2001 Skoda Fabia — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 12,263 MOT tests analysed for the 2001 Skoda Fabia, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 71.0% was in line with the average for superminis of a similar age (70.5%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 32.7% in the 150k+ group versus 17.9% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.6% | 2,155 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.1% | 1,856 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.6% | 1,427 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.9% | 846 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.3% | 778 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.1% | 749 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 1,196 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 1,017 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 680 |
| 4 | Wipers | 599 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 561 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 544 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 36.7% | 4,499 |
| 2 | Tyres | 30.6% | 3,756 |
| 3 | Brakes | 24.4% | 2,993 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 20.0% | 2,449 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 18.6% | 2,284 |
| 6 | Other defects | 17.9% | 2,198 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 268 | 17.9% |
| 30-60k | 2,015 | 22.9% |
| 60-90k | 3,431 | 28.3% |
| 90-120k | 2,811 | 30.6% |
| 120-150k | 1,750 | 31.9% |
| 150k+ | 1,982 | 32.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 7,897 | 28.2% |
| Diesel | 4,366 | 30.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,871 | 30.1% |
| 2022 | 2,906 | 28.3% |
| 2023 | 2,325 | 28.8% |
| 2024 | 1,785 | 27.8% |
| 2025 | 1,376 | 28.8% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Fabia
Before buying a 2001 Skoda Fabia, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 17.6% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (17.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.1% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (11.6% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2001 Skoda Fabias pass their MOT?
71.0% of the 12,263 2001 Skoda Fabia MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Skoda Fabia?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.6% of tests, followed by suspension (15.1%).
Does the 2001 Fabia get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.9% in the 0-30k band to 32.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 12,263 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.