2001 Skoda Fabia MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 52.7% of Skoda Fabias first used in 2001 passed their MOT first time, against 61.1% for all cars first used in 2001. Across 4,143 Fabia first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, suspension and brakes.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Skoda Fabias first used in 2001 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2001 Skoda Fabia MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Fabias first used in 2001 against all cars first used in 2001 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Fabia figure was 8.4 points lower.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2001 Fabia | All cars first used 2001 | Fabia first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 50.6% | 55.6% | 2,850 |
| 2022 | 53.7% | 57.4% | 2,183 |
| 2023 | 53.7% | 58.7% | 1,748 |
| 2024 | 56.0% | 59.4% | 1,358 |
| 2025 | 52.7% | 61.1% | 1,037 |
Common 2001 Skoda Fabia MOT failures
Share of the 1,898 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect | 12.1% | 229 |
| Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | 11.0% | 209 |
| Stop lamp: not working | 10.9% | 206 |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | 9.7% | 185 |
| Position lamp: not working | 9.1% | 173 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for a Fabia in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Coil spring replacement | £248 | £175–£400 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2001 Skoda Fabia before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
- Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.
Common 2001 Skoda Fabia MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2001 Fabias, as a share of all 4,143 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | 19.7% | 815 |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 19.5% | 806 |
| Coil spring: corroded | 14.2% | 589 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 13.3% | 549 |
| Registration plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread | 12.7% | 527 |
Questions about the 2001 Skoda Fabia MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2001 Skoda Fabia?
In 2025, 52.7% of Fabias first used in 2001 passed their MOT first time, against 61.1% for all cars first used in 2001. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2001 Fabia most often fail its MOT on?
Lamps and electrical equipment (in 49.7% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), suspension (41.8%) and brakes (33.8%). The single most common item was “Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect” (12.1%).
How often does a 2001 Skoda Fabia fail its MOT?
In 2025, 47.3% of first tests on Fabias first used in 2001 did not pass first time: 38.1% failed, and a further 9.3% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 1,898 of 4,143 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2001 Skoda Fabia MOT advisories?
“Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (on 19.7% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (19.5%), “Coil spring: corroded” (14.2%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (13.3%) and “Registration plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread” (12.7%).
Is a 2001 Skoda Fabia reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 50.6% in 2021 to 52.7% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2001
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2001 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2001 Toyota Yaris MOT statistics · 2001 Volkswagen Transporter MOT statistics · 2001 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2001 BMW 3 Series MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2001 Fabia?
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