2018 Skoda Superb — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 43,128 MOT tests, the 2018 Skoda Superb recorded an 88.5% pass rate. That is effectively the same as large family cars of a similar age (12.3% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 6.2% of tests against 2.6% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are shock absorbers, tread depth and headlamp aim — shock absorbers alone was recorded 951 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 14.3% versus 7.7%.
The petrol cars hold up better: 9.5% fail against 12.4% for diesel, a 2.9-point gap across 43,128 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 22.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 9.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 12.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.2% | 2,670 |
| 2 | Suspension | 2.6% | 1,114 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.4% | 1,028 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.0% | 876 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 1.4% | 583 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.1% | 463 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shock absorbers | 951 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 876 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 848 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 623 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 514 |
| 6 | Wipers | 344 |
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 | 22.9% | 9,876 |
| 2 | Brakes | 18.1% | 7,787 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.6% | 3,296 |
| 4 | Other defects | 7.2% | 3,097 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.6% | 1,562 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.9% | 387 |
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 | 7,981 | 7.7% |
| 30-60k | 16,469 | 11.0% |
| 60-90k | 9,990 | 13.1% |
| 90-120k | 4,266 | 14.7% |
| 120-150k | 2,044 | 13.3% |
| 150k+ | 2,371 | 14.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 30,333 | 12.4% |
| Petrol | 12,795 | 9.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,917 | 9.9% |
| 2022 | 8,637 | 10.9% |
| 2023 | 8,610 | 11.7% |
| 2024 | 8,604 | 12.3% |
| 2025 | 8,360 | 12.9% |
What to check before buying a 2018 Superb
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 6.2% of tests. Start there.
- 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.
- Suspension (2.6% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (2.4% 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 2018 Skoda Superbs pass their MOT?
88.5% of the 43,128 2018 Skoda Superb MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 Skoda Superb?
Tyres, recorded in 6.2% of tests, followed by suspension (2.6%).
Does the 2018 Superb get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.7% in the 0-30k band to 14.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 43,128 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.