% |
| 2022 | 3,847 | 28.2% |
| 2023 | 3,058 | 28.2% |
| 2024 | 2,293 | 26.3% |
| 2025 | 1,788 | 27.9% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Octavia
On a 2004 Octavia, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.7% 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 (11.8% 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 2004 Skoda Octavias pass their MOT?
71.8% of the 15,733 2004 Skoda Octavia MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Skoda Octavia?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.9% of tests, followed by suspension (13.7%).
Does the 2004 Octavia get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.1% in the 0-30k band to 29.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 15,733 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.