Skoda Fabia: what fails at MOT
296,000 MOT tests on the Skoda Fabia in 2024, counted. 28.8% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
28.8% of Skoda Fabia tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 27.5%, so the Fabia is about average for its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (7.4% of tests), suspension (6.8% of tests) and brakes (5.8% of tests). It fails on body and structure more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 13,822 | 13.2% | 10.9% | 19,600 12,900 to 28,000 |
| 2020 | 14,872 | 13.9% | 11.5% | 25,100 17,600 to 33,900 |
| 2019 | 19,250 | 14.9% | 13.4% | 30,000 21,300 to 40,400 |
| 2018 | 21,869 | 19.4% | 15.6% | 37,600 26,900 to 50,000 |
| 2017 | 22,800 | 21.8% | 18.2% | 45,700 32,100 to 60,600 |
| 2016 | 23,890 | 23.4% | 21.3% | 52,300 37,500 to 69,100 |
| 2015 | 21,799 | 23.0% | 24.4% | 55,800 39,700 to 74,700 |
| 2014 | 18,243 | 26.1% | 27.7% | 63,800 44,300 to 85,900 |
| 2013 | 23,714 | 28.1% | 30.6% | 71,300 50,500 to 94,400 |
| 2012 | 16,775 | 31.6% | 33.4% | 81,900 58,600 to 106,400 |
| 2011 | 14,474 | 33.7% | 36.1% | 86,400 63,800 to 110,500 |
| 2010 | 13,870 | 37.2% | 38.6% | 87,300 62,900 to 112,800 |
| 2009 | 17,437 | 43.8% | 39.8% | 85,800 60,800 to 113,000 |
| 2008 | 14,301 | 46.7% | 41.5% | 98,300 73,600 to 126,200 |
| 2007 | 12,739 | 44.7% | 41.5% | 102,700 75,900 to 132,300 |
| 2006 | 11,063 | 46.1% | 42.4% | 107,500 78,100 to 143,700 |
| 2005 | 8,973 | 43.9% | 42.2% | 111,000 79,900 to 147,000 |
| 2004 | 6,381 | 46.1% | 42.3% | 110,600 79,300 to 150,300 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Skoda Fabia tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Fabia | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 7.4% | 7.6% |
| Suspension | 6.8% | 6.2% |
| Brakes | 5.8% | 4.6% |
| Tyres | 4.7% | 4.3% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 3.3% | 3.1% |
| Body and structure More than most | 3.2% | 2.4% |
| Exhaust and emissions | 2.6% | 2.2% |
| Steering | 1.1% | 1.4% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre3.4%
- Suspension pins and bushes2.8%
- Headlamp aim2.2%
- Side light2.1%
- Wipers1.9%
- Footbrake1.9%
- Brake test1.7%
- Driveshaft joint1.6%
- Tyre tread1.6%
- Headlamp1.6%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.6%
- Side light: not working2.0%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.8%
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.5%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.5%
- Brake light: not working1.4%
- Brake test: efficiency below requirements1.4%
- Footbrake: excessively binding1.2%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.1%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken1.1%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge12.4%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing7.9%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened7.5%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement7.4%
- Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil4.1%
- Brake pads: wearing thin3.4%
- Footbrake: binding but not excessively2.6%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive2.5%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Is there any corrosion underneath or around the sills and arches?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a Skoda Fabia's own MOT record
Looking at a Fabia? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.