Skoda Octavia SE L TSI IV MOT pass rate and common problems
89.1% of 1,352 Skoda Octavia SE L TSI IV MOT tests pass.
The Octavia SE L TSI IV passes its MOT 89.1% of the time — well above the average across all Skoda models, which sits at 81.5%.
The Skoda Octavia SE L TSI IV passes its MOT 89.1% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Skoda Octavia SE L TSI IV?
This is the average across every Skoda Octavia SE L TSI IV in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Skoda’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate stays relatively stable with age: 88.7% at 0–3 years versus 90.3% at 3–6 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 88.7% | 980 | 41,891 miles |
| 3–6 years | 90.3% | 372 | 42,979 miles |
| 6–10 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Skoda Octavia SE L TSI IV
The most common reason the Skoda Octavia SE L TSI IV fails its MOT is tyres — present in 67.1% of failed tests, most often logged as "Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 67.1% | Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords |
| Suspension | 18.6% | Pin or bush excessively worn |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 10.6% | Too low |
| Visibility | 9.9% | Provides insufficient washer liquid |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 4.3% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Brakes | 3.1% | Excessively fluctuating |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.2% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Body, chassis, structure | 1.2% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Road Wheels | 0.6% | Badly distorted |
| Steering | 0.6% | Gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
Buying a used Skoda Octavia SE L TSI IV: what to check
These checks follow the Skoda Octavia SE L TSI IV’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 60,000–90,000 mi to 90,000–120,000 mi: 83.7% down to 71.1%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Tyres
Recorded in 67.1% of failed Skoda Octavia SE L TSI IV MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
2. Suspension
Recorded in 18.6% of failed Skoda Octavia SE L TSI IV MOTs.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
3. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 10.6% of failed Skoda Octavia SE L TSI IV MOTs.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
4. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 9.9% of failed Skoda Octavia SE L TSI IV MOTs.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
5. Seat belts and airbags
Recorded in 4.3% of failed Skoda Octavia SE L TSI IV MOTs.
Pull every seat belt out fully and let it retract. Check the buckles latch and release, and that the airbag warning light goes out after starting.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Skoda service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Skoda models
- Skoda Felicia — 62.9% pass rate
- Skoda Superb SE Tech IV — 88.8% pass rate
- Skoda Superb SE L IV — 86.3% pass rate
- Skoda Kodiaq SE Drive — 90.9% pass rate
- Skoda Octavia SE Tech TSI IV — 88.8% pass rate
- Skoda Fabia Colour — 91.3% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Skoda Octavia SE L TSI IV?
- 89.1% of Skoda Octavia SE L TSI IV MOT tests pass, based on 1,352 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Skoda Octavia SE L TSI IV?
- The most common reason the Skoda Octavia SE L TSI IV fails its MOT is tyres — present in 67.1% of failed tests, most often logged as "Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords".
- What are the common problems with the Skoda Octavia SE L TSI IV?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Skoda Octavia SE L TSI IV are tyres; suspension; lights and electrics.
- What should I check when buying a used Skoda Octavia SE L TSI IV?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; suspension; lights and electrics; windscreen and wipers; seat belts and airbags. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Skoda Octavia SE L TSI IV's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Skoda service history guide for how to check and keep one.