Used Skoda Fabia 2007 - 2014 reliability review

Name: Used Skoda Fabia 2007 - 2014
Rating: 3
Author: Stuart Milne

The Skoda Fabia offers plenty of space and a comfortable ride, plus it’s fairly cheap to buy and run. However, the interior is desperately drab.

New
Used

More used reviews:

How we test cars

What should I look for in a used Skoda Fabia?

The Fabia’s dashboard has been known to creak and rattle due to trim parts becoming loose, so make sure you turn the radio off and listen out for this when you go for your test drive.

See used cars for sale

It’s also worth keeping an eye out for scuffed bumpers and alloys, and looking for a car with a full service history.

A vehicle history check will show if there's any outstanding finance and if the car has been written of in an accident and then put back on the road.

Is a used Skoda Fabia reliable?

The Skoda Fabia is easier on its parts than many other small hatchbacks, with brake pads and brake discs only needing to be replaced every 45,000 and 50,000 miles respectively.

It is also lighter than average on brake fluid, cambelts, bulbs and suspension components according to data from CAP Derwent, a scheme which pools repair information from some of the UK’s biggest vehicle leasing firms to predict when parts will need to be replaced.

advertisment

The data shows that it’s typically more than 100,000 miles before expensive items such as the engine, gearbox, clutch or air-conditioning need to be repaired.

Skoda finished a creditable eighth out of 37 manufacturers in the 2015 What Car? Reliability Survey.

Tips & Advice

Check for outstanding recalls

Many cars are recalled so that faults can be put right. Recall work shouldn’t cost you a penny, and they’ll make your car safer or more mechanically robust. Checking if your car has been recalled is easy

Choose the right breakdown cover

You may already have a breakdown policy through your home insurance or new-car warranty so check to avoid paying twice

Used cars available now

In partnership with

Skoda Fabia

1.2 TSI SE Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Skoda Fabia

1.2 TSI SE Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Skoda Fabia

1.2 TSI SE Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Skoda Fabia

1.2 TSI SE Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Skoda Fabia

1.4 TDI SE Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Skoda Fabia

1.2 TSI Monte Carlo Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Skoda Fabia

1.4 TDI SE L Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Skoda Fabia

1.0 S Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Skoda Fabia

1.0 S Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

See all available cars

About the writer

Name: Stuart Milne

Title: Digital editor

Follow Stuart Milne on

Stuart has been a motoring journalist for more than 25 years, writing and editing for a wide range of consumer titles. Today, Stuart is responsible for the smooth running of whatcar.com and all of its related social and digital channels. And he’s the man responsible for making sure you're able to find What Car?’s industry-leading content whenever you search for it.

News & Advice

News

Volkswagen Polo Black Edition front dynamic

Deal of the Day: Lease a Volkswagen Polo from £221 per month

The Volkswagen Polo is one of the best small cars around, and you could lease one for a keen price with our deals

Best of

Best small cars 2026 plus the one to avoid – tried & tested

Small hatchbacks make a lot of sense, especially if you live in the city. However, there are an awful lot to choose from, so here we count down the top 10 – and reveal the model to avoid

What Car? Reliability Survey: Most and least reliable small cars

In our annual Reliability Survey, we ask readers to rate the dependability of cars aged up to five years old. Here we list the most and least reliable small cars in the UK

Best of

Car of the Year Awards 2026: Best electric 7-seat SUV

Just because you need seven seats shouldn't mean you can't go electric - as the winner of our electric seven-seater demonstrates

See all latest advice