Used car guide

2008 Skoda Fabia: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Skoda Fabias, from 9,515 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

9,515MOT tests in 2025
52%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
5,800typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Skoda Fabias than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2× usual
    Skoda Fabia
    14.3% All 2008 cars
    7.2%
    Rough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Individual direction indicators2.2× usual
    Skoda Fabia
    6.9% All 2008 cars
    3.1%
    Rough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Track rod end1.6× usual
    Skoda Fabia
    9% All 2008 cars
    5.5%
    Rough price £80–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Link ball joint covers1.9× usual
    Skoda Fabia
    6.8% All 2008 cars
    3.5%
    Rough price £80–£200

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

  • Brakes pulling to one side2.4× usual
    Skoda Fabia
    3.6% All 2008 cars
    1.5%
    Rough 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.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 0.7% here, against 9.6% of all 2008 cars. Headlamp: 3.6% here, against 10.7% of all 2008 cars.

By area

The share of 2008 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.

  • Tyres
    35% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    34% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Brakes
    32% 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.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    14% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    14% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20216,704Tyres 24%
20208,799Tyres 28%
201914,617Tyres 28%
201816,742Tyres 31%
201718,007Suspension 31%
201619,330Tyres 32%
201517,747Suspension 33%
201414,489Tyres 32%
201318,313Tyres 33%
201213,331Tyres 33%
201111,278Suspension 37%
201010,167Suspension 36%
200912,580Suspension 43%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Skoda Fabias registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score