Used car guide · 2007–2014

Skoda Fabia Mk2: best and worst years, and what goes wrong

How each year of the Skoda Fabia Mk2 did at the MOTs done during 2023–2025, compared with other cars the same age, the weak spots that keep coming up, and what to check before you buy one. From 309,202 MOT tests.

2012best year: 69% pass first time, 5 points above all 2012 cars
2008weakest year: 53% pass first time, 4 points below all 2008 cars
Individual direction indicatorsthe weak spot that shows up in 5 different years

Which Skoda Fabia Mk2 years are best and worst at their MOT?

First-time MOT pass rate for each year of the Skoda Fabia Mk2, against all cars registered the same year. Older cars fail more, so the comparison with cars the same age is what matters.

40%70%100%2007: 54% pass first time (all 2007 cars: 57%) 54% 2007*2008: 53% pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%) 53% 20082009: 57% pass first time (all 2009 cars: 59%) 57% 20092010: 63% pass first time (all 2010 cars: 60%) 63% 20102011: 66% pass first time (all 2011 cars: 62%) 66% 20112012: 69% pass first time (all 2012 cars: 64%) 69% 20122013: 72% pass first time (all 2013 cars: 67%) 72% 20132014: 74% pass first time (all 2014 cars: 70%) 74% 2014
This model, first-time pass rate All cars registered that year · * changeover year: some cars are the previous or next generation
YearPass first timeAll cars that yearStands outMOT tests
2007*54%57% -3Drive shaft (CV) joints 2.6× usual26,762
200853%57% -4Drive shaft (CV) joints 2× usual31,953
200957%59% -2Individual direction indicators 1.9× usual40,746
201063%60% +3Drive shaft (CV) joints 1.6× usual32,775
201166%62% +4Suspension arm bushes and joints 1.7× usual35,812
201269%64% +5Suspension arm bushes and joints 1.6× usual41,542
201372%67% +5Suspension arm bushes and joints 1.8× usual55,699
201474%70% +4Suspension arm bushes and joints 2× usual43,913

Common Skoda Fabia Mk2 MOT failures, year after year

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.

  • Individual direction indicatorsup to 2.3× usual

    Stands out in 5 years: 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008.

    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.

  • Steering rack inner jointsup to 3.7× usual

    Stands out in 4 years: 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Brakes pulling to one sideup to 2.2× usual

    Stands out in 4 years: 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008.

    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 arm bushes and jointsup to 2× usual

    Stands out in 4 years: 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011.

    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.

  • Braking performanceup to 2.1× usual

    Stands out in 3 years: 2014, 2013, 2012.

    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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) jointsup to 2× usual

    Stands out in 3 years: 2012, 2010, 2008.

    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.

What usually goes wrong with the Skoda Fabia Mk2?

From owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Not every car will have them.

  • Cambelt and water pump

    All diesels and the 1.4 petrol use a cambelt, due every five years or 100,000 miles, with the water pump at the same time.

    Check: Look for the cambelt receipt.

    If it needs doing: Timing belt (cambelt) change, about £300–£700 (often with the water pump). ClickMechanic

    Source: Carbuyer: used Skoda Fabia Mk2 buying guide

  • Oil use on smaller turbo petrols

    Some small, higher-powered petrols use up to a litre of oil every 1,000 miles.

    Check: Check the dipstick.

    Source: Carbuyer: used Skoda Fabia Mk2 buying guide

  • Loose trim and squeaks

    Window switches can come loose, and the dashboard top can rattle.

    Check: Try every window switch and listen over bumps.

    Source: Carbuyer: used Skoda Fabia Mk2 buying guide

  • Timing chain wear (1.2 TSI petrol)

    The older 1.2 TSI petrol uses a timing chain that can stretch. It starts as a rattle, especially when the engine first starts, and if it’s left the chain can fail and destroy the engine. Some garages advise changing it as often as every four years or 40,000 miles.

    Check: Start the engine from cold and listen for a rattle in the first few seconds. Ask whether the chain has been changed, with an invoice.

    Source: Parkers: Volkswagen Polo (2009-2017) used review

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, 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

Looking at a Skoda Fabia?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots, and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.