Skoda Kodiaq: common problems, best years and what to check
Spacious seven-seat SUV; great value. Covers 2017–2024 cars: every popular engine, its known faults with typical UK repair costs, and how each year has held up on Britain's roads.
Updated November 2026 · By the Carnod team · How we build this guide
Is the Skoda Kodiaq a good used buy?
Best buy
2.0 TDI 150 DSG
Avoid
high-mile ex-fleet without DSG service
Who it suits: Large families wanting seven seats and VW engineering at a fair price.
What's good
- Huge interior
- Seven seats
- Comfortable
- Good value
What's not
- Third row is small
- DSG servicing
- Pricier than it was
- Plain to drive
By the numbers
- #123 most common model on UK roads, with about 64k licensed (DfT).
- The biggest surviving year is 2024: 12.0k cars still licensed.
- 2.0 TDI uses a belt (130k / 10 yrs): budget £500–£750 if there's no invoice.
- The most expensive common fault: DPF blockage on short trips (up to £1,500).
Skoda Kodiaq common problems by generation and engine
Skoda Kodiaq NS (2016–2023) · SUV; 7 seats; vRS
How to spot it: 17 plate to 23 plate. Crystalline headlights; 2021 facelift with LED Matrix.
1.5 TSI 130/150 (EA211 evo, petrol, 2017–2023)
Smooth and frugal; early cars hesitate when cold
- Kangaroo-hop / hesitation from cold (early 2017–2019 cars)£0–£300any · Check: Ask if the software update was done
2.0 TDI 150 (EA288, diesel, 2017–2023)
Strong and economical; EGR and DPF need longer runs
- EGR cooler / valve faults£400–£1,20060k+
- DPF blockage on short trips£300–£1,500any
Faults on any NS (2016–2023) engine
- DSG servicing£200–£40040k
Skoda Kodiaq PS (2024–) · SUV; iV PHEV
How to spot it: 24 plate onwards. Slimmer lights and a bigger grille.
2.0 TDI 150 (EA288, diesel, 2024–)
Strong and economical; EGR and DPF need longer runs
- EGR cooler / valve faults£400–£1,20060k+
- DPF blockage on short trips£300–£1,500any
1.5 TSI 130/150 (EA211 evo, petrol, 2024–)
Smooth and frugal; early cars hesitate when cold
- Kangaroo-hop / hesitation from cold (early 2017–2019 cars)£0–£300any · Check: Ask if the software update was done
Costs are typical UK independent-garage prices including parts and labour. Main dealers usually charge more.
Best and worst Skoda Kodiaq years
How many Skoda Kodiaqs from each year are still licensed today (DfT), coloured by how well that year survives compared with similar cars of the same age.
No year clearly outlasts similar cars. No year falls off the road noticeably faster than similar cars.
Skoda Kodiaq MOT pass rate and common failures
First-time pass rate (2025)
Average UK car of the same age
MOT tests analysed (2017+ cars)
Skoda Kodiaqs pass their MOT first time 3 points more often than the average UK car of the same age (87% vs 84%). Older cars fail more, so we compare like with like.
| First registered | Pass rate | Average UK car that age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 86% | 78% | 71k miles |
| 2018 | 86% | 81% | 63k miles |
| 2019 | 84% | 84% | 53k miles |
| 2020 | 88% | 86% | 44k miles |
| 2021 | 89% | 87% | 38k miles |
| 2022 | 90% | 89% | 28k miles |
Pass rate by fuel
Petrol
Diesel
Fuels differ in age and mileage mix, so treat this as a pattern rather than a like-for-like comparison.
Most common MOT failures
- Tyres: has a cut2.02 per 100
- Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.94 per 100
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.92 per 100
- Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.86 per 100
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.8 per 100
- Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.01 per 100
- Tyres: has ply or cords exposed0.77 per 100
- Headlamp aim: too low0.71 per 100
Most common advisories
- Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm20.82 per 100
- Tyres: has a tear16.39 per 100
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick14 per 100
- Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn12.68 per 100
- Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened11.73 per 100
- Non-component advisories: Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt6.85 per 100
- Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak5.49 per 100
- Brake discs: significantly and obviously worn4.05 per 100
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results for 2025 (normal car tests). First-time pass counts faults fixed during the test as fails. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Does the Skoda Kodiaq have a timing belt or chain?
| Engine | Type | When | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 TDI | belt | 130k / 10 yrs | £500–£750 |
| 1.5 TSI | belt | lifetime-rated; inspect 100k+ | £450–£650 |
Skoda Kodiaq running costs
Road tax (from April 2017)
Insurance groups
Real-world economy
Servicing (independent)
Tyres
Warranty when new
Is the Skoda Kodiaq ULEZ compliant?
- Petrol and hybrid: compliant if Euro 4 — nearly all petrol cars from 2006, many from 2001.
- Diesel: compliant only if Euro 6 — generally cars first registered from September 2015; earlier diesels pay £12.50 a day in London's ULEZ.
- Same standards apply in Birmingham and Bristol Clean Air Zones (which charge private cars) and Scotland's LEZs in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee (which fine them). Check the exact car on TfL's vehicle checker.
Safety and practicality
Euro NCAP
Boot
Seats
Skoda Kodiaq vs rivals
| Model | On UK roads | Insurance | Boot | Best buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skoda Kodiaq | 64k | 16–30 | 720 l | 2.0 TDI 150 DSG |
| Kia Sorento | — | — | — | Guide coming soon |
| Hyundai Santa Fe | — | — | — | Guide coming soon |
| Peugeot 5008 | — | — | — | Guide coming soon |
| VW Tiguan Allspace | — | — | — | Guide coming soon |
| Nissan X-Trail | 91k | 17–30 | 565 l | 2017+ T32 1.6 dCi manual |
What to check when buying a used Skoda Kodiaq
- DSG service records
Skoda Kodiaq FAQ
›Is the Skoda Kodiaq reliable?
Generally, if you pick the right version. Best buy: 2.0 TDI 150 DSG. Avoid: high-mile ex-fleet without DSG service.
›What is the Skoda Kodiaq MOT pass rate?
87% of Skoda Kodiaqs passed their MOT first time in 2025 (39,370 tests), better than the 84% average for cars of the same age. The most common failure: tyres: has a cut.
›What are the most common Skoda Kodiaq problems?
The costliest known faults are DPF blockage on short trips; EGR cooler / valve faults. Each one is listed by engine with typical UK repair costs above.
›Does the Skoda Kodiaq have a timing belt or chain?
2.0 TDI: belt; 1.5 TSI: belt.
›What is the best year Skoda Kodiaq to buy?
By DfT survival data, 2018, 2020, 2021 cars have outlasted comparable cars best. Condition and history still matter more than the year.
›How much does a Skoda Kodiaq cost to run?
Real-world economy: 1.5 TSI 38–44 mpg; 2.0 TDI 45–52 mpg. Insurance groups 16–30. A minor service is about £190–£270 at an independent garage.
›How much is road tax on a Skoda Kodiaq?
Cars registered from April 2017 pay £200 a year (more if the list price was over £40k). Older cars pay by CO2 band, from £20 to £790.
›Is the Skoda Kodiaq ULEZ compliant?
Petrol and hybrid: compliant if Euro 4 — nearly all petrol cars from 2006, many from 2001. Diesel: compliant only if Euro 6 — generally cars first registered from September 2015; earlier diesels pay £12.50 a day in London's ULEZ.
How we build this guide
We combine official UK data with what independent garages see most often on this model.
- How many are still on the road: DfT vehicle licensing statistics, by year first used. The survival comparison is against cars of the same age.
- MOT pass rates, failures and mileage: DVSA anonymised MOT results — every normal car MOT in Great Britain for the year, compared with all cars of the same age.
- Road tax: GOV.UK rates from April 2026. ULEZ: TfL and Clean Air Zone emission standards.
- Faults and repair costs: known problems by engine code, priced at typical UK independent-garage rates including parts and labour.
- Insurance groups, mpg, servicing and tyres: typical ranges, not quotes. Your car's exact figures depend on the version and where you live.
This is a buying guide, not a mechanical inspection. A specific car's MOT history tells you far more than any model average — run a free check on it before you go and see it.
Sources: licensed counts and survival from DfT vehicle licensing statistics; road tax from GOV.UK (April 2026 rates). Faults, costs, mpg and insurance groups are typical ranges, not quotes. A guide, not a mechanical inspection.