Skoda Fabia (2002)
2002 Skoda Fabia
CarHunch analysed 21,711 real MOT records for the 2002 Skoda Fabia. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2002 Fabia's 73.1% first-time pass rate sits noticeably below the UK average of 80%, and nearly a third of these cars have recorded dangerous defects at some point—a significant concern for buyers prioritizing safety. Petrol versions fare slightly better at 73.9% versus diesel at 71.1%, though neither inspires confidence.
At 62,000 miles median, these 22-year-old Fabias show reasonable mileage for their age, but the high advisory count of nearly 20 per vehicle signals accumulated wear across multiple systems. With 4.7 average failures per test, budget for repairs before purchase and expect ongoing maintenance costs—have any candidate checked by a trusted mechanic before committing.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 2.8 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2002 Skoda Fabia
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 31.1% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Skoda Fabia
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (72%) | 15,666 | 73.9% | 4.44 |
| Diesel (28%) | 6,026 | 71.1% | 5.36 |
| Other (0%) | 12 | 66.5% | 1.08 |
| LPG (0%) | 6 | 84.4% | 1.67 |
| Electric (0%) | 1 | 70% | 3 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2002 Skoda Fabia vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2002 Skoda Fabia vehicles fall between 47,429 and 77,867 miles.
2002 Skoda Fabia — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 1,341 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (8% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2002 Skoda Fabia
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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76.9%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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74.9%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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51.8%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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43.1%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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40.2%
Oil leak
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38.6%
Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated
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36%
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement
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35.8%
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2002. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Skoda Fabia?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.