2007 Skoda Fabia — MOT failures & pass rate
66,208 MOT tests on the 2007 Skoda Fabia are in this dataset, and 72.5% of them passed. That is effectively the same as superminis of a similar age (27.8% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.6% of tests against 12.3% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, joints and headlamp aim — position lamp alone was recorded 4,745 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 16.9% in the 0-30k band and 30.3% in the 150k+ band, a 13.4-point spread.
Fuel type barely separates them — diesel fails 27.5% of the time against 27.6% for petrol.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 28.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.6% | 11,638 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.3% | 8,118 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.3% | 6,140 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.1% | 6,042 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.6% | 3,725 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.1% | 3,398 |
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 | 4,745 |
| 2 | Joints | 4,343 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 4,332 |
| 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% | 19,039 |
| 2 | Tyres | 28.7% | 19,014 |
| 3 | Brakes | 22.4% | 14,833 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.3% | 10,802 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 15.0% | 9,924 |
| 6 | Other defects | 13.4% | 8,898 |
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 | 18,360 | 29.5% |
| 120-150k | 11,441 | 30.2% |
| 150k+ | 7,768 | 30.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 41,486 | 27.6% |
| Diesel | 24,722 | 27.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 15,683 | 26.9% |
| 2022 | 14,646 | 27.1% |
| 2023 | 13,491 | 27.8% |
| 2024 | 11,962 | 28.0% |
| 2025 | 10,426 | 28.2% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Fabia
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 17.6% of tests. Start there.
- 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 66,208 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 66,208 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.