Skoda Fabia (2016)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 31,150 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,750

£146/month

MOT Pass Rate

83%

Good

Road Tax

£170

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 5-15

1197cc Petrol

Solid Option

83% pass rate, £1,750/year to run. Close to the average across all models.

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Petrol1197cc10 years old31,150 tests56k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1197cc)

~50 mpg

£1,175

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£170

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£1,750

Per month£146/mo

Per week£34/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

83% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Skoda brand average of 88%.

83% of MOT tests on Skoda Fabias from 2016 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 8 years old. That's based on 31,150 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 56,195 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2016 models392nd of 539(bottom half)

Rank among Skoda models250th of 329(bottom 25%)

vs average of all models+1%(82% avg)

vs 2016 models average-2%(85% avg)

vs Skoda average-5%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

56,195

Average miles

59,200

Expected for age

The average 2016 Skoda Fabia had 56,195 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is in line with the expected 59,200 miles for a 8-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 91%, while the 2003 model has the lowest at 69%. The 2016 scores 83%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Skoda Fabia by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2022	94%	34	18,192 mi
2021	91%	12,956	24,133 mi
2020	90%	16,268	27,757 mi
2019	90%	22,198	33,188 mi
2018	86%	26,403	41,076 mi
2017	84%	28,967	49,380 mi
2016	83%	31,150	56,195 mi
2015	83%	28,165	60,895 mi
2014	82%	23,842	69,642 mi
2013	81%	31,000	76,734 mi
2012	79%	23,970	86,178 mi
2011	78%	21,120	89,856 mi
2010	77%	18,993	91,833 mi
2009	73%	24,250	91,725 mi
2008	71%	20,115	103,040 mi
2007	73%	17,404	106,991 mi
2006	72%	15,282	111,624 mi
2005	72%	12,215	114,942 mi
2004	71%	8,612	115,795 mi
2003	69%	5,389	105,500 mi
2002	70%	3,624	104,739 mi
2001	71%	2,604	107,277 mi
2000	70%	619	94,943 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Ford Fiesta

2015 · 998cc Petrol

£1,600/year

81%

-2%

Vauxhall Corsa

2015 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,153/year

78%

-5%

Ford Focus

2014 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,078/year

80%

-3%

Nissan Qashqai

2017 · 1200cc Petrol

£1,780/year

86%

+3%

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About the 2016 Skoda Fabia

The 2016 Skoda Fabia is a city car. Our records list a 1197cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 31,150 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it one of the most commonly tested models on UK roads. Among all models from 2016, the average MOT pass rate is 85%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 56,195 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Skoda Fabia owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2016 Skoda Fabia Fuel Costs

The modest 1197cc petrol engine keeps fuel costs low, which is a real advantage for a city car. Expect around 50 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,175 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2016 Skoda Fabia?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,750 (£146/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £170 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 83% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Skoda Fabia Reliability Trend

Newer Skoda Fabias pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 13 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2016 Skoda Fabia

At 10 years old, the Skoda Fabia is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2021 model has the highest pass rate at 91%. With 31,150 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

What the 2016 Skoda Fabia Fails Its MOT On

Share of the 4,769 MOT tests on the 2016 Skoda Fabia that failed at the first attempt in 2025, next to all cars and vans of the same age.

Suspension40%
Same age: 29% (fails on this more often)
Tyres27%
Same age: 26%
Brakes20%
Same age: 20%
Lights and electrics18%
Same age: 30% (fails on this less often)

DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2025; a test that failed on two areas counts in both. How we count it · Skoda Fabia reliability, common problems and years to avoid

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Coil Pack Failure

Medium risk

Smaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2016 Skoda Fabia stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Skoda Fabia(2016)	83%	£1,175	£170	Grp 5-15	£1,750
Ford Fiesta(2015)	81%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,600-£150
Vauxhall Corsa(2015)	78%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153+£403
Ford Focus(2014)	80%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,078+£328
Nissan Qashqai(2017)	86%	£1,175	£200	Grp 5-15	£1,780+£30

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2016 Skoda Fabia

Is the 2016 Skoda Fabia reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 83% of MOT tests on 2016 Skoda Fabias ended in a pass, from 31,150 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 1 point above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2016 Skoda Fabia cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,750 a year (£146 a month): £1,175 fuel, £170 road tax, £55 MOT and £350 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2016 Skoda Fabia?

83% of 31,150 MOT tests on the 2016 Skoda Fabia ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 392nd of 539 models first registered in 2016 (bottom half).

Which year Skoda Fabia has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 Skoda Fabia has the highest MOT pass rate at 91% and the 2003 the lowest at 69%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2016 Skoda Fabia?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2016 Skoda Fabia is 56,195 miles, which is in line with the expected 59,200 miles for a 8-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.