2005 Skoda Fabia — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 48,717 MOT tests analysed for the 2005 Skoda Fabia, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 70.8% was in line with the average for superminis of a similar age (71.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 29.4% in the 150k+ group versus 15.4% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.9% | 9,215 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.4% | 6,521 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.5% | 6,069 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.8% | 3,808 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.3% | 3,078 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.8% | 2,819 |
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 | 4,949 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 4,462 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 2,693 |
| 4 | Joints | 2,573 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 2,197 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 2,136 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 29.9% | 14,548 |
| 2 | Suspension | 28.5% | 13,867 |
| 3 | Brakes | 26.0% | 12,649 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 21.6% | 10,538 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.5% | 8,047 |
| 6 | Other defects | 16.0% | 7,797 |
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 | 722 | 15.4% |
| 30-60k | 6,019 | 23.1% |
| 60-90k | 11,692 | 28.6% |
| 90-120k | 12,694 | 31.0% |
| 120-150k | 9,174 | 32.0% |
| 150k+ | 8,391 | 29.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 29,787 | 29.6% |
| Diesel | 18,930 | 28.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 12,817 | 29.2% |
| 2022 | 11,294 | 29.0% |
| 2023 | 9,765 | 29.4% |
| 2024 | 8,149 | 29.1% |
| 2025 | 6,692 | 29.1% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Fabia
Before buying a 2005 Skoda Fabia, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 18.9% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (18.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.4% 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 (12.5% 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 2005 Skoda Fabias pass their MOT?
70.8% of the 48,717 2005 Skoda Fabia MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Skoda Fabia?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.9% of tests, followed by suspension (13.4%).
Does the 2005 Fabia get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.4% in the 0-30k band to 29.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 48,717 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.