Used car guide

2016 Skoda Fabia: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2016 Skoda Fabias, from 19,330 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

19,330MOT tests in 2025
75%pass first time (all 2016 cars: 75%)
6,500typical miles a year
2.7×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2016 Skoda Fabias than on all cars registered in 2016.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.7× usual
    Skoda Fabia
    16.3% All 2016 cars
    6.1%
    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.

  • Shock absorbers3.2× usual
    Skoda Fabia
    13.8% All 2016 cars
    4.3%
    Rough price £150–£400

    At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

  • Brake discs1.5× usual
    Skoda Fabia
    18.9% All 2016 cars
    12.3%
    Rough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

  • Braking performance1.7× usual
    Skoda Fabia
    4.2% All 2016 cars
    2.5%
    Rough price £100–£350

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

Better than most

Coil springs: 1.6% here, against 4.1% of all 2016 cars.

By area

The share of 2016 Skoda Fabia MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    32% 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
    31% 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
    9% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    5% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Exhaust and emissions
    3% 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.

Looking at a Skoda Fabia?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20216,704Tyres 24%
20208,799Tyres 28%
201914,617Tyres 28%
201816,742Tyres 31%
201718,007Suspension 31%
201517,747Suspension 33%
201414,489Tyres 32%
201318,313Tyres 33%
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 2016 Skoda Fabias registered in 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score