Skoda 120 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Skoda 120 car check
Is the Skoda 120 reliable? We analysed 1,253 real MOT tests across 211 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Skoda 120? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Skoda 120 is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive, brake pipe excessively corroded and seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Skoda 120.
Skoda 120 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Skoda 120. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Skoda 120 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Skoda 120 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Skoda 120 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Skoda 120 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Skoda 120 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Skoda 120 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Skoda 120 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Skoda 120 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 131 | 64.9% | 27,522 | 38,334 | 50,708 |
| 1989 | 308 | 69.5% | 17,770 | 38,600 | 60,513 |
| 1988 | 169 | 73.4% | 23,137 | 31,836 | 46,105 |
| 1987 | 161 | 69.6% | 18,503 | 35,957 | 42,973 |
| 1986 | 161 | 75.2% | 22,001 | 37,205 | 42,072 |
| 1984 | 101 | 80.2% | 17,859 | 36,155 | 55,417 |
How Long Does a Skoda 120 Last?
Based on 211 Skoda 120 vehicles on UK roads.
Skoda 120 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Skoda 120 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Skoda 120
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
80.2% MOT pass rate from 101 tests
64.9% MOT pass rate from 131 tests
The best year to buy a used Skoda 120 is 1984, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 80.2% across 101 tests. The 1990 model year has the lowest pass rate at 64.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Skoda 120 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skoda 120 THIS CAR | 70.9% | 1,253 | 37,220 mi | 42 yrs |
| Skoda Fabia | 76% | 4,863,673 | 58,216 mi | 26 yrs |
| Skoda Octavia | 77.7% | 3,816,734 | 87,093 mi | 28 yrs |
| Skoda Yeti | 84.4% | 844,079 | 52,202 mi | 17 yrs |
| Seat Leon FR Sport Etsi Evo S-a | 88.8% | 1,444 | 29,986 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Skoda Fabia (76.0% pass rate) and the Skoda Octavia (77.7% pass rate), the Skoda 120 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Skoda 120 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Skoda 120Should you buy a used Skoda 120?
The Skoda 120 has an overall MOT pass rate of 70.9% across 1,253 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Skoda 120 are exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (56 recorded failures), brake pipe excessively corroded (51), and seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (51). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Skoda 120 owner drives around 572 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Skoda 120 models stay on UK roads for around 42 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.