2003 Skoda Superb — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2003 Skoda Superb passed 74.1% of its 819 recorded MOT tests. Large family cars of a similar age fail 28.1% of the time, so this is 2.2pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.2% of tests against 10.9% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, joints and headlamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 92 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 18.2% in the 30-60k band and 26.1% in the 150k+ band, a 7.9-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 33.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 25.9% in 2021 to 21.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.2% | 157 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.9% | 89 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.3% | 84 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.1% | 83 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.6% | 54 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.8% | 31 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 92 |
| 2 | Joints | 63 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 62 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 50 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 40 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 34 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 33.6% | 275 |
| 2 | Brakes | 32.5% | 266 |
| 3 | Tyres | 26.9% | 220 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 20.8% | 170 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 20.4% | 167 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.3% | 117 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 33 | 18.2% |
| 60-90k | 93 | 22.6% |
| 90-120k | 129 | 25.6% |
| 120-150k | 173 | 28.9% |
| 150k+ | 391 | 26.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 645 | 26.1% |
| Petrol | 174 | 25.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 278 | 25.9% |
| 2022 | 208 | 28.8% |
| 2023 | 145 | 24.1% |
| 2024 | 106 | 25.5% |
| 2025 | 82 | 21.9% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Superb
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 19.2% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (19.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.9% 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.
- Brakes (10.3% 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.
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 2003 Skoda Superbs pass their MOT?
74.1% of the 819 2003 Skoda Superb MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Skoda Superb?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.2% of tests, followed by suspension (10.9%).
Does the 2003 Superb get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.2% in the 30-60k band to 26.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 819 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.