Known APK problem
Škoda Octavia III: wheels and wheel bearings
On the Škoda Octavia III the APK inspector finds wheels and wheel bearings problems 2.3× as often as on cars of the same age: at 5–6 years 0.6%, against about 0.3% nationally.
Window: Oct 2025 – Sep 2026 · Updated: 16 Oct 2026
What is it?
Play or noise in the wheel bearings, or damaged wheels.
How to check it at the viewing
On the test drive, listen for a humming noise that rises with speed.
Ask the seller: Have any wheel bearings been replaced?
By age
Share of inspected Škoda Octavia IIIs with this defect, compared with all cars of the same age.
| Age | Type | Octavia III | National | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 – 6 years | B | 0.6% | 0.3% | 2.3× |
| 7 – 8 years | B | 0.5% | 0.6% | 0.8× |
| 9 – 10 years | B | 0.8% | 0.6% | 1.3× |
| 11 – 12 years | B | 1.3% | 1.0% | 1.3× |
A = structure, safety or costly mechanics; B = fail, usually simple; C = advisory. An age is missing when this defect is not among the most common there.
Comparable cars at 5–6 years
| Model | Wheels and wheel bearings | Vs. national |
|---|---|---|
| Škoda Octavia III | 0.6% | 2.3× |
| Volkswagen Passat B8 | 0.3% | 1.1× |
Looking at a Škoda Octavia III? Check that car
Enter the plate and see the APK history, open recalls and how this car compares with other Škoda Octavia IIIs of the same age.
All weak spots of the Škoda Octavia III · Wheels and wheel bearings: which models more often · Checklist for this model
Frequently asked questions
Does the Škoda Octavia III often have wheels and wheel bearings problems?
Yes, more often than average at the APK. At 5–6 years the inspector found a wheels and wheel bearings defect on 0.6% of inspected Škoda Octavia IIIs, against about 0.3% of all cars of the same age (2.3×). Source: RDW Open Data, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026.
How do you check the wheels and wheel bearings on a used Škoda Octavia III?
On the test drive, listen for a humming noise that rises with speed.
Repair indication: small, medium or large. An indication of the usual repair, not a quote: the real cost depends on the car, the cause and the garage.
Source: RDW Open Data (CC0), analysis CarXray.nl. 6,857,004 inspected passenger cars aged 3 years and older, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026. Each car counts once. How we know