2006 Skoda Fabia: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2006 Skoda Fabia?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2006 Skoda Fabia than on all cars registered in 2006.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.4× usual
  Skoda Fabia

  17.4% All 2006 cars

  7.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.6%, against 3.3% of all 2006 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.

• Headlights1.7× usual
  Skoda Fabia

  21.8% All 2006 cars

  13.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.2%, against 5% of all 2006 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.

• Braking performance1.6× usual
  Skoda Fabia

  11% All 2006 cars

  6.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 2.8% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

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

• Suspension arm2.1× usual
  Skoda Fabia

  6.4% All 2006 cars

  3.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.3% of all 2006 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.

• Individual direction indicators1.8× usual
  Skoda Fabia

  6.8% All 2006 cars

  3.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 1.7% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Petrol or diesel: does it make a difference?

The same figures for each fuel on its own. Check which one the car you're looking at is: it's on the logbook and in its MOT history.

Common 2006 Skoda Fabia MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2006 Skoda Fabia MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Lights and electrics
  44% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Suspension
  44% 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
  35% 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.

• Tyres
  35% 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.

• Driveshafts and joints
  17% of testsRough price £60–£350

  At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

• Exhaust and emissions
  14% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2006 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 drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2006 Skoda Fabia as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2006 Skoda Fabia as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2006 Skoda Fabia as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?