Used car guide

2020 Skoda Fabia: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2020 Skoda Fabias, from 8,799 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

8,799MOT tests in 2025
85%pass first time (all 2020 cars: 86%)
6,400typical miles a year
4.1×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2020 Skoda Fabias than on all cars registered in 2020.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints4.1× usual
    Skoda Fabia
    7.3% All 2020 cars
    1.8%
    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 performance3.9× usual
    Skoda Fabia
    3.5% All 2020 cars
    0.9%
    Rough price £100–£350

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

  • Shock absorbers2.2× usual
    Skoda Fabia
    4.3% All 2020 cars
    2%
    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.

By area

The share of 2020 Skoda Fabia MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    28% 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.

  • Brakes
    17% 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.

  • Suspension
    11% 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.

  • 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    5% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Seats and seatbelts
    2% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20216,704Tyres 24%
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%
20089,515Suspension 49%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2020 Skoda Fabias registered in 2020. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score