Skoda Octavia (2002)
2002 Skoda Octavia
CarHunch analysed 13,974 real MOT records for the 2002 Skoda Octavia. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2002 Skoda Octavia fails its MOT first time in over a quarter of cases—73.1% pass rate versus the UK average of 80%—and one in four vehicles has recorded a dangerous defect, which is a genuine concern for safety-critical systems. Petrol versions fare marginally better at 74.4% than diesels at 72.4%, but neither inspires confidence.
At 121,798 miles median, these cars have typically covered high mileage for their age, and they're averaging four failures per test, suggesting deferred maintenance compounds reliability issues. Before buying one, get a pre-purchase inspection focused on brakes, suspension, and steering—the areas where dangerous defects cluster—because advisories alone (averaging 17.5 per car) hint at cumulative wear.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 2 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2002 Skoda Octavia
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 25.7% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Skoda Octavia
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (66%) | 9,251 | 72.4% | 4.02 |
| Petrol (34%) | 4,706 | 74.4% | 4.01 |
| LPG (0%) | 14 | 71.7% | 4.57 |
| Electric (0%) | 2 | 81.3% | 1.5 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 50% | 2 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2002 Skoda Octavia vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2002 Skoda Octavia vehicles fall between 95,491 and 154,687 miles.
2002 Skoda Octavia — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 667 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (8% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2002 Skoda Octavia
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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71.1%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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68.8%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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59.5%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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53.1%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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26.3%
Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A'
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25.7%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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24.3%
Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt
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22.4%
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2002. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Skoda Octavia?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.