2008 Skoda Roomster — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2008 Skoda Roomster passed 71.7% of its 15,204 recorded MOT tests. MPVs of a similar age fail at 28.4%, so the 2008 Roomster sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (15.8%) and suspension (14.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, coil spring and joints — position lamp alone was recorded 1,142 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 15.7% in the 0-30k band and 33.8% in the 150k+ band, a 18.2-point spread — more than double.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 4.3pp more often than petrol ones (30.2% vs 25.9%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 29.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 26.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 29.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.8% | 2,399 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.2% | 2,155 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.7% | 1,327 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.8% | 1,178 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.2% | 946 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.2% | 636 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 1,142 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 926 |
| 3 | Joints | 901 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 820 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 735 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 574 |
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 | 29.3% | 4,456 |
| 2 | Tyres | 27.8% | 4,231 |
| 3 | Suspension | 26.8% | 4,080 |
| 4 | Other defects | 13.8% | 2,095 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 12.5% | 1,903 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.5% | 1,896 |
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 | 166 | 15.7% |
| 30-60k | 1,637 | 20.2% |
| 60-90k | 4,115 | 25.3% |
| 90-120k | 4,598 | 29.7% |
| 120-150k | 2,865 | 32.0% |
| 150k+ | 1,813 | 33.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 8,410 | 30.2% |
| Petrol | 6,794 | 25.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,359 | 26.7% |
| 2022 | 3,259 | 27.6% |
| 2023 | 3,135 | 28.6% |
| 2024 | 2,853 | 29.4% |
| 2025 | 2,598 | 29.5% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Roomster
On a 2008 Roomster, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (15.8% 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 (8.7% 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 2008 Skoda Roomsters pass their MOT?
71.7% of the 15,204 2008 Skoda Roomster MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Skoda Roomster?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.8% of tests, followed by suspension (14.2%).
Does the 2008 Roomster get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.7% in the 0-30k band to 33.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 15,204 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.