2020 Skoda Scala — MOT failures & pass rate
10,975 MOT tests on the 2020 Skoda Scala are in this dataset, and 90.8% of them passed. That is effectively the same as small family cars of a similar age (8.9% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.2%) and brakes (3.9%) 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 headlamp aim — brake pads alone was recorded 321 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2020 Scala fails 7.4% of the time in the 0-30k band and 7.7% at 90-120k, a spread of only 0.3 points.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 9.2% of the time against 10.4% for diesel.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 22.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 5.2% of tests failed in 2022 against 9.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.2% | 457 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.9% | 423 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.5% | 164 |
| 4 | Visibility | 0.9% | 95 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.7% | 79 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.5% | 53 |
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 | 321 |
| 2 | Brake discs | 194 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 133 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 118 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 109 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 72 |
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 | 22.8% | 2,499 |
| 2 | Brakes | 21.4% | 2,354 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.5% | 712 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.9% | 209 |
| 5 | Steering | 1.7% | 183 |
| 6 | Suspension | 1.2% | 131 |
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 | 6,214 | 7.4% |
| 30-60k | 4,166 | 11.5% |
| 60-90k | 501 | 12.2% |
| 90-120k | 65 | 7.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 10,415 | 9.2% |
| Diesel | 560 | 10.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 154 | 5.2% |
| 2023 | 3,605 | 7.9% |
| 2024 | 3,605 | 10.1% |
| 2025 | 3,609 | 9.8% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Scala
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 4.2% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (4.2% 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.
- 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.
- 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 2020 Skoda Scalas pass their MOT?
90.8% of the 10,975 2020 Skoda Scala MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Skoda Scala?
Tyres, recorded in 4.2% of tests, followed by brakes (3.9%).
Does the 2020 Scala get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.4% in the 0-30k band to 7.7% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 10,975 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.