Skoda Scala years to avoid? MOT pass rate by year

9,925 initial MOT tests in 2025 on cars first used 2019–2022 · DVSA data · For guidance only · How we count

No Skoda Scala year has an MOT pass rate clearly below the average for vehicles first used in the same year. Above it: 2020. The other 3 years can't be told apart from average.

Below the average for their first-use yearNone
Above the average for their first-use year2020
Can't be told apart from average2019 and 2021–2022

The MOT pass rate is one signal, not the whole story. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't record gearbox or engine faults, and a pass rate also reflects mileage and upkeep, so the table shows median mileage too. Whatever the year, the car in front of you matters more than its model's average.

86.8%passed first time

First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 86.1% to 87.5%.

Skoda Scala, all years86.8%
Same-age average, all vehicles86.5%

In 2025, 86.8% of the 9,925 initial MOT tests on Skoda Scala cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 86.5%. That is about average: the difference from the same-age average is within the margin of error.

Check a specific Scala

Its own MOT history, free.

Skoda Scala MOT pass rate by year

Year is when the car was first used. Older vehicles fail more often, so each year is compared with all vehicles first used that year.

Year	Testsmedian miles	Passed first time	Against all vehicles that year
2022age 3	2,27025,100	88.5%±1.4	0.0 ptsall: 88.5%
2021age 4	2,80530,500	87.7%±1.3	+0.5 ptsall: 87.2%
2020age 5	3,26635,600	87.3%±1.2	+1.3 ptsall: 86.0%
2019age 6	1,58440,800	81.8%±2.0	−1.7 ptsall: 83.5%

Tests are initial MOT tests in 2025, not retests. Median miles is the middle odometer reading at the test: half had more, half had less. ± is the 95% margin of error in points (Wilson interval): a difference smaller than that could be chance. Years without a link have fewer than 10,000 tests, so they are listed here but don't have their own page.

When a car's mileage doesn't add up

Does mileage matter?

Skoda Scala first-time pass rates by the mileage at the initial test, all years together, against all vehicles of the same age and mileage.

90.4% of Skoda Scala tests under 30,000 miles passed first time, against 84.4% at 30,000 to 59,999 miles. For all vehicles of the same age and mileage, the figures are 90.3% and 85.1%.

Miles at the test	Tests	Passed first time	Against all vehicles, same age and mileage
Under 30,000	4,416	90.4%±1.0	+0.1 ptsall: 90.3%
30,000–59,999	4,639	84.4%±1.1	−0.7 ptsall: 85.1%

Against all vehicles of the same age and mileage, Scala tests were about average in every band shown.

Mileage is only one factor. How a car has been driven and looked after matters too. These figures show an association across all Skoda Scala tests in 2025, not what mileage does to a particular car.

Mileage is the odometer reading at the initial test. Each band is compared with all vehicles first used in the same year with a reading in the same band, weighted by this model's own tests in each year. Bands need at least 1,000 tests. Not shown, with fewer than 1,000 tests: 60,000–89,999, 90,000–119,999 and 120,000 or more. 5 tests (0.1%) had no usable odometer reading and are left out. How we count

Common Scala problems at the MOT

Share of the 1,309 failed tests with a fault in each area, all years together. A test can count in more than one area, so these add up to more than 100%.

Tyres36.2%
Brakes32.1%

MOT records show roadworthiness faults, not engine or gearbox problems. Each year page compares that year's failure areas with all vehicles first used in the same year.

Most common MOT failures on the Skoda Scala

The defects recorded most often at the 1,309 failed initial tests on Skoda Scala cars, all years together, in the DVSA's own words. Each share is of failed tests, and a failed test can have more than one defect.

Defect	Share of failed tests	All vehicles, same age
Brake pads less than 1.5 mm thickBrakes	19.7%258 tests	9.2%
Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cordsTyres	12.4%162 tests	13.3%
Brake disc significantly and obviously wornBrakes	7.7%101 tests	1.9%
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mmTyres	7.5%98 tests	10.3%
Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirtSteering	7.4%97 tests	0.5%
Tyre has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structureTyres	5.7%74 tests	3.2%
Service brake performance excessively fluctuatingBrakes	5.5%72 tests	0.9%
Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structureTyres	5.0%66 tests	1.9%
Malfunction indicator lamp inoperative or indicates a malfunctionNoise, emissions, leaks	4.7%62 tests	4.2%
Tyre has ply or cords exposedTyres	4.6%60 tests	7.5%

These are failures recorded at initial MOT tests in 2025. Retests are not counted. "All vehicles, same age" is the same defect's share of failed tests for all vehicles first used in the same years, weighted by the Scala's failed tests in each year. How we count

What to check when viewing a Scala

Based on the areas where Skoda Scala MOT tests fail most often. These are general checks anyone can do, not a mechanical inspection.

Tyres
In 36.2% of failed Scala tests
- Check the tread on every tyre. The legal minimum for cars is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread.
- Look for cuts, bulges, and wear on only the inner or outer edge, which can point to an alignment problem.
- Check that the spare wheel or the tyre repair kit is there.
Brakes
In 32.1% of failed Scala tests
- On a clear road, brake firmly. The car should stop in a straight line without juddering or pulling to one side.
- Check the handbrake holds the car on a slope.
- Look through the wheels at the brake discs for deep grooves or a raised lip at the edge.

Then read the car's own MOT history. Advisories in the same area at several tests are worth asking about.

Check a Scala's MOT history

After an MOT advisory

Skoda Scala cars that passed their 2024 MOT first time with an advisory, and what their next MOT found, against similar cars that passed with nothing noted in that area. All first-use years together.

Tyres

Of Skoda Scala cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a tyre advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 7.5% failed on tyres, against 3.8% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 1,175 and 4,073 cars.

With a tyre advisory7.5%
Similar cars, nothing noted3.8%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 8.7% of those with a tyre advisory and 8.8% of the others.

Brakes

Of Skoda Scala cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a brake advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 10.2% failed on brakes, against 3.1% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 1,097 and 4,174 cars.

With a brake advisory10.2%
Similar cars, nothing noted3.1%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 9.6% of those with a brake advisory and 8.6% of the others.

Similar cars are the same model, first-use year and mileage band. Areas are the DVSA's top-level groups, so the later fail may not be the fault that was advised. These figures describe what happened to these cars. They don't show what a repair would have changed.

How we worked this out All models compared, with the data

Skoda Scala questions

Which Skoda Scala years have lower MOT pass rates?

Compared with all vehicles first used in the same year, no model year is clearly below average. Above average: 2020. The rest can't be told apart from average. A pass rate is one signal: it also reflects mileage and upkeep, and doesn't record engine or gearbox faults.

Is the Skoda Scala reliable?

MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 86.8% of initial MOT tests on Skoda Scala cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 86.5%. That is about average. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't measure breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs.

What are the most common Skoda Scala problems at the MOT?

The most common failure areas are tyres (in 36.2% of failed tests) and brakes (in 32.1% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.

What mileage is normal for a 3-year-old Skoda Scala?

At their 2025 MOT tests, Skoda Scala cars first used in 2022, about 3 years old, had a median of 25,100 miles. Half had more and half had less.

How do I check a specific Scala's MOT history?

Enter its registration in our free check. It lists that car's own MOT results, the faults and advisories recorded and the mileage at each test, and flags repeated advisories and mileage that goes down.

Check a car's MOT history for free

What MOT data can't tell you about any Skoda Scala

Outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and plate changes aren't in MOT records. For a particular car, you need a history check.

Compare history checks What MOT history doesn't show

Other Skoda models

Points above (+) or below (−) the same-age average for all vehicles.

All 12 Skoda models Cars ranked by MOT pass rate, by age

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. For guidance only: these figures describe all Skoda Scala cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count