Comparison · small hatchbacks
Skoda Fabia vs SEAT Ibiza: which is more reliable?
The Skoda Fabia does better at the MOT, with a score of 100 against 92 for the SEAT Ibiza, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 418,871 real MOT tests in 2024.
Skoda Fabia
SEAT Ibiza
By age
MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).
| Age at test | Skoda Fabia | SEAT Ibiza |
|---|---|---|
| 3–5 years | 99About average | 100About average |
| 6–9 years | 100About average | 89Well below average |
| 10–14 years | 106Above average | 92Well below average |
| 15+ years | 94Below average | 88Well below average |
Year by year
Share that passed first time, same registration year.
| Year | Skoda Fabia | SEAT Ibiza |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 86.4% | 87.8% |
| 2020 | 85.8% | 86.4% |
| 2019 | 84.7% | 85.6% |
| 2018 | 80.1% | 75.1% |
| 2017 | 77.8% | 70.5% |
| 2016 | 76.3% | 68.3% |
| 2015 | 76.5% | 64.5% |
| 2014 | 73.6% | 62.4% |
| 2013 | 71.6% | 60.3% |
| 2012 | 68.1% | 60.0% |
| 2011 | 66.2% | 57.9% |
| 2010 | 63.0% | 55.9% |
| 2009 | 56.8% | 53.3% |
| 2008 | 53.1% | 48.7% |
| 2007 | 53.9% | 47.0% |
| 2006 | 51.7% | 49.9% |
| 2005 | 52.9% | 50.1% |
| 2004 | 51.0% | 51.3% |
| 2003 | 51.1% | 49.9% |
| 2002 | 52.9% | 55.0% |
| 2001 | 56.1% | 56.3% |
Problem areas
Failure items per 100 tests.
| Area | Skoda Fabia | SEAT Ibiza |
|---|---|---|
| Lights & electrics | 14.1 | 15.4 |
| Brakes | 13.1 | 14.5 |
| Suspension | 11.8 | 15.1 |
| Tyres | 7.3 | 9.4 |
| Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors) | 4.8 | 6.8 |
| Body & chassis | 5.2 | 4.8 |
| Emissions & leaks | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Steering | 1.8 | 3.7 |
Skoda Fabia: top failures
SEAT Ibiza: top failures
Questions
Which is more reliable, the Skoda Fabia or the SEAT Ibiza?
The Skoda Fabia does better at the MOT, with a score of 100 against 92 for the SEAT Ibiza, comparing each with cars of the same age.
Which years of the Skoda Fabia and SEAT Ibiza can be compared?
Both were tested for 21 registration years (2001–2021). The Skoda Fabia had the higher pass rate in 15 of them and the SEAT Ibiza in 6.
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. SEAT Ibiza: suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm.