2021 Skoda Octavia MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 88.5% of Skoda Octavias first used in 2021 passed their MOT first time, against 87.2% for all cars first used in 2021. Across 20,323 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 2021 (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 2021 Skoda Octavia MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Octavias first used in 2021 against all cars first used in 2021 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Octavia figure was 1.3 points higher.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2021 Octavia | All cars first used 2021 | Octavia first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | fewer than 500 tests | 82.9% | 135 |
| 2022 | fewer than 500 tests | 89.9% | 256 |
| 2023 | 94.1% | 90.8% | 888 |
| 2024 | 89.8% | 87.6% | 9,798 |
| 2025 | 88.5% | 87.2% | 9,637 |
Common 2021 Skoda Octavia MOT failures
Share of the 2,159 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 16.5% | 356 |
| Tyre condition: has ply or cords exposed | 10.0% | 215 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 9.5% | 205 |
| Headlamp aim: too low | 7.7% | 167 |
| Headlamp aim: too high | 7.7% | 166 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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What to check on a 2021 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 2021 Skoda Octavia MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2021 Octavias, as a share of all 20,323 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 12.8% | 2,595 |
| Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil | 4.9% | 987 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 4.8% | 979 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 4.7% | 958 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | 3.4% | 688 |
Questions about the 2021 Skoda Octavia MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2021 Skoda Octavia?
In 2025, 88.5% of Octavias first used in 2021 passed their MOT first time, against 87.2% for all cars first used in 2021. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2021 Octavia most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres (in 44.4% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), lamps and electrical equipment (23.6%) and suspension (17.9%). The single most common item was “Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords” (16.5%).
How often does a 2021 Skoda Octavia fail its MOT?
In 2025, 11.5% of first tests on Octavias first used in 2021 did not pass first time: 9.5% failed, and a further 2.0% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 2,159 of 20,323 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2021 Skoda Octavia MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 12.8% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil” (4.9%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (4.8%), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (4.7%) and “Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement” (3.4%).
Is a 2021 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 94.1% in 2023 to 88.5% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2021
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
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Checking a specific 2021 Octavia?
The numbers above cover every Octavia first used in 2021 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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