2020 Skoda Octavia L — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,175 MOT tests analysed for the 2020 Skoda Octavia L, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 93.6% was above the average for cars of a similar age (90.5%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.0% | 35 |
| 2 | Suspension | 1.7% | 20 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.5% | 17 |
| 4 | Visibility | 0.9% | 11 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.9% | 10 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.5% | 6 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 20 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 18 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 12 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 9 |
| 5 | Washers | 9 |
| 6 | Shock absorbers | 8 |
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 | 18.1% | 213 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.0% | 94 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.4% | 87 |
| 4 | Other defects | 5.9% | 69 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.5% | 17 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.6% | 7 |
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 | 453 | 3.8% |
| 30-60k | 535 | 7.8% |
| 60-90k | 132 | 9.8% |
| 90-120k | 41 | 7.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,088 | 6.3% |
| Diesel | 87 | 8.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 369 | 3.8% |
| 2024 | 399 | 7.8% |
| 2025 | 403 | 7.4% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Octavia L
Before buying a 2020 Skoda Octavia L, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 3.0% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (3.0% 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 (1.7% 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 2020 Skoda Octavia Ls pass their MOT?
93.6% of the 1,175 2020 Skoda Octavia L MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 6.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Skoda Octavia L?
Tyres, recorded in 3.0% of tests, followed by suspension (1.7%).
Does the 2020 Octavia L get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 3.8% in the 0-30k band to 7.3% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,175 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.