2015 Skoda Fabia — MOT failures & pass rate
103,907 MOT tests on the 2015 Skoda Fabia are in this dataset, and 85.5% of them passed. That is 3.1 percentage points better than superminis of a similar age, which fail at 17.6%. Failures cluster in suspension, tyres and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (5.1%) and tyres (4.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, tread depth and catalyst emissions — pins and bushes alone was recorded 3,964 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.6% in the 0-30k band and 24.0% in the 150k+ band, a 15.3-point spread — more than double.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 3.6pp more often than petrol ones (17.6% vs 14.0%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 25.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 10.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 17.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 5.1% | 5,318 |
| 2 | Tyres | 4.9% | 5,107 |
| 3 | Brakes | 3.8% | 3,937 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 3.4% | 3,500 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.8% | 2,931 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.0% | 2,101 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pins and bushes | 3,964 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 2,264 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 2,164 |
| 4 | Wipers | 2,115 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 1,948 |
| 6 | Shock absorbers | 1,759 |
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 | 25.5% | 26,472 |
| 2 | Suspension | 22.1% | 22,907 |
| 3 | Brakes | 20.4% | 21,235 |
| 4 | Other defects | 7.2% | 7,502 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.5% | 2,613 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 2.1% | 2,163 |
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 | 18,408 | 8.6% |
| 30-60k | 48,212 | 13.1% |
| 60-90k | 27,000 | 18.1% |
| 90-120k | 7,895 | 21.6% |
| 120-150k | 1,860 | 22.3% |
| 150k+ | 525 | 24.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 89,104 | 14.0% |
| Diesel | 14,803 | 17.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 20,103 | 10.8% |
| 2022 | 20,427 | 12.4% |
| 2023 | 20,863 | 14.6% |
| 2024 | 21,243 | 16.7% |
| 2025 | 21,271 | 17.6% |
What to check before buying a 2015 Fabia
On a 2015 Fabia, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (5.1% 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.
- Tyres (4.9% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Brakes (3.8% 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 2015 Skoda Fabias pass their MOT?
85.5% of the 103,907 2015 Skoda Fabia MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2015 Skoda Fabia?
Suspension, recorded in 5.1% of tests, followed by tyres (4.9%).
Does the 2015 Fabia get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.6% in the 0-30k band to 24.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 103,907 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.