2018 Skoda Octavia MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 83.1% of Skoda Octavias first used in 2018 passed their MOT first time, against 80.9% for all cars first used in 2018. Across 49,796 Octavia first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were tyres, lamps and electrical equipment and suspension.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Skoda Octavias first used in 2018 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2018 Skoda Octavia MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Octavias first used in 2018 against all cars first used in 2018 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Octavia figure was 2.2 points higher.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2018 Octavia | All cars first used 2018 | Octavia first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 89.3% | 87.6% | 17,300 |
| 2022 | 88.6% | 86.3% | 17,096 |
| 2023 | 87.4% | 84.2% | 16,744 |
| 2024 | 85.1% | 82.5% | 16,564 |
| 2025 | 83.1% | 80.9% | 16,488 |
Common 2018 Skoda Octavia MOT failures
Share of the 7,373 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | 11.6% | 856 |
| Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak | 9.7% | 716 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 9.7% | 713 |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect | 9.6% | 705 |
| Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 9.2% | 679 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for an Octavia in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak | Shock absorber replacement | £300 | £200–£500 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2018 Skoda Octavia before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
Common 2018 Skoda Octavia MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2018 Octavias, as a share of all 49,796 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil | 16.6% | 8,244 |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 12.7% | 6,343 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 9.5% | 4,747 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 9.3% | 4,630 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 7.2% | 3,573 |
Questions about the 2018 Skoda Octavia MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2018 Skoda Octavia?
In 2025, 83.1% of Octavias first used in 2018 passed their MOT first time, against 80.9% for all cars first used in 2018. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2018 Octavia most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres (in 34.3% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), lamps and electrical equipment (25.7%) and suspension (22.7%). The single most common item was “Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick” (11.6%).
How often does a 2018 Skoda Octavia fail its MOT?
In 2025, 16.9% of first tests on Octavias first used in 2018 did not pass first time: 13.9% failed, and a further 3.0% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 7,373 of 49,796 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2018 Skoda Octavia MOT advisories?
“Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil” (on 16.6% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (12.7%), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (9.5%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (9.3%) and “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (7.2%).
Is a 2018 Skoda Octavia reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 89.3% in 2021 to 83.1% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2018
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2018 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2018 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2018 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2018 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2018 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2018 Octavia?
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