2021 Skoda Octavia L Iv S-A — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,133 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Skoda Octavia L Iv S-A, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 90.1% was below the average for cars of a similar age (91.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 17.2% in the 90-120k group versus 5.8% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.3% | 134 |
| 2 | Suspension | 2.2% | 47 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.5% | 31 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.2% | 25 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.5% | 10 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.5% | 10 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 37 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 35 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 33 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 30 |
| 5 | Washers | 18 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 10 |
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 | 22.6% | 483 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.8% | 251 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.5% | 117 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.9% | 83 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.6% | 76 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.7% | 15 |
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 | 502 | 5.8% |
| 30-60k | 1,085 | 10.1% |
| 60-90k | 385 | 12.5% |
| 90-120k | 128 | 17.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 41 | 2.4% |
| 2024 | 1,017 | 9.4% |
| 2025 | 1,066 | 10.6% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Octavia L Iv S-A
Before buying a 2021 Skoda Octavia L Iv S-A, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 6.3% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (6.3% 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 (2.2% 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 (1.5% 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 Octavia L Iv S-As pass their MOT?
90.1% of the 2,133 2021 Skoda Octavia L Iv S-A MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Skoda Octavia L Iv S-A?
Tyres, recorded in 6.3% of tests, followed by suspension (2.2%).
Does the 2021 Octavia L Iv S-A get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.8% in the 0-30k band to 17.2% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,133 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.