2005 Skoda Fabia petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2005 Skoda Fabia petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2005 Skoda Fabia petrol than on all cars registered in 2005.

• Headlights1.8× usual
  Skoda Fabia

  23.5% All 2005 cars

  13.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.9%, against 5% of all 2005 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) joints1.7× usual
  Skoda Fabia

  12.3% All 2005 cars

  7.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.7%, against 3.3% of all 2005 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.

• Track rod ends1.7× usual
  Skoda Fabia

  10.3% All 2005 cars

  5.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.3%, against 2.7% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

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

• Number plates1.7× usual
  Skoda Fabia

  10.6% All 2005 cars

  6.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.6% of all 2005 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.

• Individual direction indicators2.1× usual
  Skoda Fabia

  7.7% All 2005 cars

  3.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 1.6% of all 2005 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.

Common 2005 Skoda Fabia petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2005 Skoda Fabia petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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
  18% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  14% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2005 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 2005 Skoda Fabia petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2005 Skoda Fabia petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2005 Skoda Fabia petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?