2006 Skoda Superb — MOT failures & pass rate
1,438 MOT tests on the 2006 Skoda Superb are in this dataset, and 73.1% of them passed. Large family cars of a similar age fail at 27.3%, so the 2006 Superb sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 16.0% of all tests — 4.4 points clear of body, structure & corrosion, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are joints, headlamp aim and headlamp — joints alone was recorded 139 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 18.5% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 28.0% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 29.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 27.8% in 2021 to 24.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.0% | 230 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.5% | 166 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.2% | 146 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.4% | 106 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.9% | 99 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.5% | 94 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 139 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 108 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 83 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 79 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 61 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 59 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 29.9% | 430 |
| 2 | Suspension | 28.8% | 414 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.0% | 402 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 22.5% | 324 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.7% | 240 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 15.9% | 228 |
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 | 92 | 18.5% |
| 60-90k | 183 | 21.3% |
| 90-120k | 407 | 28.5% |
| 120-150k | 357 | 29.1% |
| 150k+ | 389 | 28.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 1,303 | 26.6% |
| Petrol | 135 | 29.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 471 | 27.8% |
| 2022 | 352 | 28.7% |
| 2023 | 254 | 24.8% |
| 2024 | 212 | 25.9% |
| 2025 | 149 | 24.8% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Superb
On a 2006 Superb, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (11.5% 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 (10.2% 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 2006 Skoda Superbs pass their MOT?
73.1% of the 1,438 2006 Skoda Superb MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Skoda Superb?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.0% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (11.5%).
Does the 2006 Superb get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.5% in the 30-60k band to 28.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,438 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.