2006 Skoda Fabia — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 58,109 MOT tests analysed for the 2006 Skoda Fabia, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 71.4% was in line with the average for superminis of a similar age (71.7%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 30.0% in the 150k+ group versus 15.6% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.7% | 10,859 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.2% | 7,111 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.0% | 6,972 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.9% | 5,177 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.1% | 3,522 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.6% | 3,263 |
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 | 5,818 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 5,308 |
| 3 | Joints | 3,698 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 2,995 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 2,483 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 2,415 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 29.3% | 17,039 |
| 2 | Suspension | 28.2% | 16,412 |
| 3 | Brakes | 25.1% | 14,555 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 22.1% | 12,820 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.0% | 9,902 |
| 6 | Other defects | 15.8% | 9,156 |
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 | 953 | 15.6% |
| 30-60k | 7,621 | 22.2% |
| 60-90k | 15,066 | 27.5% |
| 90-120k | 15,508 | 31.0% |
| 120-150k | 10,180 | 31.1% |
| 150k+ | 8,759 | 30.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 36,669 | 28.9% |
| Diesel | 21,440 | 28.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 14,647 | 27.7% |
| 2022 | 13,336 | 28.7% |
| 2023 | 11,732 | 28.7% |
| 2024 | 10,081 | 29.5% |
| 2025 | 8,313 | 28.6% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Fabia
Before buying a 2006 Skoda Fabia, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 18.7% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (18.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.2% 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 (12.0% 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 2006 Skoda Fabias pass their MOT?
71.4% of the 58,109 2006 Skoda Fabia MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Skoda Fabia?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.7% of tests, followed by suspension (12.2%).
Does the 2006 Fabia get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.6% in the 0-30k band to 30.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 58,109 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.