Comparison · small hatchbacks

Renault Clio vs Skoda Fabia: which is more reliable?

The Skoda Fabia does better at the MOT, with a score of 100 against 83 for the Renault Clio, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 544,555 real MOT tests in 2024.

Renault Clio

83Well below average
MOT tests316,849

Skoda Fabia

100About average
MOT tests227,706

By age

MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).

Age at testRenault ClioSkoda Fabia
3–5 years
95Below average
99About average
6–9 years
83Well below average
100About average
10–14 years
78Well below average
106Above average
15+ years
83Well below average
94Below average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearRenault ClioSkoda Fabia
202187.0%86.4%
202084.2%85.8%
201977.0%84.7%
201874.0%80.1%
201768.7%77.8%
201660.7%76.3%
201557.7%76.5%
201454.7%73.6%
201355.8%71.6%
201247.6%68.1%
201146.6%66.2%
201047.1%63.0%
200948.1%56.8%
200846.7%53.1%
200746.7%53.9%
200646.6%51.7%
200547.7%52.9%
200448.4%51.0%
200349.0%51.1%
200252.5%52.9%
200152.3%56.1%
200051.4%55.7%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaRenault ClioSkoda Fabia
Lights & electrics28.114.1
Suspension23.511.8
Brakes15.913.1
Tyres9.27.3
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.54.8
Body & chassis5.95.2
Emissions & leaks3.85.0
Steering6.51.8

Renault Clio: top failures

  1. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn7.2%
  2. Coil spring: fractured or broken7.1%
  3. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play4.3%
  4. Position lamp: not working3.5%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.7%
  6. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.6%

Skoda Fabia: top failures

  1. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.2%
  2. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.0%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.9%
  4. Position lamp: not working1.8%
  5. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements1.8%
  6. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.6%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Renault Clio or the Skoda Fabia?

The Skoda Fabia does better at the MOT, with a score of 100 against 83 for the Renault Clio, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Renault Clio and Skoda Fabia can be compared?

Both were tested for 22 registration years (2000–2021). The Renault Clio had the higher pass rate in 1 of them and the Skoda Fabia in 21.

What fails most on each?

Renault Clio: suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn; coil spring: fractured or broken. Skoda Fabia: suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn; joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt.