Skoda
1,539 MOT tests analysed. sits above the UK fleet average — here's where Octavia SE L First Edition Tsis pass, fail, and end up on the retest sheet.
That's 13.7 points above the UK fleet average across our 1,984 tracked models — a confident result.
Pass
91.2%
Pass-after-fix
1.8%
Fail
6.5%
Avg miles
31,320
Pass + Pass-after-fix + Fail = 100%
Petrol cars first registered from January 2006 meet Euro 4 — compliant in London ULEZ, Birmingham CAZ, Bristol CAZ, and Glasgow LEZ.
Performance by cohort
2 year bands · 1,539 tests
Pass rate climbs 5.6 points across the cohorts — newer Octavia SE L First Edition Tsi examples clear the test more reliably than the early cars.
Pass
90.1%
Fail
7.6%
PRS
1.6%
Avg mileage at test
32,516 mi
Pass
95.8%
Fail
1.4%
PRS
2.8%
Avg mileage at test
26,049 mi
Cohort = vehicle's first-registration year band. Same model, different generations of build.
The picture
Across 865 MOT tests, the Octavia Se L First Edition Tsi returns 95.0% first-time pass — comfortably ahead of the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a seriously damaged tyre. Windscreen damage and a tyre with the cords showing round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 23,895, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
ABI Insurance Group
Below the fleet average — generally reasonable to insure. Lower groups cost less to insure; UK fleet average is around Group 22.
Source: ABI Group Rating Panel · administered by Thatcham Research · groups cover standard variants; performance trims may sit higher. Browse all insurance groups →
12–28
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A tyre seriously damaged
44 occurrences · 2.9% of tests
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
16 occurrences · 1.0% of tests
Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction
6 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
6 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
5 occurrences · 0.3% of tests
A tyre cords visible or damaged
4 occurrences · 0.3% of tests
A direction indicator lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning
4 occurrences · 0.3% of tests
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
4 occurrences · 0.3% of tests
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
4 occurrences · 0.3% of tests
a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
4 occurrences · 0.3% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
Worst-case fix budget · top 2 failures
£140–£335
If every one of this Octavia SE L First Edition Tsi's most-logged Major fails hit at the same MOT, that's the real-world UK garage range. Reality is usually one or two items, not all of them. Open the estimator →
Try the calculator
Build your own retest budget.
Year-band analysis
First-time MOT pass rate split by registration band. A 5.6-point gap between bands means the year you buy Skoda Octavia SE L First Edition Tsi has a real effect on what turns up at the garage.
Best band to buy
95.8%
2021+ registration
the 2021-on band climbs to 95.8% — a 5.6-point improvement. Tests in this band average 26,049 miles — roughly 6K miles fewer on the clock than the older band. Failures here are mostly wear items: damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view, has ply or cords exposed — the structural issues that drag down older examples don't appear in the top-10 for this band. Post-2020 examples are early in their MOT life and generally show the cleanest records.
Band to be cautious about
90.1%
2018–2020 registration
On the 2018–2020 band, the data shows a 90.1% pass rate against a fleet average of 95.8% on the newer band. The main culprits logged at test: has a cut in excess of the…, damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view, and inoperative or indicates a malfunction. Average mileage on test for this band is 32,516 miles — high-mileage wear items are a recurring theme.
Best band to buy: 2021+ (95.8% first-time pass). Worst band to avoid: 2018-2020 (90.1% pass). That's a 5.6-point spread across 1,256 older tests and 283 newer ones — year of build makes a material difference on this model.
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Owner reports · Honest John
Verbatim faults logged by owners on honestjohn.co.uk over recent years. We didn't summarise — these are the words people typed in.
What's good
More upmarket than ever, yet still practical and comfortable, the Skoda Octavia is a very appealing package. Quality shines through, yet it remains great value for money. An excellent if unexciting family car.
Report of gremlins with infotainment system in 2021 Skoda Octavia. Reader says that it becomes completely unresponsive, leaving them without the radio, parking sensors and unable to adjust the climate control. Usually fixes itself after a day or two. How Much Is It To Get New Windows Made of "Fibrex"?This Is How Much New Windows Should Cost In 2026 Energy-Efficient Windows Sponsored Huggies Overnites Nighttime Baby Diapers Unscented, Size 7 (Over 41 Lb) - 13.0 Ea Nighttime Baby Diapers Unscented, Size 7 (Over 41 lb) Nighttime Baby Diapers Unscented, Size 7 (Over 41 lb)Walgreens.com
Report of an 'enormous bang' from the front suspension of a Skoda Octavia Estate 2.0TDI 150PS DSG 4x4 when driving over rough roads as well as a clunking noise over mild bumps. Later discovered that the transport blocks were still fitted inside the springs.
Long list of complaints from private hire operator with mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid models. They include warnings for a faulty charge system, bulbs and front sensors. Reports that the PHEV has a handbrake fault which causes the automatic box to shift into neutral. Car now at a dealer until mystery fault can be traced.
Software glitches with 2021 Octavia iV. Navigation cannot save favourite destinations, including various issues. The car has been to the dealer three times without any success.
Report of four-month old Skoda Octavia iV (mild hybrid) estate with 1400 miles from new 12v battery going flat despite high-voltage battery being fully charged. The 12v battery was replaced, although no fault was found.
Source: honestjohn.co.uk · 5 reports indexed
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own an Octavia SE L First Edition Tsi and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.
