2020 Skoda Octavia Vrs S-A — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 315 MOT tests analysed for the 2020 Skoda Octavia Vrs S-A, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, brakes and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 93.3% 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 | 4.1% | 13 |
| 2 | Brakes | 1.9% | 6 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 0.9% | 3 |
| 4 | Suspension | 0.6% | 2 |
| 5 | Visibility | 0.3% | 1 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.3% | 1 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake pads | 7 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 6 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 4 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 4 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 2 |
| 6 | Washers | 1 |
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 | 19.1% | 60 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.1% | 38 |
| 3 | Other defects | 4.4% | 14 |
| 4 | Suspension | 4.4% | 14 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.9% | 6 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.9% | 3 |
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 | 131 | 3.8% |
| 30-60k | 159 | 8.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 270 | 5.9% |
| Diesel | 45 | 11.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 100 | 6.0% |
| 2024 | 103 | 4.9% |
| 2025 | 112 | 8.9% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Octavia Vrs S-A
Before buying a 2020 Skoda Octavia Vrs S-A, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 4.1% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (4.1% 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.
- Brakes (1.9% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Lighting & signalling (0.9% 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 Vrs S-As pass their MOT?
93.3% of the 315 2020 Skoda Octavia Vrs S-A MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 6.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Skoda Octavia Vrs S-A?
Tyres, recorded in 4.1% of tests, followed by brakes (1.9%).
Does the 2020 Octavia Vrs S-A get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 3.8% in the 0-30k band to 8.2% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 315 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.