2008 Skoda Superb — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,413 MOT tests, the 2008 Skoda Superb recorded a 76.4% pass rate. Large family cars of a similar age fail 26.0% of the time, so this is 2.4pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.1%) and suspension (11.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, joints and position lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 130 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2008 Superb fails 20.3% of the time in the 30-60k band and 23.0% at 150k+, a spread of only 2.7 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 32.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 22.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 24.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.1% | 316 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.3% | 273 |
| 3 | Tyres | 6.2% | 149 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.1% | 147 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.0% | 146 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.6% | 110 |
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 | 130 |
| 2 | Joints | 124 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 105 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 93 |
| 5 | Side repeaters | 67 |
| 6 | Ball joint dust cover | 65 |
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 | 32.4% | 781 |
| 2 | Tyres | 26.3% | 634 |
| 3 | Brakes | 23.1% | 558 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.3% | 248 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 10.2% | 247 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 9.0% | 217 |
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 | 74 | 20.3% |
| 60-90k | 272 | 23.5% |
| 90-120k | 661 | 22.5% |
| 120-150k | 687 | 25.6% |
| 150k+ | 705 | 23.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 2,310 | 23.7% |
| Petrol | 103 | 20.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 637 | 22.3% |
| 2022 | 550 | 23.1% |
| 2023 | 483 | 25.3% |
| 2024 | 401 | 23.2% |
| 2025 | 342 | 24.9% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Superb
On a 2008 Superb, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.3% 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.
- Tyres (6.2% 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.
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 2008 Skoda Superbs pass their MOT?
76.4% of the 2,413 2008 Skoda Superb MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Skoda Superb?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.1% of tests, followed by suspension (11.3%).
Does the 2008 Superb get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.3% in the 30-60k band to 23.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,413 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.