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SKODA FELICIA (1997)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 318 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,057

£171/month

MOT Pass Rate

67%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1896cc Diesel

Proceed With Caution

67% pass rate, £2057/year to run. 15 points below average.

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Diesel1896cc29 years old318 tests77k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1896cc)

~48 mpg

£1,037
Road Tax

Based on 1896cc

£265
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700
Total per year£2,057
Per month£171/mo
Per week£40/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

67% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 15 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the SKODA brand average of 88%.

At 29 years old, 67% of SKODA FELICIAs from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 318 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 76,984 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1997 cars278th of 320(top 87%)
Rank among SKODA models326th of 331(top 98%)
vs national average-15%(82% avg)
vs 1997 cars average-8%(75% avg)
vs SKODA average-21%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

76,984

Average miles

vs

214,600

Expected for age

The average 1997 SKODA FELICIA has 76,984 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 1998 model with a 72% MOT pass rate, while the 1995 model has the lowest at 66%. The 1997 sits between the two at 67%.

SKODA FELICIA by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
200069%57681,562 mi
199969%1,00883,978 mi
199872%56472,040 mi
199767%31876,984 mi
199671%14682,383 mi
199566%6458,709 mi

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About the 1997 SKODA FELICIA

The 1997 SKODA FELICIA is a family car with a 1896cc diesel engine. 318 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 87% of 1997 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 76,984 miles at 29 years old, SKODA FELICIA owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

1997 SKODA FELICIA Fuel Costs

The 1896cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 48 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,037 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 1997 SKODA FELICIA?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,057 171/month), broken down as £1037 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 67% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

SKODA FELICIA Reliability Trend

The SKODA FELICIA has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 2 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1997 SKODA FELICIA

At 29 years old, the SKODA FELICIA is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 1998 model has the highest pass rate at 72%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1997 SKODA FELICIA's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 67% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1997 SKODA FELICIA stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
SKODA FELICIA(1997)67%£1037£265Grp 18-32£2057
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(1995)69%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2250+£193
FIAT DUCATO(1999)72%£1037£135Grp 18-32£1727-£330
FORD FIESTA(1998)65%£1037£135Grp 18-32£1927-£130
MERCEDES C(1997)81%£1245£250Grp 25-38£1900-£157

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

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