Used car guide

2012 Skoda Fabia: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Skoda Fabias, from 13,331 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

13,331MOT tests in 2025
68%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
6,500typical miles a year
1.7×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Skoda Fabias than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints1.7× usual
    Skoda Fabia
    17% All 2012 cars
    10.1%
    Rough price £100–£300

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

  • Braking performance1.8× usual
    Skoda Fabia
    8.6% All 2012 cars
    4.9%
    Rough price £100–£350

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints1.7× usual
    Skoda Fabia
    7.4% All 2012 cars
    4.4%
    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× usual
    Skoda Fabia
    6% All 2012 cars
    3%
    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.

  • Steering rack inner joints2.3× usual
    Skoda Fabia
    5.2% All 2012 cars
    2.3%
    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.

Better than most

Brake pads: 4.2% here, against 9.6% of all 2012 cars. Rigid brake pipes: 0.6% here, against 5.5% of all 2012 cars.

By area

The share of 2012 Skoda Fabia MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    33% 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.

  • Suspension
    33% 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.

  • Brakes
    27% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    23% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    9% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    7% 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%
201111,278Suspension 37%
201010,167Suspension 36%
200912,580Suspension 43%
20089,515Suspension 49%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2012 Skoda Fabias registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score