Used buying checklist
Skoda Yeti reliability, common problems and used buying checks
A used Skoda Yeti looks better than average for reliability in UK MOT data: 14.6% of 89,270 tests failed, compared with 18.7% across all indexed models. A good example should have a clean MOT history for corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors.
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors.
Start with corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). MOT data does not capture every reliability issue, especially intermittent engine, gearbox or infotainment faults that do not appear during the test.
- 14.6% MOT failure rate
- Median tested mileage 62,816 miles
- 13,030 failed MOT tests analysed
Corrosion and structure is the clearest area to check
Corrosion and structure is the clearest named problem area in this model's MOT history (12.3 MOT notes per 100 tests). Example MOT phrases from this area include corroded and seriously weakened, excessively corroded, and ferrule excessively corroded.
Example MOT phrases to search in the car's history:
- corroded and seriously weakened
- excessively corroded
- ferrule excessively corroded
- corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened
- ball joint has excessive play
- ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated
- ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
- ball joint excessively worn
- damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view
- Items removed from drivers view prior to test
Focus on corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors
The model's recorded failure rate is 14.6%, -4.1 percentage points compared with the average across all models. Use the seller questions below to check whether repeat MOT notes have actually been repaired.
- MOT tests analysed89,270 tests
- Median tested mileage62,816 miles
- Failed MOT tests13,030
Should you buy a used Skoda Yeti?
85.4% of the MOT tests we analysed for this model passed. The model's recorded failure rate is 14.6%, -4.1 percentage points compared with the average across all models. This is a buying brief for the exact car in front of you: clean repeat history matters more than badge reputation.
- Repeat unresolved MOT notes for corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors
- corrosion and structure appearing across more than one MOT
- Any dangerous MOT failure on the exact car, especially if the same area appears again later
- No paperwork showing applicable recall work has been completed
- A seller who cannot explain MOT wording such as "corroded and seriously weakened"
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors.
Start with corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Corrosion and structure is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (12.3 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Past 100k miles on the Skoda Yeti, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors.
The MOT failure rate rises from 8.7% at 3-6 years to 20.2% at 10-15 years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%.
Start with corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and lights and electrical. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller.
5 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
What should I check first?
Start with corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and lights and electrical. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller. Each item shows whether it comes from MOT results, recall notices, or a standard used-car check.
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Corrosion and structure Seen in MOT results
Corrosion and structure is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (12.3 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Inspect sills, subframes, mounting points, arches, and underside corrosion advisories.
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Suspension and steering Seen in MOT results
Suspension and steering is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (6.7 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and inspect steering play.
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Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors Seen in MOT results
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (4.9 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check windscreen damage, wiper operation, washers, mirrors, and demisting.
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Lights and electrical Seen in MOT results
Lights and electrical is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (3.7 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check every lamp, warning light, horn, battery condition, and dashboard messages.
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Emissions, engine, and exhaust Seen in MOT results
Emissions, engine, and exhaust is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (2.7 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check warning lights, smoke, exhaust leaks, recent emissions failures, and service history.
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Tyres and wheels Seen in MOT results
Tyres and wheels is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (1.8 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check tyre age, tread depth, sidewall damage, wheel condition, and alignment wear.
What changes with mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Skoda Yeti, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors.
Common MOT problem areas
Common faults: what usually fails on this model?
Corrosion and structure is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (12.3 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Recall-related areas to verify
Official recall areas
Manufacturer recall notices for the Skoda Yeti mainly involve 2 areas: seatbelts and safety systems and emissions, engine, and exhaust. Treat each as something to verify on the specific car you are viewing; the recall table below shows the official notice text.
Mileage and age checks
Mileage changes: what starts showing up after high mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Skoda Yeti, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors. On lower-mileage cars, the most common named areas are corrosion and structure, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and lights and electrical.
| Mileage range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-50k | 30,270 | 26,651 | 9.4%-1.4 percentage points vs all models | 36,255 miles |
| 50-100k | 43,306 | 36,175 | 15.5%-5.2 percentage points vs all models | 70,229 miles |
| 100-150k | 13,122 | 10,112 | 22.0%-4.2 percentage points vs all models | 115,573 miles |
| 150-200k | 2,017 | 1,514 | 24.5%-2.7 percentage points vs all models | 162,734 miles |
| 200k+ | 260 | 183 | 29.2%+2.7 percentage points vs all models | 215,853 miles |
Problem areas by mileage
Past 100k miles on the Skoda Yeti, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors.
| Mileage range | Car areas most often recorded | Specific MOT defect examples |
|---|---|---|
| 0-50k |
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| 50-100k |
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| 100-150k |
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| 150-200k |
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| 200k+ |
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Fair comparisons: is this problem normal for its age?
The MOT failure rate rises from 8.7% at 3-6 years to 20.2% at 10-15 years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%. The highest failure rate by age is 20.2% for 10-15 years cars, based on 25,617 tests.
| Age range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-6 years 2020–2023 reg. |
7,008 | 6,303 | 8.7%-1.9 percentage points vs all models | 6.0 years |
| 6-10 years 2016–2020 reg. |
56,645 | 48,512 | 12.8%-3.8 percentage points vs all models | 8.0 years |
| 10-15 years 2011–2016 reg. |
25,617 | 19,997 | 20.2%-3.3 percentage points vs all models | 11.5 years |
Recall records and data freshness
Recall context: are there safety notices to know about?
5 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
| 2025-07-18 | Takata drivers side front airbag On affected vehicles the propellant in the front airbag may deteriorate due to high humidity and temperature fluctuations. As a result in the event of an accident and airbag deployment fragments could detach from the generator housing and injure the vehicle occupants. Replace the front airbag on the driver's side. |
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| 2023-03-27 | On affected vehicles from a certain production period there is a possibility that the gas generator cover could be damaged when the driver's airbag is activated. On affected vehicles from a certain production period there is a possibility that the gas generator cover could be damaged when the driver's airbag is activated. Replace the driver's airbag in affected vehicles. |
| 2017-06-22 | PARTS OF SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER MAY BE DISLODGED ON DEPLOYMENT Due to a faulty connection part of the pyrotechnical system could become dislodged on deployment in an accident and enter the vehicle interior putting the occupants at risk of injury. On affected vehicles. Replace seat belt on affected vehicles. |
| 2016-04-06 | SIDE AIRBAG GAS GENERATOR CANISTER MAY FAIL For certain vehicles manufactured within a specific period it is possible that the gas generator housing may be damaged if a side airbag is deployed. If the airbag/s were deployed the gas generator could explode and dislodge small metal parts which could cause injury to the vehicle occupants. On affected vehicles check the dates of manufacture of side airbags and replace where necessary. |
| 2011-12-15 | FUEL MAY LEAK On 2.0l Common Rail engines of a limited production period faulty material can cause leaks on the high pressure pipes during the service life of the vehicle. Anti-vibration balance weights will be fitted on the high-pressure pipes. |
Related searches
Common ways people look up the Skoda Yeti. Each link runs the search and lands on the relevant section of this report.
Related reliability guides
See where this model sits against other Skoda reports by MOT failure rate and common problem area.
Compare high-confidence model reports across all makes.
Use the fleet mileage baseline before checking this model's own mileage table.
Compare this model's age pattern with the wider MOT baseline.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). These are patterns from many MOT tests and recall notices. They help you decide what to inspect and what to ask; they do not certify the condition of one specific car.