Skoda Octavia (2021)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 324 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,780

£148/month

MOT Pass Rate

85%

Good

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 1-8

999cc Petrol

Solid Option

85% pass rate, £1,780/year to run. Close to the average across all models.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific Skoda Octavia

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Petrol999cc5 years old324 tests57k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 999cc)

~50 mpg

£1,175

Road Tax

Standard rate (from April 2017)

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£1,780

Per month£148/mo

Per week£34/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included. Cars registered from April 2017 pay the £200 standard rate, plus £440 a year for five years (from the second year) if they cost over £40,000 new (over £50,000 for electric cars).

Reliability Verdict

85% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the average of 82% across all models in our data.

85% of MOT tests on Skoda Octavias from 2021 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 3 years old. That's based on 324 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 57,134 miles.

Got a Skoda Octavia you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2021 models3069th of 3,336(bottom 9%)

Rank among Skoda models240th of 329(bottom half)

vs average of all models+3%(82% avg)

vs 2021 models average-7%(92% avg)

vs Skoda average-3%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

57,134

Average miles

22,200

Expected for age

The average 2021 Skoda Octavia had 57,134 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is well above the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car. Check service history carefully, as high-mileage cars need consistent maintenance to stay reliable.

Looking at a specific Skoda Octavia?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 91%, while the 1998 model has the lowest at 67%. The 2021 scores 85%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Skoda Octavia by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	85%	324	57,134 mi
2020	91%	13,721	50,514 mi
2019	90%	31,534	61,297 mi
2018	90%	27,159	71,077 mi
2017	88%	29,246	84,339 mi
2016	87%	32,798	97,549 mi
2015	86%	30,840	108,406 mi
2014	85%	28,378	113,965 mi
2013	82%	18,141	120,720 mi
2012	78%	18,753	126,303 mi
2011	77%	19,826	120,414 mi
2010	76%	16,656	130,679 mi
2009	75%	12,158	132,069 mi
2008	73%	10,293	142,833 mi
2007	72%	11,009	144,641 mi
2006	71%	9,468	141,864 mi
2005	71%	5,516	143,706 mi
2004	73%	3,326	147,294 mi
2003	72%	2,670	151,314 mi
2002	73%	1,768	146,396 mi
2001	71%	1,135	143,061 mi
2000	68%	383	146,774 mi
1999	74%	208	138,431 mi
1998	67%	106	104,028 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Ford Fiesta

2019 · 998cc Petrol

£1,630/year

91%

+6%

Volkswagen Golf

2019 · 1498cc Petrol

£1,853/year

92%

+7%

Vauxhall Corsa

2019 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,003/year

88%

+3%

MINI Cooper

2019 · 1499cc Petrol

£1,853/year

92%

+7%

Check a Specific Skoda Octavia

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

About the 2021 Skoda Octavia

The 2021 Skoda Octavia is a city car. Our records list a 999cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 324 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 9% of 2021 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 57,134 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Skoda Octavia owners cover more miles than the average driver. High-mileage examples should be checked carefully for wear on suspension, brakes, and drivetrain components.

2021 Skoda Octavia Fuel Costs

The modest 999cc petrol engine keeps fuel costs low, which is a real advantage for a city car. Expect around 50 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,175 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2021 Skoda Octavia?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,780 (£148/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 85% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Skoda Octavia Reliability Trend

Newer Skoda Octavias pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 13 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2021 Skoda Octavia

At 5 years old, the Skoda Octavia offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost. If you're flexible on year, the 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 91%.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Coil Pack Failure

Medium risk

Smaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.

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 2021 Skoda Octavia stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Skoda Octavia(2021)	85%	£1,175	£200	Grp 1-8	£1,780
Ford Fiesta(2019)	91%	£1,175	£200	Grp 1-8	£1,630-£150
Volkswagen Golf(2019)	92%	£1,398	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,853+£73
Vauxhall Corsa(2019)	88%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,003+£223
MINI Cooper(2019)	92%	£1,398	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,853+£73

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2021 Skoda Octavia

Is the 2021 Skoda Octavia reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 85% of MOT tests on 2021 Skoda Octavias ended in a pass, from 324 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 3 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2021 Skoda Octavia cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,780 a year (£148 a month): £1,175 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £350 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2021 Skoda Octavia?

85% of 324 MOT tests on the 2021 Skoda Octavia ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 3069th of 3,336 models first registered in 2021 (bottom 9%).

Which year Skoda Octavia has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 Skoda Octavia has the highest MOT pass rate at 91% and the 1998 the lowest at 67%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2021 Skoda Octavia?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2021 Skoda Octavia is 57,134 miles, which is well above the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car. Check service history carefully, as high-mileage cars need consistent maintenance to stay reliable.