2021 Skoda Scala — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 6,112 MOT tests, the 2021 Skoda Scala recorded a 91.3% pass rate. Small family cars of a similar age fail at 8.3%, so the 2021 Scala sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.2%) and brakes (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 headlamp aim — brake pads alone was recorded 153 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2021 Scala fails 7.6% of the time in the 0-30k band and 10.1% at 60-90k, a spread of only 2.5 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 23.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 2.6% of tests failed in 2023 against 9.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.2% | 259 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.8% | 229 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.0% | 120 |
| 4 | Visibility | 0.9% | 56 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.6% | 38 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.3% | 18 |
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 | 153 |
| 2 | Brake discs | 118 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 94 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 76 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 74 |
| 6 | Washers | 40 |
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 | 23.8% | 1,457 |
| 2 | Brakes | 22.5% | 1,377 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.9% | 361 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.0% | 122 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.2% | 73 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.5% | 32 |
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 | 3,594 | 7.6% |
| 30-60k | 2,285 | 10.5% |
| 60-90k | 209 | 10.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 6,075 | 8.8% |
| Diesel | 37 | 5.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 117 | 2.6% |
| 2024 | 2,950 | 8.7% |
| 2025 | 3,032 | 9.0% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Scala
On a 2021 Scala, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- 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 (3.8% 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 (2.0% 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?
91.3% of the 6,112 2021 Skoda Scala MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Skoda Scala?
Tyres, recorded in 4.2% of tests, followed by brakes (3.8%).
Does the 2021 Scala get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.6% in the 0-30k band to 10.1% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,112 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.