Used car guide

2023 Skoda Fabia: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2023 Skoda Fabias, from 349 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 349 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

349MOT tests in 2025
95%pass first time (all 2023 cars: 92%)
7,100typical miles a year
15%had tyres flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2023 Skoda Fabia MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    15% 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
    4% 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
    3% 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
    2% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Looking at a Skoda Fabia?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20227,157Tyres 24%
20218,605Tyres 24%
20209,410Tyres 27%
201914,617Tyres 28%
201816,742Tyres 31%
201718,008Suspension 31%
201619,330Tyres 32%
201517,747Suspension 33%
201414,493Tyres 32%
201318,318Tyres 33%
201213,335Tyres 33%
201111,288Suspension 37%
201010,170Suspension 36%
200912,584Suspension 43%
20089,516Suspension 49%
20077,844Suspension 48%
20066,289Suspension 46%
20055,040Suspension 47%
20043,503Suspension 50%
20032,230Suspension 50%
20021,397Suspension 49%
20011,039Suspension 53%
2000239Suspension 48%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2023 Skoda Fabias registered in 2023. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score