Verdict
The 2016 Škoda Octavia 2.0 diesel passes its MOT first time on 84.7% of tests, against 76.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. That beats 94% of cars on UK roads, well ahead of the Octavia as a whole, which beats about three in four.
Its lead grows with age: at 3 years old it passed about 5 points more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage, about 8 points more at 5 to 7, and about 9–10 points more at 8 and 9. Across all years of this engine it is ahead of a typical car at every mileage, by about 9 points from 60,000 to 100,000 miles. These cars cover about 12,900 miles a year.
2014 to 2018 cars with this engine all beat more than nine in ten cars; 2004 to 2006 cars are about average for their age. In 2016 the 1.4 and 2.0 petrol do slightly better still, and the 1.6 diesel beats about eight in ten cars.
There are no weak spots: every MOT area fails less often than on a typical car, and steering, body and visibility items less than a third as often. The most common fails are tyre damage (about 1 in 23 tests, 1.3 times the typical rate) and headlight aim (about 1 in 36, 1.2 times). Shock absorbers fail at the typical rate but are an advisory on about 1 in 10 tests, 3.5 times as often as on a typical car.
MOT pass rate by age
First-time pass rate at each MOT.
Where it fails
Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.
Every MOT area
Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).
Buying one or MOT due? Check these
- Tyre damage
The most common fail, on about 1 in 23 tests, about 1.3 times as often as on a typical car, and testers often find cords showing. Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre. - Shock absorbers
Fail at about the typical rate, but are an advisory on about 1 in 10 tests, 3.5 times as often as on a typical car. Push down hard on each corner: it should rebound once and settle. Look for oily dampers. - Headlight aim
The second most common fail, on about 1 in 36 tests, about 1.2 times the typical rate. Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left. - Brake discs
Rarely fail, but are an advisory on about 1 in 9 tests, 1.2 times the typical rate. Look through the wheel spokes for scored discs or a heavy rust lip on the edge. - Engine warning light
Fails on about 1 in 90 tests, a little less often than on a typical car. It should go out once the engine starts; if it stays on, get the fault codes read before you buy.
Pass rate by mileage
First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.
Most common MOT failures
| Item | This car | Typical | vs typical |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyre damage & cracking | 4.4% | 3.5% | 1.3× |
| Headlight aim | 2.7% | 2.4% | 1.2× |
| Tyre tread depth | 1.7% | 2.8% | 0.6× |
| Brake pads | 1.3% | 2.5% | 0.5× |
| Engine warning light | 1.1% | 1.4% | 0.8× |
| Coil springs | 0.9% | 1.6% | 0.6× |
| Shock absorbers | 0.8% | 0.8% | 1.0× |
| Windscreen wipers | 0.6% | 2.0% | 0.3× |
| Brake performance | 0.5% | 0.6% | 1.0× |
| Headlight bulbs & units | 0.5% | 1.4% | 0.4× |
Specific defects found
Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.
| Defect | per 1,000 |
|---|---|
| The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 27.4 |
| A tyre seriously damaged | 24.8 |
| A tyre cords visible or damaged | 18.3 |
| Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 16.7 |
| A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | 11.3 |
| Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction | 11.2 |
| A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 9.1 |
| A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage | 7.5 |
Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.
Advisories
Not a fail yet, but likely to need attention soon.
| Item | Share of tests | vs typical |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre tread depth | 16.1% | 0.9× |
| Brake discs | 11.5% | 1.2× |
| Shock absorbers | 10.3% | 3.5× |
| Tyre damage & cracking | 7.7% | 1.1× |
| Brake pads | 7.1% | 0.8× |
| Suspension arm bushes | 2.0% | 0.6× |
| Number plates | 1.9% | 1.4× |
| Brake performance | 1.5% | 1.2× |
Best and worst years
Octavia 2.0 Diesel by year, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.
Other 2016 Octavia engines
Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 Diesel | 84.7% | Beats 94% | A |
| 1.6 Diesel | 80.5% | Beats 80% | B |
| 1.4 Petrol | 87.7% | Beats 96% | A |
| 2.0 Petrol | 87.8% | Beats 98% | A |
| 1.2 Petrol | 86.0% | Beats 94% | A |
| 1.0 Petrol | 85.5% | Beats 90% | A |
FAQ
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2016 Škoda Octavia 2.0 diesel?
84.7% of MOT tests on the 2016 Škoda Octavia 2.0 diesel were passed first time, from 62,673 tests. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 76.8%.
Is the 2016 Škoda Octavia 2.0 diesel reliable?
On MOT results it is among the best: it beats 94% of cars on UK roads, and its lead over a typical car grows with age. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.
What are the most common MOT failures on the 2016 Škoda Octavia 2.0 diesel?
Tyre damage (about 1 in 23 tests), headlight aim, tyre tread depth and brake pads. Only tyre damage and headlight aim come up more often than on a typical car, about 1.3 and 1.2 times.
Which Škoda Octavia 2.0 diesel years are best?
2014 to 2018 cars do best, beating more than nine in ten cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account. Cars from 2004 to 2006 are about average for their age.
Which 2016 Škoda Octavia engine is best?
All of them do well. The 2.0 and 1.4 petrol do best, beating nearly all cars on UK roads; the 1.6 diesel does least well but still beats about eight in ten.