2000 Skoda Fabia — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,963 MOT tests, the 2000 Skoda Fabia recorded a 71.1% pass rate. Superminis of a similar age fail at 29.4%, so the 2000 Fabia sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (15.2%) and suspension (14.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and wipers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 224 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 38.2% versus 12.4%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 36.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 30.0% in 2021 to 27.2% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.2% | 450 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.6% | 433 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.7% | 346 |
| 4 | Visibility | 7.1% | 211 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.0% | 178 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.8% | 173 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 224 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 207 |
| 3 | Wipers | 177 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 172 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 132 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 129 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 36.3% | 1,075 |
| 2 | Tyres | 30.9% | 915 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 26.3% | 778 |
| 4 | Brakes | 24.6% | 730 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 19.5% | 578 |
| 6 | Other defects | 19.2% | 569 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 89 | 12.4% |
| 30-60k | 605 | 24.5% |
| 60-90k | 1,025 | 28.7% |
| 90-120k | 669 | 30.3% |
| 120-150k | 308 | 31.5% |
| 150k+ | 267 | 38.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 2,522 | 28.4% |
| Diesel | 441 | 31.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 979 | 30.0% |
| 2022 | 707 | 28.4% |
| 2023 | 562 | 28.6% |
| 2024 | 414 | 28.3% |
| 2025 | 301 | 27.2% |
What to check before buying a 2000 Fabia
On a 2000 Fabia, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (15.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.6% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (11.7% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2000 Skoda Fabias pass their MOT?
71.1% of the 2,963 2000 Skoda Fabia MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2000 Skoda Fabia?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.2% of tests, followed by suspension (14.6%).
Does the 2000 Fabia get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.4% in the 0-30k band to 38.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,963 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.