Skip to main content
Check
Skoda

Skoda Fabia reliability by build year

Coverage 2000-present4 named generationssuperminiHatchbackDIESEL / PETROL
At a glance

Skoda Fabia built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Skoda Fabias built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Check a Skoda Fabia by number plate

Key figure

19% of MOT tests on Skoda Fabias built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 16% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Skoda Fabias built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Skoda Fabia's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Shock absorbers

Worth checking

Bounce-test each corner; check for oily streaks down the strut bodies.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Fabia's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Fabia Mk4 (PJ)

Mk4 (PJ) (2021-present)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROL

12.5% fail rate, built around 2021 (4 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 9 MOTs, 11.4%)

From 6,261 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Fabia Mk3 (NJ)

Mk3 (NJ) (2014-2020)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROLDIESEL

18.8% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 21,162 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Fabia Mk2 (5J)

Mk2 (5J) (2007-2013)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROLDIESEL

24.3% fail rate, built around 2013 (12 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 26.3%)

From 6,831 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Fabia Mk1 (6Y)

Mk1 (6Y) (2000-2006)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROLDIESEL

33.6% fail rate, built around 2004 (21 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.1%)

From 4,213 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Skoda Fabia.

See every build year for the Skoda Fabia

Side-by-side

Skoda Fabia generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Mk4 (PJ) (2021-present)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings12.5%built around 2021 (4 years old)from 6,261 MOT tests at this age
Mk3 (NJ) (2014-2020)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings18.8%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 21,162 MOT tests at this age
Mk2 (5J) (2007-2013)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings24.3%built around 2013 (12 years old)from 6,831 MOT tests at this age
Mk1 (6Y) (2000-2006)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings33.6%built around 2004 (21 years old)from 4,213 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the Fabia, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Skoda Fabia fail rate by age

This chart combines every Skoda Fabia ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
8,92610.4%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
10,72212.5%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
12,68313.9%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
18,70215.9%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
21,16218.8%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
22,84719.5%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
23,81120.1%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
20,18320.7%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
20,71122.5%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
20,96523.4%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
17,01425.6%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
14,66626.9%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
16,71630.2%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
14,39231.9%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
13,44233.1%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
9,99932.5%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
8,15433.1%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
6,15633.0%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
4,21333.6%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
2,60233.6%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
1,72631.4%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
96233.6%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
13229.5%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 22 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Skoda Fabia stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other Skoda models

8th of 8

Among the highest fail rates of the 8 Skoda models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the highest third

Against other hatchbacks

61st of 84

61st lowest fail rate of 84 hatchbacks with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

Close to the middle third

Against the UK average

18.8%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Skoda Fabias

These issues come from 7-year-old Skoda Fabias, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    17.3%
    Advisory: 5,188Fail: 433 (8% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Shock absorber has a light misting of oil

    17.2%
    Advisory: 4,598Fail: 489 (10% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    15.6%
    Advisory: 3,652Fail: 1,352 (27% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    14.5%
    Advisory: 4,305Fail: 535 (11% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    12.7%
    Advisory: 3,899Fail: 52 (1% of the times it was found)

Based on 21,162 MOT tests on 7-year-old Skoda Fabias, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Skoda Fabias notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Suspension + Tyres39%
  2. Brakes + Suspension31%
  3. Brakes + Tyres31%
  4. Other + Tyres13%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 7,074 MOT tests on Skoda Fabia cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

95%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · About typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

13 recalls in all

11 of the 13 Skoda Fabia recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 2 Critical
  • 9 more

Top concerns

  • Replacing Takata driver airbag
  • Takata drivers side front airbag
  • Passenger airbag

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Suzuki SX4

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.5%

    Lower fail rate: 13.5%, against 18.8% for the Skoda Fabia, both built around 2018.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    3,314 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Mini

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.6%

    Lower fail rate: 12.3%, against 18.8% for the Skoda Fabia, both built around 2018.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate, share still registered and recalls only.

    50,561 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Lexus CT

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.1%
    Dangerous
    4.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    88.2%

    Lower fail rate: 10.5%, against 18.8% for the Skoda Fabia, both built around 2018.

    3,255 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Toyota Prius

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    11.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.9%
    Dangerous
    3.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94.4%

    Lower fail rate: 11.1%, against 18.8% for the Skoda Fabia, both built around 2018.

    5 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    17,367 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Skoda Fabia across all generations combined fails MOTs slightly more often than typical for this age. It has among the highest fail rates of the 8 Skoda models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 21,162 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Skoda Fabia ever sold: 290,886 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 21,162 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.