SKODA FABIA Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 16,148 MOT tests from 1,250 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every SKODA FABIA has the same fault.

SKODA FABIA's have a slightly over average reliability rating of 551/999. The score was calculated from the average of every SKODA FABIA that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the SKODA FABIA.

SKODA FABIA (example)

Check a Skoda Fabia before you buy

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
N/A	N/A	837/999Excellent	98,369 miles	3,998 vehicles
N/A	N/A	771/999Very good	83,584 miles	12,646 vehicles
N/A	N/A	732/999Very good	97,375 miles	12,638 vehicles
N/A	N/A	712/999Very good	97,582 miles	11,462 vehicles
N/A	N/A	671/999Good	83,905 miles	731 vehicles
N/A	N/A	647/999Good	84,433 miles	7,826 vehicles
N/A	N/A	641/999Good	82,393 miles	1,320 vehicles
N/A	N/A	553/999Above average	82,584 miles	3,715 vehicles
N/A	N/A	543/999Above average	96,680 miles	5,227 vehicles
N/A	N/A	538/999Above average	78,939 miles	3,459 vehicles
N/A	N/A	505/999Above average	97,481 miles	6,080 vehicles
N/A	N/A	475/999Average	85,755 miles	2,966 vehicles
N/A	N/A	462/999Average	80,374 miles	6,210 vehicles
N/A	N/A	453/999Average	83,446 miles	7,822 vehicles
N/A	N/A	451/999Average	87,702 miles	3,126 vehicles
N/A	N/A	440/999Average	86,104 miles	7,355 vehicles
N/A	N/A	402/999Average	82,825 miles	2,345 vehicles
N/A	N/A	398/999Fair	83,384 miles	3,296 vehicles
N/A	N/A	391/999Fair	82,231 miles	3,413 vehicles
N/A	N/A	389/999Fair	85,736 miles	3,528 vehicles

How reliable is the SKODA FABIA?

Based on 16,148 MOT tests from 1,250 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

1,250

MOT tests

16,148

Pass rate

78.3%

Median mileage

82,375 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every SKODA FABIA has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 652 out of 999.

Common SKODA FABIA MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 2,982 advisory comments and 155 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Suspension arm issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 480 advisory comments and 59 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a worn, corroded, or damaged suspension arm or its pin.

What to inspect

Look for play or corrosion at the arm and ask whether it has been replaced.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT SUSPENSION ARM PIN OR BUSH WORN BUT NOT RESULTING IN EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT (5.3.4 (A) (I))

Shock absorber issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 502 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record shock absorbers or dampers that were leaking, misting, or insecure. A light misting of oil on a damper is not an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT SHOCK ABSORBERS HAS LIGHT MISTING OF OIL (5.3.2 (B))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 368 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 350 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 217 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.

What to inspect

Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE EFFICIENCY BELOW REQUIREMENTS (1.4.2 (A) (I))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 202 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 116 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT POSITION LAMP NOT WORKING (4.2.1 (A) (II))

SKODA FABIA MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2026	18	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2025	14	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2024	17	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2023	20	22	90.9%	Tyre wear
2022	26	52	86.5%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2021	16	58	87.9%	Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
2020	31	141	85.1%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2019	58	332	84.3%	Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
2018	63	434	83.6%	Shock absorber issues, Tyre wear
2017	75	619	84.8%	Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
2016	102	979	81.5%	Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
2015	88	945	81.4%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2014	81	997	79.7%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2013	102	1380	79.1%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2012	83	1238	78.8%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2011	73	1171	78.3%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2010	70	1202	78.3%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2009	69	1251	77.2%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2008	47	946	75.7%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2007	50	1089	73.6%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2006	37	843	75.9%	Tyre wear, Headlamp faults
2005	35	860	73.8%	Tyre wear, Oil leak
2004	31	744	73.9%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2003	8	187	71.1%	Exhaust, Tyre wear
2002	5	118	82.2%	Suspension arm issues, Tyre wear
2001	5	135	76.3%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues

What to check when buying a used SKODA FABIA

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Suspension arm issues. Look for play or corrosion at the arm and ask whether it has been replaced.
Shock absorber issues. Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Buying a SKODA FABIA?

Common problems tell you what can affect SKODA FABIAs generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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