2005 Skoda Superb — MOT failures & pass rate
1,552 MOT tests on the 2005 Skoda Superb are in this dataset, and 76.0% of them passed. That is 3.7 percentage points better than large family cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.7%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.3% of tests against 9.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are joints, headlamp aim and headlamp — joints alone was recorded 119 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2005 Superb fails 28.3% of the time in the 30-60k band and 24.8% at 150k+, a spread of only 3.5 points.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 29.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.3% | 207 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.1% | 141 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.2% | 127 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.5% | 116 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.6% | 103 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.1% | 79 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 119 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 117 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 93 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 69 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 67 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 60 |
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 | 29.8% | 463 |
| 2 | Brakes | 28.6% | 444 |
| 3 | Suspension | 27.9% | 433 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 22.0% | 342 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 18.3% | 284 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.3% | 269 |
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 | 53 | 28.3% |
| 60-90k | 146 | 17.8% |
| 90-120k | 299 | 23.8% |
| 120-150k | 355 | 24.2% |
| 150k+ | 693 | 24.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 1,465 | 24.0% |
| Petrol | 87 | 24.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 532 | 25.0% |
| 2022 | 375 | 22.1% |
| 2023 | 293 | 23.2% |
| 2024 | 210 | 25.7% |
| 2025 | 142 | 24.6% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Superb
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 13.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (13.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (9.1% 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+.
- Suspension (8.2% 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.
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 2005 Skoda Superbs pass their MOT?
76.0% of the 1,552 2005 Skoda Superb MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Skoda Superb?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.3% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (9.1%).
Does the 2005 Superb get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 28.3% in the 30-60k band to 24.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,552 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.