2020 Skoda Fabia — MOT failures & pass rate
31,376 MOT tests on the 2020 Skoda Fabia are in this dataset, and 90.8% of them passed. Superminis of a similar age fail at 8.9%, so the 2020 Fabia sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.1%) and visibility (4.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, headlamp aim and washers — wipers alone was recorded 1,138 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 7.0% in the 0-30k band and 19.1% in the 90-120k band, a 12.1-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 19.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 15.2% in 2021 to 10.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.1% | 1,290 |
| 2 | Visibility | 4.1% | 1,276 |
| 3 | Brakes | 2.5% | 784 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 2.1% | 657 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.8% | 265 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.8% | 252 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 1,138 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 659 |
| 3 | Washers | 325 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 294 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 289 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 247 |
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 | 19.4% | 6,103 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.0% | 3,445 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.6% | 2,054 |
| 4 | Other defects | 4.8% | 1,517 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.2% | 692 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.8% | 257 |
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 | 20,119 | 7.0% |
| 30-60k | 10,097 | 12.6% |
| 60-90k | 993 | 18.3% |
| 90-120k | 131 | 19.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 33 | 15.2% |
| 2022 | 369 | 5.7% |
| 2023 | 10,343 | 7.7% |
| 2024 | 10,204 | 9.5% |
| 2025 | 10,427 | 10.6% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Fabia
On a 2020 Fabia, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (4.1% 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.
- Visibility (4.1% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Brakes (2.5% 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 2020 Skoda Fabias pass their MOT?
90.8% of the 31,376 2020 Skoda Fabia MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Skoda Fabia?
Tyres, recorded in 4.1% of tests, followed by visibility (4.1%).
Does the 2020 Fabia get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.0% in the 0-30k band to 19.1% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 31,376 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.