Skoda Fabia common problems and MOT failures
What goes wrong on a used Skoda Fabia, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 692,908 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.
The 2024 Skoda Fabia
Cars registered in 2024 haven’t had their first MOT yet (it’s due at 3 years old), so there are no MOT results to show. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Skoda Fabia as a whole.
What to check on a 2024 car
- Warranty left
Ask for the date it was first registered and check how much of the maker’s warranty is left, and that it transfers to you. Electric and hybrid batteries usually have a longer, separate warranty.
- Servicing
Servicing on time with the maker’s schedule keeps the warranty valid. Ask for the service book or the dealer’s digital record.
- Finance
Nearly new cars are often still on finance. A history check shows outstanding finance, and whether it has been written off or stolen.
- Recalls
Ask whether any recall work has been done, and check the reg on GOV.UK’s free recall checker.
- Logbook (V5C)
The name and address should match the seller, and the VIN on the V5C should match the car.
Other years
Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).
202620252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000
Generation guides: Skoda Fabia Mk2 (2007–2014) · Skoda Fabia Mk3 (2015–2021)
What usually goes wrong with a Skoda Fabia?
Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.
- Cars registered 2007–2014 · Diesel and 1.4 petrol
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.
At the viewing: Look for the cambelt receipt.
If it needs doing: Timing belt (cambelt) change, about £300–£700 (often with the water pump). ClickMechanic
- Cars registered 2015–2021
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.
At the viewing: 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
- Cars registered 2009–2014 · 1.2 TSI petrol (older engine)
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.
At the viewing: 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.
- Cars registered 2007–2014 · Small turbo petrols
Oil use on smaller turbo petrols
Some small, higher-powered petrols use up to a litre of oil every 1,000 miles.
At the viewing: Check the dipstick.
- Cars registered in 2018
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.
At the viewing: Check the VIN on Skoda's recall checker.
- Cars registered 2007–2014 · All engines
Loose trim and squeaks
Window switches can come loose, and the dashboard top can rattle.
At the viewing: Try every window switch and listen over bumps.
- Cars registered 2015–2021
Brake fluid changes
Brake fluid should be changed after three years and then every two years. It's cheap but often skipped.
At the viewing: Look for brake fluid changes in the service history.
Common Skoda Fabia MOT failures to check
Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.
Suspension arm bushes and joints
up to 5.1× usualStands out on cars registered in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.
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 performance
up to 3.1× usualStands out on cars registered in 2006, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.
Rough price £100–£350 our estimateAt the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.
Drive shaft (CV) joints
up to 2.6× usualStands out on cars registered in 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2012.
Rough price £60–£350 our estimateAt the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.
Individual direction indicators
up to 2.4× usualStands out on cars registered in 2000, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.
Rough price £10–£80 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.
Headlights
up to 2.3× usualStands out on cars registered in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006.
Rough price £40–£400 our estimateAt the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.
Suspension arm
up to 2.6× usualStands out on cars registered in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2007.
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.
Skoda Fabia MOT pass rate by year
Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2013 Skoda Fabia did best (72% passed first time, 5 points above all 2013 cars) and the 2008 did worst (53%, 4 points below all 2008 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.
| Year | Pass first time | All cars that year | MOT tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 95% | 92% +3 | 371 (small sample) |
| 2022 | 91% | 89% +2 | 7,373 |
| 2021 | 86% | 87% -1 | 17,138 |
| 2020 | 86% | 87% -1 | 28,057 |
| 2019 | 85% | 85% +0 | 43,495 |
| 2018 | 81% | 83% -2 | 49,672 |
| 2017 | 79% | 80% -1 | 53,824 |
| 2016 | 77% | 77% +0 | 57,587 |
| 2015 | 77% | 74% +3 | 53,065 |
| 2014 | 74% | 70% +4 | 43,913 |
| 2013 | 72% | 67% +5 | 55,699 |
| 2012 | 69% | 64% +5 | 41,542 |
| 2011 | 66% | 62% +4 | 35,812 |
| 2010 | 63% | 60% +3 | 32,778 |
| 2009 | 57% | 59% -2 | 40,746 |
| 2008 | 53% | 57% -4 | 31,953 |
| 2007 | 54% | 57% -3 | 26,762 |
| 2006 | 53% | 56% -3 | 22,425 |
| 2005 | 53% | 57% -4 | 18,278 |
| 2004 | 52% | 57% -5 | 13,122 |
| 2003 | 51% | 57% -6 | 8,572 |
| 2002 | 54% | 58% -4 | 5,645 |
| 2001 | 54% | 60% -6 | 4,113 |
| 2000 | 56% | 61% -5 | 966 |
Questions to ask the seller before buying a Skoda Fabia
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- When was the cambelt changed?
- Has the cambelt been changed, and is there an invoice?
- Has the timing chain been changed, and is there an invoice? Does it rattle when you start it from cold?
- Does it need oil topping up?
- Has the airbag recall been done?
- Any rattles or loose trim?
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.
Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score