2002 Skoda Fabia — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 16,886 MOT tests analysed for the 2002 Skoda Fabia, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 71.6% was above the average for superminis of a similar age (70.5%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 32.6% in the 150k+ group versus 14.4% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.1% | 3,060 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.2% | 2,397 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.0% | 1,853 |
| 4 | Visibility | 7.7% | 1,306 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.3% | 1,062 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.2% | 1,054 |
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 | 1,727 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 1,460 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 844 |
| 4 | Wipers | 811 |
| 5 | Washers | 769 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 760 |
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 | 32.9% | 5,547 |
| 2 | Tyres | 30.9% | 5,220 |
| 3 | Brakes | 26.3% | 4,433 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 19.6% | 3,309 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 18.6% | 3,138 |
| 6 | Other defects | 17.2% | 2,900 |
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 | 382 | 14.4% |
| 30-60k | 2,762 | 23.5% |
| 60-90k | 4,434 | 26.6% |
| 90-120k | 3,844 | 30.0% |
| 120-150k | 2,524 | 31.8% |
| 150k+ | 2,910 | 32.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 10,982 | 27.7% |
| Diesel | 5,904 | 29.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,314 | 28.7% |
| 2022 | 4,054 | 28.3% |
| 2023 | 3,241 | 28.3% |
| 2024 | 2,463 | 29.0% |
| 2025 | 1,814 | 27.1% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Fabia
Before buying a 2002 Skoda Fabia, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 18.1% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (18.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.2% 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 (11.0% 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 2002 Skoda Fabias pass their MOT?
71.6% of the 16,886 2002 Skoda Fabia MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Skoda Fabia?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.1% of tests, followed by suspension (14.2%).
Does the 2002 Fabia get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.4% in the 0-30k band to 32.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 16,886 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.