Skoda Octavia SE L First Edition TSI (2021)
Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 283 MOT tests in 2024.
Annual Cost
£1,853
£154/month
MOT Pass Rate
99%
Excellent
Road Tax
£200
Standard rate/year
Est. Insurance
Grp 12-25
1498cc Petrol
Great Choice
99% pass rate, £1,853/year to run. 17 points above average.
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Annual Running Costs
~42 mpg
Standard rate (from April 2017)
Low estimate due to excellent reliability
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
Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 17 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Skoda brand average of 88%.
99% of MOT tests on Skoda Octavia SE L First Edition TSIs from 2021 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 3 years old. That's based on 283 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 26,049 miles.
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How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
26,049
Average miles
22,200
Expected for age
The average 2021 Skoda Octavia SE L First Edition TSI had 26,049 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is in line with the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.
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Skoda Octavia SE L First Edition TSI by Year
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About the 2021 Skoda Octavia SE L First Edition TSI
The 2021 Skoda Octavia SE L First Edition TSI is a small family car. Our records list a 1498cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 283 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. It ranks in the top 4% of all 2021 models for MOT pass rate.
With an average of 26,049 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Skoda Octavia SE L First Edition TSI owners drive about as much as the UK average.
2021 Skoda Octavia SE L First Edition TSI Fuel Costs
The 1498cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,398 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 SE L First Edition TSI?
Total estimated annual running cost is £1,853 (£154/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 99% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.
Buying a Used 2021 Skoda Octavia SE L First Edition TSI
At 5 years old, the Skoda Octavia SE L First Edition TSI offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost.
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.
Service History
Low riskAlways 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 SE L First Edition TSI 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 SE L First Edition TSI(2021) | 99% | £1,398 | £200 | Grp 12-25 | £1,853 |
| Ford Fiesta(2019) | 91% | £1,175 | £200 | Grp 1-8 | £1,630-£223 |
| Volkswagen Golf(2019) | 92% | £1,398 | £200 | Grp 12-25 | £1,853same |
| Vauxhall Corsa(2019) | 88% | £1,398 | £200 | Grp 8-20 | £2,003+£150 |
| Nissan Qashqai(2020) | 93% | £1,398 | £200 | Grp 12-25 | £1,853same |
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 SE L First Edition TSI
Is the 2021 Skoda Octavia SE L First Edition TSI reliable?
Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 99% of MOT tests on 2021 Skoda Octavia SE L First Edition TSIs ended in a pass, from 283 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 17 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.
How much does a 2021 Skoda Octavia SE L First Edition TSI cost to run?
Our estimate is £1,853 a year (£154 a month): £1,398 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £200 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.
What is the MOT pass rate for a 2021 Skoda Octavia SE L First Edition TSI?
99% of 283 MOT tests on the 2021 Skoda Octavia SE L First Edition TSI ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 108th of 3,336 models first registered in 2021 (top 4%).
Which year Skoda Octavia SE L First Edition TSI has the best MOT pass rate?
Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 Skoda Octavia SE L First Edition TSI has the highest MOT pass rate at 99% and the 2020 the lowest at 92%. 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 SE L First Edition TSI?
The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2021 Skoda Octavia SE L First Edition TSI is 26,049 miles, which is in line with the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.
Related Skoda Models
Explore other Skoda cars or similar models in the same category.
Skoda Octavia
2016 · 1598cc Diesel
Skoda Fabia
2016 · 1197cc Petrol
Skoda Karoq
2019 · 999cc Petrol
Ford Fiesta
2019 · 998cc Petrol
Volkswagen Golf
2019 · 1498cc Petrol
Vauxhall Corsa
2019 · 1398cc Petrol
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