2018 Skoda Fabia diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2018 Skoda Fabia diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2018 Skoda Fabia diesel than on all cars registered in 2018.

• Shock absorbers6.7× usual
  Skoda Fabia

  15.5% All 2018 cars

  2.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.4% of all 2018 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.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints5.3× usual
  Skoda Fabia

  12.2% All 2018 cars

  2.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6%, against 0.4% of all 2018 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.

• Brake discs1.9× usual
  Skoda Fabia

  18.4% All 2018 cars

  9.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 0.5% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

Common 2018 Skoda Fabia diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2018 Skoda Fabia diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  29% 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
  22% 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
  9% 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
  8% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Oil and fluid leaks
  3% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Known faults on the 2018 Skoda Fabia diesel

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.

• 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.

  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 2018 Skoda Fabia diesel

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

1. Has the airbag recall been done?
2. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 6.7× as often on the 2018 Skoda Fabia diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 5.3× as often on the 2018 Skoda Fabia diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the brake discs? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2018 Skoda Fabia diesel as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?