Used car guide

2018 Skoda Fabia: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2018 Skoda Fabias, from 16,742 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

16,742MOT tests in 2025
78%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 81%)
6,300typical miles a year
5.6×the usual rate for shock absorbers

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2018 Skoda Fabias than on all cars registered in 2018.

  • Shock absorbers5.6× usual
    Skoda Fabia
    16.3% All 2018 cars
    2.9%
    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.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints4.7× usual
    Skoda Fabia
    15.2% All 2018 cars
    3.2%
    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 performance2.3× usual
    Skoda Fabia
    3.2% All 2018 cars
    1.4%
    Rough price £100–£350

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

  • Number plates1.7× usual
    Skoda Fabia
    2.9% All 2018 cars
    1.7%
    Rough price £5–£40

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

By area

The share of 2018 Skoda Fabia MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    31% 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
    22% 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
    8% 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
    6% 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
    2% 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%
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%
20089,515Suspension 49%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2018 Skoda Fabias registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score