Used car guide

2002 Skoda Fabia: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2002 Skoda Fabias, from 1,397 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,397MOT tests in 2025
56%pass first time (all 2002 cars: 60%)
4,100typical miles a year
1.9×the usual rate for headlights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2002 Skoda Fabias than on all cars registered in 2002.

  • Headlights1.9× usual
    Skoda Fabia
    20% All 2002 cars
    10.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6%, against 4% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

  • Number plates1.8× usual
    Skoda Fabia
    13.5% All 2002 cars
    7.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.7% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

  • Suspension arm2.3× usual
    Skoda Fabia
    8.4% All 2002 cars
    3.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.3% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Link ball joint covers3× usual
    Skoda Fabia
    5.9% All 2002 cars
    2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 1.1% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints2× usual
    Skoda Fabia
    5.9% All 2002 cars
    3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 1% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 1.6% here, against 17.7% of all 2002 cars. Sub-frame: 2.4% here, against 5.3% of all 2002 cars.

By area

The share of 2002 Skoda Fabia MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    49% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    40% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    36% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Brakes
    33% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    21% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    15% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Looking at a Skoda Fabia?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20227,157Tyres 24%
20218,605Tyres 24%
20209,410Tyres 27%
201914,617Tyres 28%
201816,742Tyres 31%
201718,008Tyres 31%
201619,330Tyres 32%
201517,747Suspension 33%
201414,493Tyres 32%
201318,318Tyres 33%
201213,335Suspension 33%
201111,288Suspension 37%
201010,170Suspension 36%
200912,584Suspension 43%
20089,516Suspension 49%
20077,844Suspension 48%
20066,289Suspension 46%
20055,040Suspension 47%
20043,503Suspension 50%
20032,230Suspension 50%
20011,039Suspension 53%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2002 Skoda Fabias registered in 2002. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score