Skoda Scala review - Reliability & safety

Few family hatchbacks score badly on the Euro NCAP safety test, and the Skoda Scala has got the full five stars. It’s backed up by the might of the VW Group, and all current VW and Skoda models are five-star cars.

In the past, Skoda cars have been known to perform well in terms of reliability, though less-than-ideal standings in the latest Driver Power customer satisfaction rankings will be a disappointing blow for the Czech manufacturer.

Skoda could only manage 23rd out of 32 manufacturers in the latest Driver Power 2024 new car survey – we’ve come to expect more from the brand, which has posted top results in the past. Interestingly, while Skoda has traditionally been known for being VW Group’s budget brand, it didn’t quite match its sibling SEAT in terms of value for money in the eyes of owners. Customers generally like Skoda for its cars’ boot space and practical touches, legroom and mpg and running costs, while they were less enthusiastic about the infotainment, safety kit, ride quality and engines.

Skoda Scala reliability

While the Scala didn’t feature in our list of the top 50 cars as rated by owners in the 2024 Driver Power survey, 24% of Skoda owners reported a problem with their car in the first year, which is around 2% fewer than the year before, and about average for the industry.

Safety

All other VW Group cars have received the top score from Euro NCAP, and it’s reassuring that the Skoda Scala follows suit. It features a range of systems designed to stop you from having a crash, such as automatic city braking and lane-keep assist, and offers many airbags and automatic emergency services contact if you do have a collision. You can order extra features like adaptive cruise control and rear cross-traffic alert from the options list.

Servicing

Skoda offers fixed-price servicing for all its models, so you can expect to pay under £200 for an interim service and around £300 for a major service. An MOT – needed when the car turns three years old – currently costs less than £50, while an oil and filter change costs £100. A fixed plan covering the first two services costs around £500 up front, or you can spread the cost with monthly payments.

Warranty

The Scala benefits from the same warranty as other Skoda models. Any mechanical faults are covered for three years, with unlimited mileage for the first two years and up to 60,000 miles in the third year. Extended warranties are available, ranging from a four-year/80,000-mile warranty for around £250, to a five-year/100,000-mile warranty for £500.

A three-year warranty is the industry standard, but it doesn’t compare well to the five-year warranties offered by Toyota, Hyundai and Alfa Romeo, or the seven-year warranty in the Kia Ceed.