2020 Skoda Superb L — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,029 MOT tests analysed for the 2020 Skoda Superb L, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 88.4% was below the average for cars of a similar age (90.6%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 17.5% in the 90-120k group versus 7.8% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 7.1% | 73 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.9% | 40 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.9% | 20 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.8% | 19 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.6% | 16 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.6% | 6 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shock absorbers | 44 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 32 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 17 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 11 |
| 5 | Wipers | 9 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 8 |
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 | 22.7% | 234 |
| 2 | Brakes | 18.8% | 193 |
| 3 | Suspension | 15.3% | 158 |
| 4 | Other defects | 6.4% | 66 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.3% | 34 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 1.0% | 10 |
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 | 296 | 7.8% |
| 30-60k | 442 | 10.9% |
| 60-90k | 188 | 17.5% |
| 90-120k | 63 | 17.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 614 | 13.7% |
| Petrol | 415 | 8.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 350 | 12.0% |
| 2024 | 336 | 11.0% |
| 2025 | 327 | 12.2% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Superb L
Before buying a 2020 Skoda Superb L, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 7.1% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (7.1% 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.
- Suspension (3.9% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.9% 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 Superb Ls pass their MOT?
88.4% of the 1,029 2020 Skoda Superb L MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Skoda Superb L?
Tyres, recorded in 7.1% of tests, followed by suspension (3.9%).
Does the 2020 Superb L get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.8% in the 0-30k band to 17.5% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,029 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.