Model reliability

Skoda Rapid reliability

The Skoda Rapid fails its MOT about as often as most cars 6 to 10 years old: 25.3% of 20,116 tests failed in 2023, against 24.4% on average.

Up to 5 years old

16% failed their MOT

About average

From 2,670 MOT tests of Skoda Rapids this age.

Where it does worse than other cars this age

Fails 69% more oftenTyre condition5.4% vs 3.2%Fix about £90

Fails 7× as oftenSuspension arms2.2% vs 0.3%

Advised 83% more oftenTyre condition15.4% vs 8.4%Fix about £90

Advised 8× as oftenShock absorbers10.1% vs 1.3%Fix about £200

Advised 7× as oftenSuspension arms6.7% vs 1%

6 to 10 years old

25.3% failed their MOT

About average

From 20,116 MOT tests of Skoda Rapids this age.

Where it does worse than other cars this age

Fails 49% more oftenTyre condition5.2% vs 3.5%Fix about £90

Fails 2× as oftenSuspension arms4.6% vs 2.3%

Fails 32% more oftenHeadlamp aim3.3% vs 2.5%Fix about £30

Fails 80% more oftenAnti-roll bars1.8% vs 1%

Advised 31% more oftenMechanical brake components21.7% vs 16.6%

Advised 4× as oftenShock absorbers13.3% vs 3%Fix about £200

Advised 79% more oftenSuspension arms9.5% vs 5.3%

Safety recalls

6 DVSA recalls for the Skoda Rapid

Most cover a batch of cars built in a set period, and dealers fix them free. Sweep’s check shows the recalls for a car’s age and whether the DVSA has one outstanding.

R/2026/3422 Sept 2026Built 2017Replacing TAKATA driver airbag

On affected vehicles in the event of an accident in which the airbag is deployed the front airbag gas generator could burst sending metal fragments into the vehicle. This could cause serious harm or fatal injuries to the driver and their passengers.

Fix: Replace the front airbag on the driver side.

Recalled models: RAPID · 1 vehicles

R/2026/00218 Jul 2025Built 2012–2014Takata 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.

Fix: Replace the front airbag on the driver's side.

Recalled models: RAPID · 9 vehicles

R/2023/08627 Mar 2023Built 2013–2015On 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.

Fix: Replace the driver's airbag in affected vehicles.

Recalled models: RAPID · 4 vehicles

R/2019/21030 May 2019Built 2018Air bag may not inflate quickly enough on deployment

Driver�s airbag may not inflate quickly enough in case of its activation

Fix: The steering wheel airbag has to be replaced in the vehicles affected

Recalled models: RAPID · 393 vehicles

R/2017/19222 Jun 2017Built 2016Parts 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.

Fix: Replace seat belt on affected vehicles.

Recalled models: RAPID · 1,293 vehicles

R/2016/1587 Jul 2016Built 2015–2016Manual child locks on rear passenger doors may disengage without warning

The door child locks may disengage without driver knowledge. Though the door remains close it is possible for the door to then be opened from the inside.

Fix: On affected vehicles inspect lock mechanism and replace where necessary.

Recalled models: RAPID · 3,258 vehicles

DVSA vehicle safety recalls (Crown copyright, Open Government Licence).

Checking a Skoda Rapid before you buy

Look at the parts above at the viewing, and read the car’s own MOT history: advisories for the same parts suggest the problem is already starting. Sweep’s free check shows every MOT, advisory and mileage reading for a registration.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2023 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Failure rates compare this model with all cars in the same age band. Fix prices are typical independent-garage estimates.

Skoda Rapid reliability

6 DVSA recalls for the Skoda Rapid

Checking a Skoda Rapid before you buy

Run this check on every listing, automatically.