2023 Skoda Fabia — MOT failures & pass rate
387 MOT tests on the 2023 Skoda Fabia are in this dataset, and 97.2% of them passed. Against superminis of a similar age (5.4% fail rate), the 2023 Fabia comes out 2.6pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, visibility and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (2.3%) and visibility (1.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, washers and front fog lamp switch — headlamp aim alone was recorded 5 times.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 13.2% 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 | 2.3% | 9 |
| 2 | Visibility | 1.3% | 5 |
| 3 | Tyres | 1.0% | 4 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.3% | 1 |
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 |
| 2 | Washers | 4 |
| 3 | Front fog lamp switch | 2 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 1 |
| 5 | Wipers | 1 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 1 |
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 | 13.2% | 51 |
| 2 | Brakes | 4.1% | 16 |
| 3 | Other defects | 1.3% | 5 |
| 4 | Visibility | 0.8% | 3 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 0.5% | 2 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.5% | 2 |
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 | 350 | 2.3% |
| 30-60k | 37 | 8.1% |
What to check before buying a 2023 Fabia
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 2.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (2.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (1.3% 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.
- Tyres (1.0% 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.
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 2023 Skoda Fabias pass their MOT?
97.2% of the 387 2023 Skoda Fabia MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 2.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2023 Skoda Fabia?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 2.3% of tests, followed by visibility (1.3%).
Does the 2023 Fabia get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 2.3% in the 0-30k band to 8.1% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 387 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.