Comparison · small hatchbacks

Skoda Fabia vs Peugeot 208: which is more reliable?

The Skoda Fabia does better at the MOT, with a score of 100 against 94 for the Peugeot 208, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 422,708 real MOT tests in 2024.

Skoda Fabia

100About average
MOT tests227,706

Peugeot 208

94Below average
MOT tests195,002

By age

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

Age at testSkoda FabiaPeugeot 208
3–5 years
99About average
97Below average
6–9 years
100About average
94Below average
10–14 years
106Above average
91Well below average
15+ years
94Below average
–

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearSkoda FabiaPeugeot 208
202186.4%87.8%
202085.8%81.4%
201984.7%81.4%
201880.1%76.3%
201777.8%73.5%
201676.3%72.6%
201576.5%69.8%
201473.6%64.3%
201371.6%60.6%
201268.1%59.0%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaSkoda FabiaPeugeot 208
Lights & electrics14.114.1
Brakes13.16.6
Suspension11.85.9
Tyres7.36.3
Emissions & leaks5.08.4
Body & chassis5.28.2
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.83.9
Steering1.81.1

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%

Peugeot 208: top failures

  1. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.7%
  2. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam2.4%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.1%
  4. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits2.0%
  5. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps1.6%
  6. Exhaust system: system insecure1.5%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Skoda Fabia or the Peugeot 208?

The Skoda Fabia does better at the MOT, with a score of 100 against 94 for the Peugeot 208, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Skoda Fabia and Peugeot 208 can be compared?

Both were tested for 10 registration years (2012–2021). The Skoda Fabia had the higher pass rate in 9 of them and the Peugeot 208 in 1.

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. Peugeot 208: joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; headlamp: not working on dipped beam.