Skoda Fabia Mk3: best and worst years, and what goes wrong
How every year of the Skoda Fabia Mk3 did at its MOT in 2025 compared with other cars the same age, the weak spots that keep coming up, and what to check before you buy one. From 101,946 MOT tests.
Year by year
First-time MOT pass rate for each year of the Skoda Fabia Mk3, against all cars registered the same year. Older cars fail more, so the comparison with cars the same age is what matters.
| Year | Pass first time | All cars that year | Stands out | MOT tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 75% | 72% +3 | Shock absorbers 3.4× usual | 17,747 |
| 2016 | 75% | 75% +0 | Suspension arm bushes and joints 2.7× usual | 19,330 |
| 2017 | 76% | 78% -2 | Shock absorbers 4.5× usual | 18,007 |
| 2018 | 78% | 81% -3 | Shock absorbers 5.6× usual | 16,742 |
| 2019 | 83% | 84% -1 | Suspension arm bushes and joints 4.8× usual | 14,617 |
| 2020 | 85% | 86% -1 | Suspension arm bushes and joints 4.1× usual | 8,799 |
| 2021* | 85% | 87% -2 | Suspension arm bushes and joints 3.8× usual | 6,704 |
Weak spots across the Skoda Fabia Mk3
Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year of this generation. Repeat findings like these are much less likely to be chance.
- Shock absorbersup to 5.6× usual
Stands out in 6 years: 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015.
Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanicAt 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 jointsup to 4.8× usual
Stands out in 6 years: 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015.
Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.
- Braking performanceup to 3.9× usual
Stands out in 6 years: 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015.
Rough price £100–£350 our estimateAt the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.
Known faults
From owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Not every car will have them.
- Cambelt due every five years (petrol)
Petrol Fabias need a new cambelt every five years whatever the mileage; diesels at about 130,000 miles. A missed change risks serious engine damage.
Check: Look for a cambelt change in the service history if the car is over five years old.
If it needs doing: Timing belt (cambelt) change, about £300–£700 (often with the water pump). ClickMechanic
- Brake fluid changes
Brake fluid should be changed after three years and then every two years. It's cheap but often skipped.
Check: Look for brake fluid changes in the service history.
- Airbag recall (early 2018 builds)
A small number of cars built in January and February 2018 were recalled because the driver's airbag might inflate too slowly. The fix was a new steering wheel.
Check: Check the VIN on Skoda's recall checker.
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting each car's main test of the year (not retests). A weak spot needs at least 30 cars flagged and must stay 1.5× the usual rate even at the cautious end of a 95% confidence range. Generation years are approximate: cars registered in a changeover year (*) can be either generation. How we score
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