2007 Skoda Fabia — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 66,196 MOT tests analysed for the 2007 Skoda Fabia, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 72.5% was in line with the average for superminis of a similar age (72.3%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 30.3% in the 150k+ group versus 16.9% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.6% | 11,635 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.3% | 8,117 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.3% | 6,140 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.1% | 6,040 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.6% | 3,725 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.1% | 3,397 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 4,742 |
| 2 | Joints | 4,341 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 4,331 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 3,705 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 3,431 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 2,360 |
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 | 28.8% | 19,036 |
| 2 | Tyres | 28.7% | 19,009 |
| 3 | Brakes | 22.4% | 14,833 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.3% | 10,802 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 15.0% | 9,923 |
| 6 | Other defects | 13.4% | 8,896 |
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 | 1,311 | 16.9% |
| 30-60k | 9,128 | 21.1% |
| 60-90k | 18,070 | 26.6% |
| 90-120k | 18,357 | 29.5% |
| 120-150k | 11,435 | 30.2% |
| 150k+ | 7,765 | 30.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 41,486 | 27.6% |
| Diesel | 24,710 | 27.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 15,680 | 26.9% |
| 2022 | 14,644 | 27.1% |
| 2023 | 13,488 | 27.8% |
| 2024 | 11,959 | 28.0% |
| 2025 | 10,425 | 28.2% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Fabia
Before buying a 2007 Skoda Fabia, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 17.6% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (17.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.3% 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 (9.3% 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 2007 Skoda Fabias pass their MOT?
72.5% of the 66,196 2007 Skoda Fabia MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Skoda Fabia?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.6% of tests, followed by suspension (12.3%).
Does the 2007 Fabia get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.9% in the 0-30k band to 30.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 66,196 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.