Comparison · small hatchbacks
Skoda Fabia vs Citroen C3: which is more reliable?
The Skoda Fabia does better at the MOT, with a score of 100 against 91 for the Citroen C3, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 418,024 real MOT tests in 2024.
Skoda Fabia
Citroen C3
By age
MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).
| Age at test | Skoda Fabia | Citroen C3 |
|---|---|---|
| 3–5 years | 99About average | 102About average |
| 6–9 years | 100About average | 94Below average |
| 10–14 years | 106Above average | 87Well below average |
| 15+ years | 94Below average | 89Well below average |
Year by year
Share that passed first time, same registration year.
| Year | Skoda Fabia | Citroen C3 |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 86.4% | 90.8% |
| 2020 | 85.8% | 89.1% |
| 2019 | 84.7% | 84.7% |
| 2018 | 80.1% | 79.8% |
| 2017 | 77.8% | 75.0% |
| 2016 | 76.3% | 69.4% |
| 2015 | 76.5% | 66.9% |
| 2014 | 73.6% | 63.9% |
| 2013 | 71.6% | 59.2% |
| 2012 | 68.1% | 54.9% |
| 2011 | 66.2% | 52.9% |
| 2010 | 63.0% | 51.5% |
| 2009 | 56.8% | 50.4% |
| 2008 | 53.1% | 51.2% |
| 2007 | 53.9% | 51.4% |
| 2006 | 51.7% | 52.3% |
| 2005 | 52.9% | 49.9% |
| 2004 | 51.0% | 49.7% |
| 2003 | 51.1% | 48.6% |
| 2002 | 52.9% | 50.6% |
Problem areas
Failure items per 100 tests.
| Area | Skoda Fabia | Citroen C3 |
|---|---|---|
| Lights & electrics | 14.1 | 24.9 |
| Suspension | 11.8 | 13.4 |
| Brakes | 13.1 | 8.9 |
| Tyres | 7.3 | 7.4 |
| Body & chassis | 5.2 | 8.6 |
| Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors) | 4.8 | 5.7 |
| Emissions & leaks | 5.0 | 5.4 |
| Steering | 1.8 | 3.4 |
Skoda Fabia: top failures
Citroen C3: top failures
Questions
Which is more reliable, the Skoda Fabia or the Citroen C3?
The Skoda Fabia does better at the MOT, with a score of 100 against 91 for the Citroen C3, comparing each with cars of the same age.
Which years of the Skoda Fabia and Citroen C3 can be compared?
Both were tested for 20 registration years (2002–2021). The Skoda Fabia had the higher pass rate in 17 of them and the Citroen C3 in 3.
What fails most on each?
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. Citroen C3: stop lamp: not working; joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt.