Used Skoda Fabia 2015-2021 reliability
Category: Small car
The Skoda Fabia is a great small car and, if you choose carefully, excellent value for money used.
What should I look for in a used Skoda Fabia hatchback?
The Fabia is a solidly built car, so most of your concerns will surround whether the interior is clean and tidy and that the alloy wheels, if specified, haven’t suffered any kerb damage. Its most likely use will have been as a town car, so check the bodywork for minor scuffs.
Owners reported problems with the seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox of earlier cars; it could be overly jerky when shifting. Some also found it difficult to utilise the Mirrorlink system on the car’s infotainment system. In our most recent reliability survey, the Fabia scored well on brake, tyre, windscreen wiper and headlight bulb wear, all being below the class average.
What are the most common problems with a used Skoda Fabia hatchback?
At the time of writing, the Fabia has two recalls listed. To check whether they have affected your car, you can contact your local Skoda dealer. You will not need to pay for anything involving the recall.
Reason for recall
Driver's airbag may not inflate quickly enough in case of its activation.
How the manufacturer will repair: The steering wheel airbag has to be replaced in the vehicles affected.
Number of affected vehicles: 393
Date of recall: 30/05/2019
Reason for recall
On affected vehicles from a certain production period there is a possibility that the gas generator cover could be damaged when the driver's airbag is activated.
How the manufacturer will repair: Replace the driver's airbag in affected vehicles.
Number of affected vehicles: 4
Date of recall: 27/03/2023
Is a used Skoda Fabia hatchback reliable?
In our latest What Car? Reliability Survey, the Fabia ranked 12th out of 15 cars in the small car class. That places it above the 2014-2019 Vauxhall Corsa and 2017-present Seat Ibiza, but below the 2017-2024 Suzuki Swift and 2018-present Volkswagen Polo.
As a brand, Skoda came 13th out of 31 manufacturers featured in our most recent 2024 reliability survey, with a good score of 91.8%. That placed them above Seat, MG and Vauxhall, but below Honda, Mini and Suzuki.
Check out the full list of brands here.
Used Skoda Fabia reliability: the owners' view
In our latest Reliability Survey, Skoda Fabia owners said their cars generally performed well for reliability, though there were some concerns. Many owners of both petrol and diesel models praised the Fabia for being dependable day to day, with relatively few serious mechanical problems reported. However, a recurring issue involved warning lights appearing without clear causes, often requiring repeated visits to dealerships to diagnose. A few owners mentioned faults with electrical components, particularly relating to the infotainment system and sensors.
Experiences with the dealer network were mixed. While some owners found their local Skoda garages to be helpful and efficient, others were left frustrated by slow repair times and difficulty sourcing parts. There were also comments suggesting that some fixes were more costly than expected, particularly when repairs fell just outside warranty coverage. Overall, the Fabia’s reliability was solid, though dealer experiences varied.
If you would like to see the full reliability list, visit out What Car? Reliability Survey pages.
