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What to check: Skoda Fabia

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Ranked across all years of the Skoda Fabia, from its own MOT record and from what owners report. Tick it off at the car.

From this model's MOT record

The physical checks its own defect data says are worth your time, most telling first.

DampersRuns high on this modelLook for oil misting on the damper body behind each wheel, then push down hard on each corner of the car. It should settle in one bounce. A floaty or crashy ride on the test drive is the same fault felt from the driver's seat.Recorded on 18.9% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 2.3%

Bushes and ball jointsRuns high on this modelDrive slowly over broken tarmac with the windows down and listen for clonks from either end. Back at the car, have someone rock the steering wheel while you rest a hand on each front wheel; play you can feel through the tyre is a worn joint.Recorded on 16.1% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 5.9%

A binding brakeRuns high on this modelAfter the test drive, hold the back of your hand near each wheel hub. One wheel running much hotter than the rest is a sticking caliper. A car that slows itself down when you lift off on a flat road is saying the same thing.Recorded on 1.8% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 0.7%

WheelsRuns high on this modelLook at each rim for kerb damage and check no wheel nuts are missing. A steering wheel that shimmies between 50 and 60 on the test drive often turns out to be a buckled or badly balanced wheel.Recorded on 1.3% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 0.6%

ExhaustListen along the exhaust at cold idle for blowing or chuffing, and give the tailpipe a push to check nothing hangs loose. Small blows only get louder.Recorded on 0.8% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 0.6%

Coil springsLook through the wheel spokes at the bottom coil of each spring; when springs snap it is usually there, and the break is visible. Step back and check the car sits level too. A dropped corner is often a broken spring.Recorded on 0.8% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 1.3%

Worth doing on any used car

These judge the seller's upkeep rather than the model.

Tyres, all fourCheck the tread across the full width of each tyre, inner edge included, and look for cracking and mismatched brands. A set of decent tyres is £500 or more on most cars, which makes this the easiest money to take off a price. If the pressure warning light is on, budget for sensors too.Recorded on 22.2% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 20.1%

Pads and discsRuns high on this modelLook through the wheel spokes at the brake disc. A pronounced lip on its outer edge, or a rusty and scored face, means discs and pads are due all round, a few hundred pounds on most cars. A haggling point rather than a reason to walk away.Recorded on 19.3% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 10.1%

Windscreen and wipersScan the glass in daylight for chips, especially in the driver's line of sight where even a small one can fail the MOT. Run the washers and check the wipers clear without smearing.Recorded on 2.4% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 1.7%

Because of what owners report

Drawn from the owner reports rather than the MOT data. These are the model-specific ones.

Start the engine stone cold and listen underneath before moving off.A rattle that fades as oil pressure builds points to a worn timing chain or tensioner on the 1.2 TSI.

On a DSG automatic, pull away from a dead stop several times, including on a slight incline.Hesitation, a jolt, or a rev flare before the clutch bites means the dry-clutch DSG or mechatronic unit is wearing.

Drive over a speed bump or rough patch at low speed with the radio off.Knocks or creaks from the front or rear point to worn dampers, top mounts or bushes, the car's most commonly flagged fault.

Check the MOT history for repeated suspension advisories.The same advisory two or three years running means it's being driven on worn parts, not fixed.

Cycle every window up and down twice, including the rear ones.A window that stutters, drops on its own or stops mid-travel points to a failing regulator.

On a diesel, check for a rough idle or an EGR/emissions light, and ask how the car is normally driven.Town-only diesels are the ones most likely to have a clogged EGR valve.

Test every switch, warning light and the door hinges for stiff or frayed wiring, and check the service history for past electrical repairs.A stack of previous electrical fixes is a fair warning of more gremlins to come.

Full Skoda Fabia reliability report