Verdict
The Škoda Scala passes its MOT first time on 87.3% of tests, about the same as a typical car of the same age and mileage (87.1%). That puts it ahead of 54% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.
By year of first registration, the 2021 Scala does best (beats 60% of cars) and the 2019 worst (beats 50%).
Better than average on lights & electrics, visibility, suspension.
Watch these weak spots
MOT pass rate by age
First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.
Best and worst years
By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.
Engines
All years, most common first. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 Petrol | 86.9% | Beats 50% | C |
| 1.5 Petrol | 88.3% | Beats 62% | B |
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
- Brake pads 1.9× typical
Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash. - Track rod ends 8.1× typical
Feel for play or knocking in the steering and check for wear on the inner edges of the front tyres. - Brake discs 4.0× typical
Look through the wheel spokes for scored discs or a heavy rust lip on the edge. - Brake performance 3.8× typical
On the test drive, brake firmly: the car should stop straight with no pulsing through the pedal. - Tyre damage & cracking
Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre. - Headlight aim
Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
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 | 3.4% | 3.5% | 1.0× |
| Brake pads | 2.5% | 1.3% | 1.9× |
| Track rod ends | 1.3% | 0.2% | 8.1× |
| Brake discs | 1.3% | 0.3% | 4.0× |
| Headlight aim | 1.1% | 1.4% | 0.8× |
| Tyre tread depth | 0.9% | 1.4% | 0.7× |
| Brake performance | 0.8% | 0.2% | 3.8× |
| Windscreen washers | 0.8% | 1.0% | 0.8× |
| Rear fog light | 0.6% | 0.2% | 3.6× |
| Engine warning light | 0.6% | 0.4% | 1.3× |
Specific defects found
Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.
| Defect | per 1,000 |
|---|---|
| A tyre seriously damaged | 26.5 |
| A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | 23.6 |
| Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 13.6 |
| The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 11.5 |
| Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 9.3 |
| Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn | 8.9 |
| Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 7.9 |
| Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution. | 7.7 |
Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.
Every year and engine
Tap a year to see its 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.
2023 Škoda Scala1 engine87.2% passC
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 Petrol | 87.2% | Beats 52% | C |
2022 Škoda Scala2 engines87.8% passC
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 Petrol | 87.0% | Beats 44% | C |
| 1.5 Petrol | 89.3% | Beats 67% | B |
2021 Škoda Scala2 engines88.2% passB
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 Petrol | 87.7% | Beats 56% | C |
| 1.5 Petrol | 89.0% | Beats 66% | B |
2020 Škoda Scala2 engines87.2% passC
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 Petrol | 87.3% | Beats 54% | C |
| 1.5 Petrol | 87.1% | Beats 51% | C |
2019 Škoda Scala2 engines86.1% passC
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 Petrol | 85.5% | Beats 43% | C |
| 1.5 Petrol | 88.9% | Beats 75% | B |
FAQ
What is the Škoda Scala MOT pass rate?
87.3% of MOT tests on the Škoda Scala were passed first time, based on 32,198 tests between 2022 and 2026 of cars first registered 2019–2023. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 87.1% of the time.
Is the Škoda Scala reliable?
On MOT results it rates C (average): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 54% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.
Which Škoda Scala year is best?
Among years with enough data, the 2021 Scala does best for its age and mileage: it beats 60% of cars on UK roads. The 2019 does worst: it beats 50%.
What are the most common MOT failures on the Škoda Scala?
The most common failure items are tyre damage & cracking, brake pads, track rod ends. Compared with similar cars, brake pads comes up 1.9× as often.