- How reliable is Skoda?
- How reliable is the Skoda Octavia?
- How reliable is the Skoda Fabia?
- Why is Skoda reliable?
- What are the most reliable Skoda cars?
Founded in 1894 as Laurin & Klement in the Czech Republic, Skoda have a rich and interesting history. Once owned by the state during the days of the communist government, Skoda is now part of the Volkswagen Group.
Skoda have become increasingly popular, with total global sales reaching 1.12 million in 2016. But there is one thing that people still question about Skoda, and that’s the company’s longevity.
Just how reliable is Skoda?
In this article, we look at how reliable Skoda are, and compare their reliability to some of their rivals.
How reliable is Skoda?
Skoda are very reliable. So reliable, in fact, that they’ve topped quite a few dependability tables in the past few years.
The Telegraph placed Skoda at the top of their dependability table in 2016 and 2017. Skoda had just 66 problems per 100 vehicles which is down from the 77 problems per 100 vehicles last year. To compare, Suzuki came second and had 79 problems per 100 vehicles. In a J.D Power Vehicle Dependability Study in 2015, Skoda came top with 77 problems per 100 vehicles. The overall industry average is 114 problems per 100 vehicles. They also topped the J.D Power study in 2016 in which they claimed Skoda had just 66 problems per 100 vehicles.
How reliable is the Skoda Octavia?
WhatCar? rank the Octavia as above average for many parts including the electrics, fuel filter and cambelt. All of these things last well past the industry average, particularly the electrics that last an average 95,000 miles instead of the class average of 58,000. However, the Octavia does score lower than average for wiper blades and bulbs. ReliabilityIndex have awarded the Octavia with a reliability index of 96. This is impressive, as the lower the score, the more reliable the car is.
How reliable is the Skoda Fabia?
If we look at what owners have said about theSkoda Fabia, the response has been wholly positive. There have been a few issues, but on average the Fabia has scored 4/5 and 5/5 with many citing reliability as a strong point. ReliabilityIndex awarded the Fabia with a reliability index of just 40. This is one of the lowest we have seen.
ReliabilityIndex score Skoda quite highly as a brand, placing it 13th with a reliability index of 93.
So it’s safe to say that Skoda is a reliable car brand.
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Why is Skoda reliable?
Skoda’s reliability may come as a surprise to some, as Skoda was once believed to be an unreliable brand and, in all honesty, a bit of a joke to some car enthusiasts. So, what changed?
The acquisition by the Volkswagen Group probably had something to do with it, as did their no frills approach to their cars.
A common misconception about cars is that the more luxurious they are, the more dependable they will be. In fact, this is not the case. Many experts are now saying that luxury cars are becoming less reliable due to the amount of new technology in their cars. A JD Power spokesman told This is Money.
“Over a third of the top ten problems relate to the in-car technology for UK customers. This issue is affecting the premium market’s dependability and reliability ranking. Consumers are happier with the tried and tested technologies from the likes of Skoda and Kia, which match the buyers expectations and level of understanding”.
While a high level of technology might be great for some owners, it can cause problems down the line. They can often be difficult and expensive to fix, pushing a model’s longevity down. However, Skoda’s no frills approach to their models means that there is none of this technology to go wrong. This isn’t a bad thing, as those who buy a Skoda know exactly what they are getting and that’s a car that is easy to drive and is extremely reliable.
So there are a few of the reasons Skoda is so dependable.
What are the most reliable Skoda cars?
The most dependable Skoda cars are:
- Octavia
- Fabia
These have scored very well on the reliability index.
Interested in one of these reliable Skoda models? Request a callback now or call us on 01903 538835.
What are the most unreliable Skoda cars?
And the most unreliable Skoda cars are;
These are both pretty reliable compared to some other models, but they are the least reliable Skoda cars.
In conclusion, if you are looking for a no frills car that is well built and extremely reliable, then you can’t go wrong with a Skoda. The fact that they do not use a huge amount of modern technology means that their reliability score is very high. This is because there is less to go wrong with the car and it also doesn’t cost a lot to repair when something does go wrong. Many parts, including the cam belt and electrics, last considerably longer than the average car, though they do fall down when it comes to wiper blades, which need replacing more often than the average car. The most reliable Skoda is the Octavia, scoring a very low (and in turn, very good) score on ReliabilityIndex and owners of the Octavia have had very few complaints about its reliability. That said, if you are undecided whether a Skoda is for you, then you could also consider a Suzuki. They aren’t far behind Skoda in terms of reliability and so would also be a great car if you are looking for something that is reliable.
What about the rapid?
Hi Andrew,
Thank you for your comment. We are in the process of updating all our reliability articles with the latest available data, so will take the suggestion to include information on the Rapid into account. Though our data is using reliability information from UK drivers.
I have a skoda octavia 2017 35k in the clock. First MOT result: both front shock absorbers leaking oil needs repair. After paying £500 to fix it I question how reliable a skoda is!!! All my previous cars was 10 years old plus never had to touch shocks.
My personal opinion is this car is a cheap made thing from Volkswagen group Just do not buy it. I learn the lesson the hard way.
Hi Balazs,
Thank you for your comments regarding the Skoda. It’s unfortunate that you’ve had this negative experience. They have a stronger reputation than they had when they were first launched across Europe and are getting more popular for motorists in the UK every year.
The about to be released Skoda Enyaq iV Coupe looks to be a great electric vehicle. In New Zealand we will wait for the RHD format which can’t happen fast enough.
Our current EV vehicle choices are hindered by being a RHD vehicle.
This new Skoda EV looks to compare well with the Audi E-tron S Sportback and the Tesla Y.
Skoda have achieved a level of quality earned over seven decades at least. An accepted quality vehicle manufacturer moving forward with growing customer loyalty with desirable modern vehicles.
We look forward to driving this new Enyaq as soon as possible.
Gordon Peterson.
How about the Skoda scarla, is that similar to the Fabia?
Hi there Vivek, thank you for your query. The Skoda Scala and Skoda Fabia may share some similarities, but they also have significant differences. While the Scala is a compact family car with a spacious interior and advanced technology, the Fabia is a smaller supermini car, offering improved practicality. If you’re looking to order a Skoda, one of our Vehicle Specialists will be more than happy to help. Get in touch on 01903 538835.
I am a MOTABILITY customer. Due to change my CITROEN Ec4 in early October.
I Have read a lot about the SKODA Enyak Coupe and the readable bit makes me feel that a test drive with the car would be useful, plus how many weeks from ordering will the ENYAK COUPE be available. I do realise that the time frame for ordering ,normally is not a problem for the regular customer, but MOTABILITY have somewhat rigid rules on ordering. IE:- it must be at the end of my 3 year contract.
Unless this rule can be “mobile”, I cannot see me ordering early.
Kind regards,
Jim Thomas. ([email protected] )
Hi there Jim, thank you for reaching out. It’s great to hear that you’re considering the SKODA Enyak Coupe for your next vehicle.
Regarding your question about the availability of the Enyak Coupe and the timing of ordering, I recommend contacting your local SKODA dealership or reaching out to SKODA’s customer service directly. They will have the most accurate information about the availability of the vehicle and any specific ordering timelines, especially considering MOTABILITY’s guidelines.