Skoda Yeti MOT Failures
An analysis of 906,567 real DVSA MOT tests on the Skoda Yeti — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: 5L (2009–2017).
Where the Skoda Yeti fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Skoda Yeti is headlight fault — this model is 26 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a significant weak point for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 906,567 MOT tests, 0.08% of all Skoda Yeti tests recorded this as a failure.
Lighting faults are usually straightforward to fix (bulbs, connectors, earth points) but can indicate deeper wiring issues on older cars. Check all lights including fog lamps, number plate lights, and dashboard warning lights.
Other notable weak points include transmission shaft flexible coupling deteriorated (19x the fleet average), power steering fault (36x the fleet average), abs fault (10x the fleet average), and reflector defective or damaged by up to 50% of ... (19x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Skoda Yeti's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 5 categories: Lights & Electrics, Bodywork, Steering, Brakes, Suspension. If you're inspecting a Skoda Yeti before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Skoda Yeti's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Skoda Yeti specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are power steering fault (36x the average) and transmission shaft flexible coupling deteriorated (19x). reflector defective or damaged by up to 50% of ... (19x) and headlight fault (17x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Skoda Yeti specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are transmission shaft flexible coupling deteriorated (13x the average) and headlight fault (12x). power steering fault (9.8x) and service brake efficiency below minimum requirement (9.5x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Skoda Yeti specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are suspension component fractured or (16x the average) and headlight fault (10x). transmission shaft flexible coupling deteriorated (8.3x) and reflector defective or damaged by up to 50% of ... (5.3x) also appear frequently.
The shift from power steering fault at lower mileages to suspension component fractured or at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Skoda Yeti specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Electronic power steering malfunction (5L) Dangerous
The electronic power steering system (EPS) on the Yeti uses an electric motor attached to the steering rack rather than hydraulic assistance. Affects 5L; typical independent garage repair cost is £800–£1,200.
Driveshaft flexible coupling deterioration (5L) Major
The driveshafts on 2.0 TDI variants use rubber flexible couplings (also called giubo joints) to absorb vibration between the transmission and wheels. Affects 5L; typical independent garage repair cost is £400–£600.
Parking brake efficiency failure (5L) Major
The Yeti uses a traditional cable-operated handbrake system that is prone to cable stretching and adjuster wear, particularly on diesel variants. Affects 5L; typical independent garage repair cost is £120–£200.
Shock absorber failure (5L) Major
The Yeti's shock absorbers are prone to premature failure, with MOT data showing failures at 8.4 times the national fleet average. Affects 5L; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£500.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Skoda Yeti common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Skoda Yeti
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Skoda Yeti:
Lights & Electrics — check for headlight fault, reflector defective or damaged by up to 50% of .... Bodywork — check for transmission shaft flexible coupling deteriorated. Steering — check for power steering fault. Brakes — check for abs fault, parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, service brake efficiency below minimum requirement.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about electronic power steering malfunction and driveshaft flexible coupling deterioration. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £800. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Skoda Yeti?
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Skoda Yeti MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Skoda Yeti?
Based on 906,567 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is headlight fault — at 26x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include transmission shaft flexible coupling deteriorated and power steering fault.
Is the Skoda Yeti reliable based on MOT data?
The Skoda Yeti has 12 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag electronic power steering malfunction as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Skoda Yeti most commonly fails on suspension component fractured or and headlight fault. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are power steering fault and transmission shaft flexible coupling deteriorated.
How do I check a Skoda Yeti's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.