Skoda Kamiq MOT pass rate: 90.6% across 21,814 tests

The Skoda Kamiq passes its MOT 90.6% of the time across 21,814 tests. That puts it 10 percentage points above the Skoda make average of 80.6%, and firmly in the top tier of compact SUVs for MOT performance.

The Kamiq arrived in the UK in 2019, which means the data covers cars at their first and second MOTs. These are young vehicles, mostly between three and five years old, averaging 25,373 miles. That context matters: you would expect a relatively new car to do well. The question is whether it does well compared to equally young rivals. The answer is yes.

Year by year: consistent from the start

With only three registration years in the data, the Kamiq's MOT story is short but reassuringly flat. Pass rates barely move between model years, hovering around 90% to 91% regardless of age.

The 2019 models pass at 91.1% with an average of 31,631 miles. The 2021 models, newer and with lower mileage at 23,985, pass at 90.4%. The tiny dip is not meaningful at these volumes. What matters is that even the oldest Kamiqs, now approaching six years old and averaging over 30,000 miles, are still comfortably above 90%.

Platform siblings: the MQB A0 family

The Kamiq sits on the Volkswagen Group's MQB A0 platform, shared with the VW T-Cross, SEAT Arona, and Audi Q2. This is essentially the same car underneath, with different bodywork and trim. So how do the siblings compare?

The Audi Q2 leads at 92.1%, though its larger sample includes older vehicles with higher mileage, making the comparison imperfect. The VW T-Cross and Kamiq are virtually identical at 90.8% and 90.6%, which makes sense given the shared underpinnings. The SEAT Arona trails at 87.6%, likely influenced by its larger sample of 71,000 tests including older, higher-mileage examples.

The takeaway: the MQB A0 platform is mechanically solid. Whether you badge it as a Skoda, VW, or Audi, the fundamentals hold up well.

How it compares to the wider market

Against the broader compact SUV field, the Kamiq is near the top. It comfortably beats the French alternatives and holds its own against Korean rivals.

A note on fairness: the Peugeot 2008 and Renault Captur have much larger test pools because they include older generations that have been on sale far longer. Those older cars drag the average down. If you compared only post-2019 models, the gap would narrow. But the Kamiq would still be ahead.

Skoda's reputation for offering VW Group engineering at a lower price is well known. The MOT data backs this up. You get the same platform reliability as a T-Cross or Q2, at a lower purchase price, with no penalty in mechanical durability.

What actually fails

For a car this young, you would expect the failure list to be dominated by wear items rather than design flaws. That is exactly what the data shows.

Brakes dominate the failure list. Brake pads at 2.1% and worn discs at 1.0% are the top two mechanical failures, followed by brake effort fluctuation at 0.8%. Combined, brake-related issues account for the majority of Kamiq MOT failures. This is not unusual for a car of this age and mileage, but it is worth noting if you are approaching an MOT.

Tyre damage at 1.8% is the second biggest cause. This is a consumable, not a design issue. A quick check of your tyres before the test will prevent most of these failures.

Engine warning lights account for just 0.2% of tests (40 out of 21,814). That is a very low figure and suggests no widespread engine or emissions problems with the Kamiq's 1.0 TSI and 1.5 TSI petrol engines.

There are no structural, corrosion, or suspension failures appearing in meaningful numbers. For a car this young, that is expected, but it is still reassuring.

Variant breakdown

The Kamiq is sold in several trim levels. Pass rates are consistent across the range, with only minor variation.

The spread from top to bottom is just 3.9 percentage points (93.1% to 89.2%). The automatic (DSG) variants tend to score slightly higher, possibly because automatic buyers tend to cover fewer miles. The entry-level S trim at 89.2% is marginally lower, but with only 981 tests the difference is not statistically significant.

No variant stands out as one to avoid. Buy whichever trim suits your budget and the MOT data will not punish you for it.

Known issues beyond the MOT

MOT data captures mechanical and safety items, but owners report some issues that would not show up in test results. According to What Car?'s reliability survey, around 35% of Kamiq owners reported a fault, with the most common being engine, fuel system, and infotainment glitches. These are typically software or electrical niggles rather than mechanical failures.

Owner forums also mention occasional start-stop system issues and infotainment freezes. These are irritating but will not cause an MOT failure. The important thing the data shows is that the mechanical fundamentals are sound: engine, brakes, suspension, and bodywork all hold up well through the first MOT cycle.

Preparing for the MOT

Given that brakes and tyres account for the majority of Kamiq failures, a quick check before your test is worth doing. Look at your brake pad depth (most garages will check for free) and inspect tyres for damage and tread depth. If you want a thorough pre-MOT check, BookMyGarage lets you compare local garages and book online.

The verdict

The Skoda Kamiq is exactly what the badge promises: sensible VW Group engineering at a competitive price, with no compromise on durability. A 90.6% pass rate puts it among the best compact SUVs on sale, level with the VW T-Cross and ahead of almost every rival outside the Volkswagen family.

The failure profile is clean. No recurring design faults, no structural concerns, no engine or emissions red flags. Just normal wear items: brakes and tyres. For a used buy in the compact SUV segment, the Kamiq is one of the safest choices the MOT data can point you towards.

For the full variant breakdown and model-level data, see our Skoda Kamiq MOT data page.