2004 · 20 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2004 Skoda Fabia MOT pass rate and common faults

4,279 MOT tests in 2024. 51.0% passed first time, compared with 56.4% for all cars the same age.

90Well below average
Passed first time51.0%
Failed or needed repairs49.0%
Typical mileage at test106,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 4,279 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt6.5%
  2. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect5.2%
  3. Position lamp: not working4.6%
  4. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements4.5%
  5. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction4.2%
  6. Stop lamp: not working3.5%
  7. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.4%
  8. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.3%
  9. Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn3.2%
  10. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play3.2%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics34.6%
  2. Brakes28.3%
  3. Suspension25.4%
  4. Emissions & leaks14.4%
  5. Body & chassis13.8%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)10.0%
  7. Tyres8.6%
  8. Steering6.9%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm19.9%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened13.3%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure11.6%
  4. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine10.7%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn9.1%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2004 Skoda Fabia?

In 2024, 51.0% of 2004 Skoda Fabia cars passed their MOT first time, across 4,279 tests. The average for all 20-year-old cars was 56.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2004 Skoda Fabia?

The most common failure reasons were joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect; position lamp: not working. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2004 Skoda Fabia reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 90, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).