2003 Skoda Fabia: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2003 Skoda Fabia?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2003 Skoda Fabia than on all cars registered in 2003.

• Headlights1.7× usual
  Skoda Fabia

  20.9% All 2003 cars

  12.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.6%, against 4.4% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

• Number plates1.8× usual
  Skoda Fabia

  13.4% All 2003 cars

  7.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.9%, against 0.7% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

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

• Drive shaft (CV) joints1.8× usual
  Skoda Fabia

  12% All 2003 cars

  6.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.5%, against 2.9% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

• Suspension arm2.3× usual
  Skoda Fabia

  8.3% All 2003 cars

  3.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.3% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Flexible brake hoses1.8× usual
  Skoda Fabia

  10.7% All 2003 cars

  6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 1.1% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.

Common 2003 Skoda Fabia MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2003 Skoda Fabia MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  50% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  42% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Tyres
  37% 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
  34% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  17% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  14% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2003 Skoda Fabia

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2003 Skoda Fabia as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the number plates? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2003 Skoda Fabia as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2003 Skoda Fabia as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?