2018 Skoda Rapid — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2018 Skoda Rapid passed 87.5% of its 12,246 recorded MOT tests. That is 2.0 percentage points worse than small family cars of a similar age, which fail at 10.4%. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (6.1%) and suspension (3.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, wipers and headlamp aim — pins and bushes alone was recorded 446 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.3% in the 0-30k band and 13.4% in the 150k+ band, a 5.1-point spread.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 3.3pp more often than petrol ones (15.5% vs 12.2%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 26.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 8.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 15.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.1% | 744 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.8% | 470 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.2% | 391 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 2.6% | 321 |
| 5 | Brakes | 2.1% | 251 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.7% | 90 |
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 | 446 |
| 2 | Wipers | 332 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 260 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 213 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 164 |
| 6 | Shock absorbers | 137 |
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 | 26.4% | 3,230 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.0% | 2,084 |
| 3 | Brakes | 14.7% | 1,805 |
| 4 | Other defects | 7.3% | 889 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.3% | 283 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.9% | 115 |
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 | 4,291 | 8.3% |
| 30-60k | 5,487 | 14.0% |
| 60-90k | 1,621 | 16.8% |
| 90-120k | 408 | 19.1% |
| 120-150k | 177 | 11.9% |
| 150k+ | 262 | 13.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 11,129 | 12.2% |
| Diesel | 1,117 | 15.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,378 | 8.6% |
| 2022 | 2,423 | 10.6% |
| 2023 | 2,463 | 12.6% |
| 2024 | 2,484 | 15.1% |
| 2025 | 2,498 | 15.3% |
What to check before buying a 2018 Rapid
On a 2018 Rapid, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (6.1% 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.
- Suspension (3.8% 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.
- Visibility (3.2% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£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 2018 Skoda Rapids pass their MOT?
87.5% of the 12,246 2018 Skoda Rapid MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 Skoda Rapid?
Tyres, recorded in 6.1% of tests, followed by suspension (3.8%).
Does the 2018 Rapid get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.3% in the 0-30k band to 13.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 12,246 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.