Used Skoda Fabia 2015-2021 review

What's the used Skoda Fabia like?

Our opinion of the Skoda Fabia has never been kept under wraps. This third-generation version is a previous What Car? Car of the Year winner, then it became our Used Small Car of the Year 2021. Both new and used, we think very highly of it.

Engines and performance: Why? Well, first off, its engine range is strong and varied. The small car is available with a non-turbo 1.0-litre petrol unit putting out either 59bhp or 74bhp (depending on your chosen variant). You also have two turbocharged 1.0-litre petrol units of 94bhp and 109bhp, and a further two turbo petrols of 1.2-litres producing either 89bhp or 109bhp. There’s also a trio of 1.4-litre diesels in 74bhp, 89bhp and 103bhp flavours, each of which can return excellent fuel economy if you clock up lots of motorway miles.

Overview

The Skoda Fabia is a great small car and, if you choose carefully, excellent value for money used. Only a mixed reliability report in our most recent survey holds it back.

Pros

• Spacious interior
• Good to drive
• Standard infotainment system

Cons

• Hard interior plastics
• Low speed ride could be better
• Shortage of advanced safety kit

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Skoda Fabia

1.0 Colour Edition Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£3,995

Skoda Fabia

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

£4,690

Skoda Fabia

1.0 SE Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£4,995

Skoda Fabia

1.0 Colour Edition Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£5,000

Skoda FABIA

1.0 SE Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£5,450

Skoda Fabia

1.0 S Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£5,791

Skoda FABIA

1.0 TSI Colour Edition Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£5,950

Skoda Fabia

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

£5,995

Skoda Fabia

1.0 SE L Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£6,450

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Ride and handling: Whichever version you choose, the Fabia is good to drive, surprisingly refined and very comfortable. The basic non-turbo 1.0-litre engine is adequate around town, but we'd seek out one of the turbocharged petrol models; these have more get up and go for motorway use. The diesel options all have plenty of low-down grunt, but aren't quite as smooth and refined as the petrol engined-cars.

Around town, the Fabia's ride can be a bit unsettled, but at higher speeds things settle down and it all becomes much more composed. In corners, the Fabia steers well, and there's plenty of grip, and it handles in a secure and competent fashion. Overall refinement is good, with low levels of both wind and road noise.

Looking for a newer car? Read our Skoda Fabia 2021-present used buying guide

Interior and practicality: Inside, there's an excellent driving position, with good visibility, and the dashboard and surrounding areas are all laid out in a logical fashion. The 6.5in touchscreen is clear and easy to use, too. Space-wise, there's more than enough up front, and generous amounts of leg and head room in the rear, at least for two; three is a little bit of a squeeze. The boot is a competitive size, too, and is usefully square in shape. However, fold the rear seats flat and there is a noticeable step in the boot floor.

All in, though, the Fabia is a great car, and it should be fairly light on your pocket, too, with some excellent buys appearing on the used car forecourts.

Trims and equipment: Trims range from S, which is a little too basic for our tastes, through to SE, which is our pick and offers such niceties as alloy wheels, air-con, rear parking sensors and a 6.5in colour touchscreen featuring Skoda’s Smartlink sat-nav, up to the sportier-looking Monte Carlo and increasingly more opulent SE L, with its climate control, cruise control and keyless start.

"The Fabia is an ideal first car. If I were 17 again, I'd be very happy with one." – George Hill, Used Cars Writer

If you're interested in buying a used Skoda Fabia or any of the other small cars mentioned here, head over to our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at a great price.

Ownership cost

What used Skoda Fabia will I get for my budget?

Used examples of the Fabia represent good value. Prices for this generation start at around £3000 for an early example with plenty of miles on it. However, we'd suggest you spend £6000 to £7000 or more to get a 2015 or 2016 example in SE specification with an average number of miles. Step up to the £8000 mark and you’ll find a good facelifted 2019, 2020 or 2021 model. Meanwhile, £10,000 should secure you a facelift car from a franchised dealer, with a full history and often lower-than-average miles.

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Our recommendations

Which used Skoda Fabia should I buy?

Engine

At the launch of this generation of Fabia, Skoda offered two turbocharged 1.2-litre engines, one of 89bhp and the other of 109bhp; our preferred version is the lower-powered variant. However, this was replaced in 2017 with the smaller but slightly more powerful engine known as the 1.0 TSI 95, which is certainly quick enough and very economical. It's the one to go for if you can afford it.

Specification

The base S trim is a little too basic, so we'd suggest you go for an SE trim car instead.

A facelift in 2019 brought one or two minor cosmetic and trim updates, but the 1.0-litre SE continues to be our favourite of these later cars.

Our favourite Skoda Fabia: 1.0 TSI 95 SE

Alternatives

What alternatives should I consider to a used Skoda Fabia?

The main rival for the Fabia in this class is the Ford Fiesta, which is one of the best-selling cars on the UK’s roads. It has always been a cut above its rivals to drive, with peppy engines and delightful steering and handling. It’s comfortable, too, with a smart, well-equipped interior, and it comes loaded with safety technology. It’s pricier than the Fabia, though, and it’s not quite as practical.

The other main rivals both hail, like the Fabia, from the Volkswagen Group: the Seat Ibiza and the VW Polo. The Ibiza is both great to drive and remarkably spacious. It’s efficient, too, and has no major weakness in any area.

The Polo has a deserved reputation for taking all the good qualities of that evergreen car, the VW Golf, and compressing them down into a small car. It’s a well-built and entirely logical car, with a good range of engines and trims and, despite it having a higher purchase price than the Fabia’s, there are still some good used cars to look out for.

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If you're interested in buying a used Skoda Fabia or any of the other small cars mentioned here, head over to our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at a great price.