2004 Skoda Fabia petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2004 Skoda Fabia petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2004 Skoda Fabia petrol than on all cars registered in 2004.

• Headlights1.8× usual
  Skoda Fabia

  24% All 2004 cars

  13.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.1%, against 4.9% of all 2004 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.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.3× usual
  Skoda Fabia

  15% All 2004 cars

  6.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7%, against 3% of all 2004 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.

• Number plates1.6× usual
  Skoda Fabia

  10.1% All 2004 cars

  6.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.7% of all 2004 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.

• Link ball joint covers2.4× usual
  Skoda Fabia

  6.5% All 2004 cars

  2.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 1.5% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Flexible brake hoses1.6× usual
  Skoda Fabia

  9.2% All 2004 cars

  5.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 1.2% of all 2004 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 2004 Skoda Fabia petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2004 Skoda Fabia petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  47% 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
  45% 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
  19% 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 an engine warning light.

• Driveshafts and joints
  15% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2004 Skoda Fabia petrol

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 1.8× as often on the 2004 Skoda Fabia petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2004 Skoda Fabia petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the number plates? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2004 Skoda Fabia petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?