2014 Skoda Superb — MOT failures & pass rate
28,641 MOT tests on the 2014 Skoda Superb are in this dataset, and 81.6% of them passed. That is effectively the same as large family cars of a similar age (18.7% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in suspension, tyres and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (7.8%) and tyres (7.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, headlamp aim and coil spring — pins and bushes alone was recorded 943 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 8.9% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 22.4% once past 150k — 2.5× the risk.
The petrol cars hold up better: 13.6% fail against 18.7% for diesel, a 5.1-point gap across 28,641 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 24.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 14.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 21.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 7.8% | 2,227 |
| 2 | Tyres | 7.7% | 2,195 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 5.4% | 1,559 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.8% | 1,081 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.9% | 539 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.6% | 458 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pins and bushes | 943 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 915 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 884 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 691 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 453 |
| 6 | Wipers | 429 |
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 | 24.9% | 7,126 |
| 2 | Brakes | 20.0% | 5,735 |
| 3 | Suspension | 17.3% | 4,963 |
| 4 | Other defects | 7.8% | 2,230 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 4.9% | 1,415 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.7% | 1,336 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 474 | 8.9% |
| 30-60k | 3,796 | 12.1% |
| 60-90k | 7,418 | 16.5% |
| 90-120k | 6,826 | 19.5% |
| 120-150k | 4,146 | 21.1% |
| 150k+ | 5,973 | 22.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 27,266 | 18.7% |
| Petrol | 1,375 | 13.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,735 | 14.2% |
| 2022 | 5,919 | 16.7% |
| 2023 | 5,817 | 18.6% |
| 2024 | 5,699 | 21.0% |
| 2025 | 5,471 | 21.7% |
What to check before buying a 2014 Superb
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 7.8% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (7.8% 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 (7.7% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (5.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2014 Skoda Superbs pass their MOT?
81.6% of the 28,641 2014 Skoda Superb MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 Skoda Superb?
Suspension, recorded in 7.8% of tests, followed by tyres (7.7%).
Does the 2014 Superb get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.9% in the 0-30k band to 22.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 28,641 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.