2021 Skoda Scala — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 4,836 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Skoda Scala, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, brakes and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 91.4% was in line with the average for cars of a similar age (91.2%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.3% | 206 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.6% | 176 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.8% | 88 |
| 4 | Visibility | 0.8% | 37 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.6% | 29 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.3% | 12 |
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 | 123 |
| 2 | Brake discs | 86 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 63 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 59 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 55 |
| 6 | Washers | 27 |
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 | 23.6% | 1,143 |
| 2 | Brakes | 22.4% | 1,082 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.1% | 293 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.8% | 87 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.1% | 53 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.5% | 23 |
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 | 2,879 | 7.3% |
| 30-60k | 1,787 | 10.4% |
| 60-90k | 153 | 10.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 4,799 | 8.6% |
| Diesel | 37 | 5.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 107 | 2.8% |
| 2024 | 2,328 | 8.6% |
| 2025 | 2,390 | 8.8% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Scala
Before buying a 2021 Skoda Scala, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 4.3% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (4.3% 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 (3.6% 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 (1.8% 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 2021 Skoda Scalas pass their MOT?
91.4% of the 4,836 2021 Skoda Scala MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Skoda Scala?
Tyres, recorded in 4.3% of tests, followed by brakes (3.6%).
Does the 2021 Scala get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.3% in the 0-30k band to 10.5% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,836 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.