2016 Skoda Fabia petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2016 Skoda Fabia petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2016 Skoda Fabia petrol than on all cars registered in 2016.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints3× usual
  Skoda Fabia

  14.9% All 2016 cars

  4.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.9%, against 0.9% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

• Shock absorbers3.3× usual
  Skoda Fabia

  12.1% All 2016 cars

  3.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.8% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

• Braking performance1.7× usual
  Skoda Fabia

  3.9% All 2016 cars

  2.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.8% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

Common 2016 Skoda Fabia petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2016 Skoda Fabia petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  31% 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.

• Suspension
  27% 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.

• Brakes
  24% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  7% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  6% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Exhaust and emissions
  3% 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.

Known faults on the 2016 Skoda Fabia petrol

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• 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

  Source: Auto Express: used Skoda Fabia Mk3 buyer's guide

• 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.

  Source: Auto Express: used Skoda Fabia Mk3 buyer's guide

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2016 Skoda Fabia petrol

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Has the cambelt been changed, and is there an invoice?
2. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the 2016 Skoda Fabia petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 3.3× as often on the 2016 Skoda Fabia petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2016 Skoda Fabia petrol as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?