Used car guide

2013 Skoda Fabia: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2013 Skoda Fabias, from 18,313 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

18,313MOT tests in 2025
70%pass first time (all 2013 cars: 66%)
6,300typical miles a year
1.7×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2013 Skoda Fabias than on all cars registered in 2013.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints1.7× usual
    Skoda Fabia
    15.2% All 2013 cars
    8.7%
    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.

  • Steering rack inner joints3.3× usual
    Skoda Fabia
    7.3% All 2013 cars
    2.2%
    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.

  • Braking performance1.8× usual
    Skoda Fabia
    8% All 2013 cars
    4.4%
    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
    5.6% All 2013 cars
    3.3%
    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.

  • Brakes pulling to one side2.2× usual
    Skoda Fabia
    2% All 2013 cars
    0.9%
    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

Brake pads: 4.7% here, against 9.8% of all 2013 cars. Rigid brake pipes: 0.4% here, against 4.7% of all 2013 cars.

By area

The share of 2013 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
    28% 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
    25% 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
    18% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Steering
    9% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    7% 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.

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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%
201213,331Tyres 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 2013 Skoda Fabias registered in 2013. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score