2019 Skoda Scala — MOT failures & pass rate
6,925 MOT tests on the 2019 Skoda Scala are in this dataset, and 90.1% of them passed. That is effectively the same as small family cars of a similar age (9.7% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in brakes, tyres and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (3.9%) and tyres (3.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are brake pads, brake discs and track rod end — brake pads alone was recorded 203 times.
A 60-90k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 17.0% versus 7.0%.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 22.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 6.1% of tests failed in 2022 against 13.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 3.9% | 270 |
| 2 | Tyres | 3.8% | 261 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.5% | 106 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.4% | 94 |
| 5 | Steering | 1.3% | 87 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.9% | 60 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake pads | 203 |
| 2 | Brake discs | 120 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 111 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 91 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 85 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 68 |
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 | 22.3% | 1,542 |
| 2 | Brakes | 21.8% | 1,511 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.9% | 475 |
| 4 | Steering | 2.7% | 185 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.2% | 153 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.1% | 144 |
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 | 3,660 | 7.0% |
| 30-60k | 2,804 | 12.4% |
| 60-90k | 417 | 17.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 6,430 | 9.8% |
| Diesel | 495 | 11.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1,635 | 6.1% |
| 2023 | 1,731 | 9.4% |
| 2024 | 1,724 | 9.7% |
| 2025 | 1,824 | 13.9% |
What to check before buying a 2019 Scala
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: brakes accounted for 3.9% of tests. Start there.
- Brakes (3.9% 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.
- Tyres (3.8% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.5% 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 Scalas pass their MOT?
90.1% of the 6,925 2019 Skoda Scala MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 Skoda Scala?
Brakes, recorded in 3.9% of tests, followed by tyres (3.8%).
Does the 2019 Scala get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.0% in the 0-30k band to 17.0% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,925 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.