2019 Skoda Octavia — MOT failures & pass rate
89,948 MOT tests on the 2019 Skoda Octavia are in this dataset, and 89.9% of them passed. Small family cars of a similar age fail at 9.6%, so the 2019 Octavia sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.6%) and suspension (3.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, brake pads and tread depth — headlamp aim alone was recorded 2,809 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 5.5% in the 0-30k band and 15.8% in the 150k+ band, a 10.2-point spread — more than double.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 3.2pp more often than petrol ones (11.9% vs 8.7%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 21.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 6.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 12.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.6% | 4,138 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.1% | 2,770 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 3.0% | 2,718 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.1% | 1,904 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.0% | 913 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.7% | 656 |
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 | 2,809 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 1,631 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 1,514 |
| 4 | Shock absorbers | 1,472 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 838 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 824 |
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 | 21.5% | 19,371 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.7% | 15,942 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.7% | 11,422 |
| 4 | Other defects | 7.3% | 6,552 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.4% | 2,195 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.9% | 810 |
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 | 24,619 | 5.5% |
| 30-60k | 36,751 | 10.0% |
| 60-90k | 15,822 | 13.8% |
| 90-120k | 6,319 | 14.4% |
| 120-150k | 3,212 | 14.8% |
| 150k+ | 3,218 | 15.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 48,769 | 8.7% |
| Diesel | 41,175 | 11.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,701 | 6.9% |
| 2022 | 22,084 | 8.1% |
| 2023 | 22,155 | 9.3% |
| 2024 | 21,720 | 10.7% |
| 2025 | 22,288 | 12.7% |
What to check before buying a 2019 Octavia
On a 2019 Octavia, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (4.6% 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 (3.1% 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 (3.0% 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 Octavias pass their MOT?
89.9% of the 89,948 2019 Skoda Octavia MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 Skoda Octavia?
Tyres, recorded in 4.6% of tests, followed by suspension (3.1%).
Does the 2019 Octavia get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.5% in the 0-30k band to 15.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 89,948 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.