2006 Skoda Roomster — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,162 MOT tests, the 2006 Skoda Roomster recorded a 67.6% pass rate. MPVs of a similar age fail 29.7% of the time, so this is 2.6pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 18.9% of all tests — 4.7 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are joints, position lamp and headlamp aim — joints alone was recorded 343 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 27.5% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 35.1% once past 150k.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 31.8% of the time against 32.7% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 34.6% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.9% | 597 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.2% | 448 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.7% | 400 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.8% | 373 |
| 5 | Tyres | 7.2% | 229 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.9% | 185 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 343 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 294 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 217 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 211 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 186 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 157 |
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 | 34.6% | 1,094 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.1% | 919 |
| 3 | Suspension | 26.7% | 845 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 22.8% | 720 |
| 5 | Other defects | 16.8% | 530 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.0% | 475 |
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 | 222 | 27.5% |
| 60-90k | 552 | 29.0% |
| 90-120k | 1,048 | 32.6% |
| 120-150k | 742 | 34.0% |
| 150k+ | 596 | 35.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 2,028 | 32.7% |
| Petrol | 1,134 | 31.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 766 | 31.9% |
| 2022 | 726 | 31.5% |
| 2023 | 653 | 33.5% |
| 2024 | 544 | 34.0% |
| 2025 | 473 | 31.1% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Roomster
On a 2006 Roomster, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (18.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.2% 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 (12.7% 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 2006 Skoda Roomsters pass their MOT?
67.6% of the 3,162 2006 Skoda Roomster MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Skoda Roomster?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.9% of tests, followed by suspension (14.2%).
Does the 2006 Roomster get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 27.5% in the 30-60k band to 35.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,162 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.