Skoda Scala: MOT pass rate and reliability data

The Skoda Scala passes its MOT first time more often than the average UK car, by 12.7 percentage points. These figures come from the DVSA's full year of anonymised MOT results, covering 7,180 individual Skoda Scala tests. Nothing here is an estimate or a survey.

The numbers

What this means if you are buying one

A 89.4% first-time pass rate means roughly 11 in every 100 Skoda Scalas presented for MOT fail on the first attempt. That is better than average, so a well-kept example is a reasonably safe used buy. The average Skoda Scala tested had covered 29,332 miles and was built around 2020.

What this means at salvage auction

Pass rate is a proxy for what a car costs to keep on the road. On a Skoda Scala bought as a repairable salvage, the mechanical side is less likely to spring surprises, so your repair estimate should hold up reasonably well.

Before you bid: run the lot through the analyzer, check the car's own record, check the mileage, decode the VIN, and if it carries a marker use the write-off value calculator. Or compare it against another model.

Looking at a specific Skoda Scala rather than the model in general? The free check covers its MOT and mileage history, and the full HPI report confirms the insurance write-off category, outstanding finance and whether it is recorded stolen, from licensed data for 5 credits. Already own one that has been damaged? Work out whether fixing it beats selling it with the repair or scrap calculator, and see what damaged Skoda Scalas actually sold for at UK salvage auction.

Most common MOT failures on a Skoda Scala

1. Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution., 0.8% of tests (3x the national rate for this defect)
2. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 0.5% of tests (2x the national rate for this defect)
3. Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn, 1.1% of tests (1.83x the national rate for this defect)
4. A tyre has a lump, bulge or tear caused by separation or partial failure of its structure. This includes any lifting of the tread rubber, 0.2% of tests (1.69x the national rate for this defect)
5. A tyre seriously damaged, 3.1% of tests (1.54x the national rate for this defect)
6. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 2.3% of tests (1.5x the national rate for this defect)
7. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 1% of tests
8. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 0.6% of tests
9. Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction, 0.4% of tests
10. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 0.3% of tests

From 11,422 DVSA-tracked Skoda Scala tests, 2024. DVSA testers marked 7.34% of these flagged Skoda Scala defects as "dangerous", meaning the tester judged the car unsafe to drive away, against 4.97% nationally.

Skoda Scala pass rate by model year

Pass rates fall steadily as cars age, so the model year matters as much as the model. First-time pass rate for each Skoda Scala year:

• 2019 Skoda Scala - 89.4% first-time pass, 1,567 tests
• 2020 Skoda Scala - 89% first-time pass, 3,157 tests
• 2021 Skoda Scala - 90.6% first-time pass, 2,248 tests

Skoda Scala by fuel type

Diesel and petrol versions of the same car fail on different things, so the fuel type moves the number:

• Petrol Skoda Scala - 89.8% first-time pass, 6,864 tests
• Diesel Skoda Scala - 89% first-time pass, 291 tests

Other Skoda models

• Skoda Fabia - 75.3%
• Skoda Octavia - 78.9%
• Skoda Yeti - 80.3%
• Skoda Superb - 80%
• Skoda Citigo - 84.7%
• Skoda Karoq - 91.3%
• Skoda Kodiaq - 89.7%
• Skoda Rapid - 77.9%

Models with a similar pass rate

• Land Rover Rr Sport Hse Dyn Blck D Mhev A - 89.5%
• Volvo Xc90 R-Design B5 Awd Auto - 89.5%
• BMW I3 - 89.4%
• Audi Q7 Sln Blk Ed 50tdi Mhev Qto A - 89.4%
• BMW M340i Xdrive Mhev Auto - 89.4%
• SEAT Mii Ev - 89.4%

If this car is a salvage or write-off

• What does Cat N mean? Category N explained
• What does Cat S mean? Category S explained
• Cat S vs Cat N: the real differences

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All 2,005 models ranked by MOT pass rate