2021 Skoda Superb — MOT failures & pass rate
9,896 MOT tests on the 2021 Skoda Superb are in this dataset, and 89.2% of them passed. That is effectively the same as large family cars of a similar age (10.3% 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
No single area dominates — tyres (6.1%) and suspension (3.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are shock absorbers, headlamp aim and tread depth — shock absorbers alone was recorded 382 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 6.5% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 11.8% once past 150k.
The petrol cars hold up better: 8.4% fail against 12.8% for hybrid, a 4.4-point gap across 6,535 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 20.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 4.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 11.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.1% | 608 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.8% | 377 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.4% | 233 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.3% | 126 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.2% | 115 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.4% | 35 |
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 | 382 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 231 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 183 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 112 |
| 5 | Wipers | 96 |
| 6 | Brake discs | 70 |
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 | 20.8% | 2,059 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.0% | 1,480 |
| 3 | Suspension | 13.3% | 1,317 |
| 4 | Other defects | 5.3% | 528 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.5% | 443 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.6% | 58 |
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 | 2,808 | 6.5% |
| 30-60k | 4,050 | 11.0% |
| 60-90k | 1,927 | 14.7% |
| 90-120k | 748 | 15.0% |
| 120-150k | 253 | 12.7% |
| 150k+ | 110 | 11.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 3,891 | 12.8% |
| Diesel | 3,361 | 10.4% |
| Petrol | 2,644 | 8.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 88 | 4.5% |
| 2022 | 159 | 1.3% |
| 2023 | 369 | 7.3% |
| 2024 | 4,628 | 11.2% |
| 2025 | 4,652 | 11.1% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Superb
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 6.1% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (6.1% 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 (3.8% 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.
- 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 2021 Skoda Superbs pass their MOT?
89.2% of the 9,896 2021 Skoda Superb MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Skoda Superb?
Tyres, recorded in 6.1% of tests, followed by suspension (3.8%).
Does the 2021 Superb get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.5% in the 0-30k band to 11.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 9,896 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.