2004 Skoda Superb — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2004 Skoda Superb passed 75.1% of its 1,182 recorded MOT tests. Against large family cars of a similar age (28.0% fail rate), the 2004 Superb comes out 3.1pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 14.8% of all tests — 4.5 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are joints, headlamp aim and headlamp — joints alone was recorded 100 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 13.8% in the 30-60k band and 26.6% in the 150k+ band, a 12.8-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 31.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 25.8% in 2021 to 23.7% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.8% | 175 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.3% | 122 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.8% | 116 |
| 4 | Brakes | 8.8% | 104 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.6% | 66 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.1% | 60 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 100 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 90 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 82 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 59 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 53 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 48 |
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 | 31.8% | 376 |
| 2 | Brakes | 31.6% | 373 |
| 3 | Tyres | 26.7% | 315 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 20.9% | 247 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.9% | 212 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 17.4% | 206 |
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 | 58 | 13.8% |
| 60-90k | 146 | 26.7% |
| 90-120k | 213 | 21.6% |
| 120-150k | 261 | 25.7% |
| 150k+ | 500 | 26.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 1,091 | 24.9% |
| Petrol | 91 | 24.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 407 | 25.8% |
| 2022 | 277 | 24.2% |
| 2023 | 217 | 24.0% |
| 2024 | 167 | 25.8% |
| 2025 | 114 | 23.7% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Superb
On a 2004 Superb, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (14.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.3% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (9.8% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 2004 Skoda Superbs pass their MOT?
75.1% of the 1,182 2004 Skoda Superb MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Skoda Superb?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.8% of tests, followed by suspension (10.3%).
Does the 2004 Superb get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.8% in the 30-60k band to 26.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,182 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.