2021 Skoda Octavia L — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,678 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Skoda Octavia L, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, lighting & signalling and suspension. Its pass rate of 92.3% was above the average for cars of a similar age (91.3%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 14.6% in the 90-120k group versus 4.9% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.5% | 95 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 2.5% | 68 |
| 3 | Suspension | 1.8% | 49 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.2% | 32 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.1% | 28 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.5% | 14 |
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 | 74 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 35 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 31 |
| 4 | Washers | 19 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 18 |
| 6 | Shock absorbers | 16 |
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 | 19.2% | 513 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.1% | 243 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.5% | 227 |
| 4 | Other defects | 6.2% | 165 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.5% | 68 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.5% | 14 |
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 | 989 | 4.9% |
| 30-60k | 1,277 | 8.4% |
| 60-90k | 297 | 12.5% |
| 90-120k | 82 | 14.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 2,162 | 7.2% |
| Diesel | 516 | 9.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 85 | 3.5% |
| 2024 | 1,294 | 7.2% |
| 2025 | 1,293 | 8.5% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Octavia L
Before buying a 2021 Skoda Octavia L, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 3.5% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (3.5% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (2.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (1.8% 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.
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 Ls pass their MOT?
92.3% of the 2,678 2021 Skoda Octavia L MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Skoda Octavia L?
Tyres, recorded in 3.5% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (2.5%).
Does the 2021 Octavia L get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.9% in the 0-30k band to 14.6% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,678 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.