Skoda Octavia (2004)
2004 Skoda Octavia
CarHunch analysed 13,301 real MOT records for the 2004 Skoda Octavia. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2004 Skoda Octavia passes its MOT first time in 73.8% of cases, below the UK average of 80%, and a concerning 31.5% of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—well above acceptable thresholds for a buyer considering one. Petrol versions perform slightly better at 75.6% pass rate versus 73.4% for diesel, but the difference is marginal.
These Octavias average 111,298 miles, which is typical for their age, but they rack up an average of 4.2 failures and nearly 20 advisories per test, suggesting wear is catching up. If you're thinking of buying one, budget for imminent repairs and insist on a full pre-purchase inspection focusing on suspension, brakes, and exhaust components—the areas where older Octavias consistently stumble.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 2.2 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2004 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.
- ⚠️ 31.5% 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 (82%) | 10,895 | 73.4% | 4.22 |
| Petrol (18%) | 2,397 | 75.6% | 4.17 |
| LPG (0%) | 7 | 77.5% | 2.43 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
| Gas Bi-Fuel (0%) | 1 | 64.7% | 6 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2004 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 2004 Skoda Octavia vehicles fall between 85,332 and 139,147 miles.
2004 Skoda Octavia — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 1,317 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (13% 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 — 2004 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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67.2%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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64.7%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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56.5%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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51.2%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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43.6%
Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
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33%
Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay
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24%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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23.2%
Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2004. 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.