SKODA FABIA (2021)
Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 12,956 real MOT tests.
Annual Cost
£1,405
£117/month
MOT Pass Rate
91%
Excellent
Road Tax
£195
Flat rate/year
Insurance
Grp 1-8
999cc Petrol
Great Choice
91% pass rate, £1405/year to run. 9 points above average.
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Annual Running Costs
~50 mpg
Flat rate (post-2017)
Low estimate due to excellent reliability
Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.
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Reliability Verdict
Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 9 points above the national average of 82%.
At 5 years old, 91% of SKODA FABIAs from 2021 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 12,956 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 24,133 miles.
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How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
24,133
Average miles
37,000
Expected for age
The average 2021 SKODA FABIA has 24,133 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 37,000 miles for a 5-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.
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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
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About the 2021 SKODA FABIA
The 2021 SKODA FABIA is a city car with a 999cc petrol engine. 12,956 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it one of the most commonly tested cars on UK roads. Among all cars from 2021, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.
With an average of 24,133 miles at 5 years old, SKODA FABIA owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.
2021 SKODA FABIA Fuel Costs
The modest 999cc 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 £955 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).
What does it cost to own a 2021 SKODA FABIA?
Total estimated annual running cost is £1,405 (£117/month), broken down as £955 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 91% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.
SKODA FABIA Reliability Trend
Newer SKODA FABIAs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 13 percentage points.
Buying a Used 2021 SKODA FABIA
At 5 years old, the SKODA FABIA offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost. With 12,956 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.
Common Issues to Watch For
Based on the 2021 SKODA FABIA's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.
Coil Pack Failure
Medium riskSmaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.
Service History
Low riskAlways 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 2021 SKODA FABIA stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.
| Car | Pass Rate | Fuel/yr | Tax/yr | Insurance | Total/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SKODA FABIA(2021) | 91% | £955 | £195 | Grp 1-8 | £1405 |
| FORD FIESTA(2019) | 91% | £955 | £190 | Grp 1-8 | £1400-£5 |
| VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2019) | 92% | £1137 | £190 | Grp 12-25 | £1582+£177 |
| VAUXHALL CORSA(2019) | 88% | £1137 | £190 | Grp 8-20 | £1732+£327 |
| MINI COOPER(2019) | 92% | £1137 | £190 | Grp 12-25 | £1582+£177 |
Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.
Related Skoda Models
Explore other Skoda cars or similar models in the same category.
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2019 · 1498cc Petrol
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2019 · 1398cc Petrol
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