2020 Skoda Scala — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 10,457 MOT tests analysed for the 2020 Skoda Scala, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, brakes and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 90.8% was in line with the average for cars of a similar age (90.6%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.1% | 427 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.8% | 394 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.5% | 159 |
| 4 | Visibility | 0.9% | 94 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.8% | 78 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.5% | 53 |
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 | 301 |
| 2 | Brake discs | 175 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 127 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 113 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 103 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 71 |
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 | 22.9% | 2,396 |
| 2 | Brakes | 21.3% | 2,231 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.6% | 686 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.9% | 200 |
| 5 | Steering | 1.7% | 178 |
| 6 | Suspension | 1.2% | 123 |
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 | 5,945 | 7.4% |
| 30-60k | 3,946 | 11.5% |
| 60-90k | 478 | 12.1% |
| 90-120k | 63 | 6.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 9,897 | 9.1% |
| Diesel | 560 | 10.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 150 | 4.7% |
| 2023 | 3,438 | 7.9% |
| 2024 | 3,431 | 9.9% |
| 2025 | 3,436 | 9.8% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Scala
Before buying a 2020 Skoda Scala, 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 (3.8% 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 (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 Scalas pass their MOT?
90.8% of the 10,457 2020 Skoda Scala MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Skoda Scala?
Tyres, recorded in 4.1% of tests, followed by brakes (3.8%).
Does the 2020 Scala get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.4% in the 0-30k band to 6.3% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 10,457 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.