Used Skoda Karoq 2017-present reliability

Visibility in the Skoda Karoq is pretty good, but there are no front parking sensors on lower trim levels, so make sure to check the extremities for scuffs and marks, and the same goes for the alloy wheels.

You’ll also want to pay close attention to the interior, because a Karoq is likely to have been bought by families to carry children. Look out for stains, scratches and broken plastics throughout as signs of a less-than-sympathetic former ownership. Don’t forget to fold down the tray tables in the back, if fitted, to check them out too.

Cracked front seat frame

It's possible that a small number of Karoqs built between 1 February 2019 and 5 February 2019 could have a cracked left front seat frame. A Skoda dealer will be able to inspect your seat for any damage and will replace the frame if necessary.

Parking brake

The parking brake on some examples made between 1 July 2017 and 31 August 2018 could disengage at the wrong moment when the clutch is depressed. Any Skoda dealer will be able to let you know if your car is affected and can perform a software update if necessary to solve the issue.

Rear head restraints

There have been two recalls so far for the rear head restraints of the Karoq: the first relates to vehicles constructed between 1 May 2018 and 31 August 2018 where the mounting bracket might not have been welded correctly during production; the second is for the central head rest of models made between 18 April 2018 and 26 June 2018. Your local dealer will be able to let you know if your car needs to have any recall work carried out.

A-pillar interior moulding

Early cars manufactured between 21 October 2017 and 31 December 2017 had an issue with the interior moulding that covers the A-pillar near the windscreen: the fleece covering the moulding could peel off the moulding, which could then splinter in cold weather if the curtain airbag deploys from behind it in a collision, leading to potential injuries. Check with your nearest Skoda dealer to find out if your car still needs this recall to be carried out.

Engine torque

On cars manufactured between 2018 and 2019, there was an issue where too little torque (the engine's pulling power) was provided at low engine speeds. This is fixable via a software update for the engine's control unit, and you can check whether this has been carried out at your local Skoda dealer.

In our What Car? Reliability Survey, the petrol-powered Karoq performed reasonably well. It finished in 11th place out of 23 cars in the small SUV class with an overall score of 96.7%. Diesel-powered models, on the other hand, performed poorly, finishing in 21st position with a score of 87.6%.

Skoda Karoq petrol (2017-present)

Reliability rating 96.7%

What went wrong? Petrol versions of the Skoda Karoq are more reliable than diesel-powered Karoqs, with the main fault areas relating to the non-engine electrics and sat-nav/infotainment system. Thankfully, most cars were drivable and fixed in less than a day, plus most were fixed under warranty.

Skoda Karoq diesel (2017-present)

Reliability rating 87.6%

What went wrong? Diesel versions of the Skoda Karoq are more likely to go wrong than petrols, with a fault rate of 30% (versus 15%). Engine and non-engine electrical faults were the biggest headaches. Most affected cars were back on the road in less than a week, but only 43% of repairs were free, with 29% of owners facing bills of up to £750.

Check out the full list of small SUVs here.

As a brand, Skoda came 13th out of 31 manufacturers featured, with a good score of 91.8%. That places it above Ford, Nissan and Volkswagen, but below Hyundai, Kia and Renault. Check out the full list of brands here.

Used Skoda Karoq reliability: the owners' view

In our most recent Reliability Survey, What Car? readers reported mixed experiences with the reliability of the Skoda Karoq, with differences across petrol and diesel models. Petrol Karoqs were more prone to non-engine electrical faults, with several owners citing issues with warning lights and infotainment systems, some requiring multiple dealer visits to resolve. Diesel models had fewer electronic complaints but did experience issues with the DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter), which some found costly to fix outside warranty periods.

In terms of dealership service, feedback was also varied. Many owners described Skoda dealerships as helpful and accommodating, with warranty repairs handled smoothly. However, a few reported delayed parts and repeat visits for unresolved issues, particularly with infotainment glitches in petrol models. The costs of repairs outside warranty emerged as a concern, as some Karoq owners found them higher than expected. Overall, while reliable for most, some Karoq models presented persistent electronic issues that dealerships struggled to resolve efficiently.