2004 Skoda Fabia — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 36,271 MOT tests analysed for the 2004 Skoda Fabia, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 70.1% was in line with the average for superminis of a similar age (70.8%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 29.8% in the 150k+ group versus 18.0% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.7% | 6,790 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.0% | 5,065 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.3% | 4,457 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.3% | 2,991 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.6% | 2,387 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.5% | 2,365 |
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 | 3,672 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 3,234 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 1,867 |
| 4 | Joints | 1,859 |
| 5 | Wipers | 1,604 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 1,521 |
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 | 31.0% | 11,259 |
| 2 | Tyres | 30.0% | 10,874 |
| 3 | Brakes | 27.3% | 9,902 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 20.7% | 7,507 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.9% | 6,497 |
| 6 | Other defects | 17.2% | 6,240 |
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 | 516 | 18.0% |
| 30-60k | 4,320 | 24.3% |
| 60-90k | 8,751 | 29.6% |
| 90-120k | 9,231 | 32.3% |
| 120-150k | 6,321 | 31.4% |
| 150k+ | 7,112 | 29.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 21,629 | 30.7% |
| Diesel | 14,642 | 28.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 10,096 | 30.5% |
| 2022 | 8,522 | 29.6% |
| 2023 | 7,182 | 29.7% |
| 2024 | 5,822 | 29.6% |
| 2025 | 4,649 | 29.7% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Fabia
Before buying a 2004 Skoda Fabia, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 18.7% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (18.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.0% 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 (12.3% 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 2004 Skoda Fabias pass their MOT?
70.1% of the 36,271 2004 Skoda Fabia MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Skoda Fabia?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.7% of tests, followed by suspension (14.0%).
Does the 2004 Fabia get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.0% in the 0-30k band to 29.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 36,271 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.