Used Skoda Rapid Spaceback 2013-present reliability
Category: Family car
While it’s not class-leading to drive, the Skoda Rapid Spaceback does offer quite a lot of interior room and good equipment levels
What should I look for in a used Skoda Rapid Spaceback hatchback?
The Rapid uses a number of cheaper plastics in the interior that are generally tough but can be scratched, so have a look around for any unsightly damage.
Check the alloy wheels for signs of curb damage. Not only is this potentially costly to put right, but it could also be a clue to future tyre wear and suspension problems if the knock has been serious enough to put the suspension geometry out.
Most models come with rear parking sensors but accidents can still happen, so look out for any damage to the bodywork and bumpers, because paint and body repairs can be expensive.
What are the most common problems with a used Skoda Rapid Spaceback hatchback?
Two recalls have been issued for the Skoda Rapid that you should consider looking into if you’re thinking of buying a Rapid Spaceback, particularly when you consider how closely they’re related. The first applies to cars produced between 25 November 2015 and 14 April 2016 and concerns child door locks that might disengage without warning. The second is to do with the possibility of parts in the seatbelt pretensioners becoming dislodged when they engage in an accident. It affects vehicles built between 1 May 2016 and 31 October 2016. If you’re in doubt, contact your local Skoda dealer for further information.
If your Rapid Spaceback has a diesel engine, it is fitted with a diesel particulate filter (DPF). This means that the car will need to be taken on regular motorway journeys to ensure that the DPF can regenerate, because this process is only triggered at high speeds. Check how the previous owner has used the car if you are unsure.
Other potential problems with DPF-equipped cars come if it has been shut off part-way through a regeneration. The result could be contamination of the oil system with fuel, leading to the oil level rising gradually over time. This might cause damage to the engine, if it hasn’t already, so it’s worth getting the car checked out.
Is a used Skoda Rapid Spaceback hatchback reliable?
There wasn’t enough data to include the Rapid Spaceback in our latest What Car? Reliability Survey. However, Skoda as a brand did all right, coming 13th out of 32 other car manufacturers and beating the likes of Vauxhall and Nissan.
If you would like to see the full reliability list, head to the What Car? Reliability Survey pages for more information.
