Name: Skoda Fabia (2015 – present) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Skoda Fabia
Rating: 72

Summary

The Skoda Fabia is a small car in the supermini class, available as either a five-door hatch or – unusually for this segment – an estate. This Fabia is the third generation model, which was launched in the UK in early 2015 and received a mid-life facelift in 2018. It has since been replaced by an all-new Fabia, which arrived in late 2021.

The Fabia was only available with a 1.0-litre petrol engine with various levels of performance. There was previously a diesel engine as well earlier in its lifespan, but this was discontinued as diesel fuel has rapidly declined in popularity.

Throughout its production lide, the Fabia received generally good reviews from the UK motoring media, although its scores started to decline as it has got older and had to contend with newer and more sophisticated rivals. At the end of its life it held an Expert Rating of 70%, placing it right in the middle of the supermini field. The estate version tended to receive scores that were pretty much identical to the hatch.

The Fabia was praised for its value for money and practicality, with good space for both people and luggage. Critics generally pointed out that it’s a rather unexciting car to both look at and drive.

In a 2020 What Car? survey of the 50 most reliable cars in the UK up to eight years old, the Skoda Fabia ranked equal 31st. In its 2021 survey, What Car? rated the Fabia tenth in its list of the most reliable small cars.

Key specifications

Body style: Five-door hatch and estate
Engines: petrol
Price: From £14,280 on-road

Launched: Spring 2015
Last updated: Summer 2020
Replaced: Winter 2021/22

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert+

Model reviewed: Hatchback range
“The Skoda Fabia remains a competitive buy in the small car market – but its rivals have caught up.”
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Auto Express+

Model reviewed: Hatchback range
Score: 8 / 10
“It might be showing its age ever so slightly, but the comfortable, practical Skoda Fabia remains hard to fault.”

Model reviewed: Estate range
Score: 8 / 10
“The Skoda Fabia Estate is a spacious supermini that features lots of equipment as standard and promises low running costs.”
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Auto Trader+

Model reviewed: Estate range
Score: 8.2 / 10
“The Skoda Fabia Estate is pretty much in a class of its own. It’s a little more expensive than the hatch equivalent and it’s not exactly glamorous but as a no-nonsense, practical car it fits the bill and embodies Skoda’s good value, no-nonsense image.”
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Model reviewed: Hatchback range
Score: 8 / 10
“What the Skoda Fabia lacks in driving panache and, arguably, style, it more than makes up for in comfort, practicality and value. The 2018 facelift to this model is minimal, but it keeps the Fabia up-to-date against newer rivals and means that overall it’s still one of the best small hatchbacks around.”
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Autocar+

Model reviewed: Hatchback range
Score: 8 / 10
“It’s a conventional car sitting plumb in the centre of its class on size and just below centre on price, and it leaves accepted norms unchallenged. The Skoda Fabia is easy to use, comfy and grown-up, smart but anonymous to look at, classy but forgettable to drive.”
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Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual estate SE L
Score: 8 / 10
“The Skoda Fabia estate, with its comparatively cavernous boot, stands out. As a reasonably affordable, well-equipped and easy-to-drive family car, it’s going to take some beating.”
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Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual SE L hatchback
Score: 7 / 10
“As far as on-road manners, performance and practicality are concerned, the Skoda Fabia is certainly competent, but there aren’t any particular advantages here that would lead you to pick one over a Volkswagen Polo or a SEAT Ibiza.”
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Car+

Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual hatchback
Score: 6 / 10
“The Skoda Fabia is ageing graciously. If you want a sensible supermini, it’s worth a look. Just remember that those who enjoy driving, cutting-edge style and standing out in a crowd may prefer to shop elsewhere.”
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Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol manual Monte Carlo hatchback
Score: 6 / 10
“Save for the well-judged styling touches, the Monte Carlo is a standard Skoda Fabia underneath with identical engines and the same everyday usability. If you’re not fussed by the cosmetics, just buy the regular Fabia and save yourself some money.”
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Car Keys+

Model reviewed: Estate range
Score: 9 / 10
“The updated Skoda Fabia isn’t much more than a facelift, but small changes and revised equipment have kept the Fabia competitive against arguably more modern rivals. It’s not the most engaging car in its class to drive, but it’s ideal and fantastic value for money as well.”
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Model reviewed: Hatchback range
Score: 9 / 10
“The Skoda Fabia pretty much ticks all the boxes you want from a supermini. It’s good to drive, practical and is well-equipped. Sure, it might not have the badge appeal of more premium rivals, and it’s not overly stylish, but this latest refresh has proven that the Fabia is still one of the best in its class.”
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Carbuyer+

Model reviewed: Hatchback range
Score: 8.8 / 10
“The Skoda Fabia is a supermini, but it has lots of interior space and luggage room for a car in this class.”

Model reviewed: Estate range
Score: 8.4 / 10
“The Skoda Fabia Estate is a practical, affordable and generously equipped small family car.”
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Carwow+

Model reviewed: Estate range
Score: 6 / 10
“The Skoda Fabia Estate is one of the roomiest small estate cars you can buy, but it’s far from exciting to look at and many conventional hatchbacks are more fun to drive.”
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Model reviewed: Hatchback range
Score: 6 / 10
“The Skoda Fabia is a small car with a decent amount of space in the back and a fairly roomy boot, but alternatives are more exciting to look at and to drive.”

Evo+

Model reviewed: Hatchback range
Score: 6 / 10
“There are one or two reasons to buy a Skoda Fabia, but a fair few more to not.”

Honest John+

Model reviewed: Hatchback range
Score: 8 / 10
“The Skoda Fabia has always been a sensible choice of small car and the latest incarnation keeps up the tradition.”
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Model reviewed: Estate range
Score: 8 / 10
“The Skoda Fabia Estate is a winner, ultimately, in that whatever one you choose you’ll get a comfortable and practical small estate with low running costs and excellent build quality.”
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Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual hatchback
“While the latest Skoda Fabia doesn’t look all that different to the outgoing model, it continues to be an excellent car for those who aren’t fussed about being seen in the latest must-have small car.”
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Motors.co.uk+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Skoda Fabia has a practical and ergonomic cabin – albeit with some cheap-feeling plastics – and is comfortable to drive. However, the engine choice is limited and the top-spec models can be expensive.”
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Parkers+

Model reviewed: Hatchback range
Score: 8 / 10
“Cheap to buy and run, with lots of equipment and space”

Model reviewed: Estate range
Score: 7.8 / 10
“A brilliant small estate car with bags of room”
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The Sunday Times+

Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual Monte Carlo hatchback
Score: 6 / 10
“Worth a look over the Polo but still not the class leader.”
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The Telegraph+

Model reviewed: Hatchback range
“A mild facelift struggles to boost desirability.”
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Model reviewed: Hatchback range
Score: 8 / 10
“More spacious than its rivals and slightly cheaper than most of them, too, the Skoda Fabia is sure to please those looking for a practical, versatile car that won’t break the bank. Just remember that a Ford Fiesta is more fun to drive.”

Top Gear+

Model reviewed: Hatchback range
Score: 7 / 10
“Great option for someone who doesn’t really care about cars or driving.”

What Car?+

Model reviewed: Estate range
Score: 8 / 10
“Like the hatchback, mature and refined with added boot space.”
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Model reviewed: Hatchback range
Score: 8 / 10
“The Skoda Fabia is a fine small car and incredible value for money if you choose carefully. We reckon the 1.0 TSI 95 in SE trim makes the most sense.”

Which?+

Model reviewed: Range overview
“The Skoda Fabia is a fun little hatchback to drive, while also being refined and comfortable. It offers slightly more space in the boot, too, compared with the previous Fabia, boosting practicality.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: November 2014
Date expired: January 2021
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 81%
Child protection: 81%
Vulnerable road users: 69%
Safety assist: 69%

No safety rating

The Skoda Fabia was originally crash tested by Euro NCAP back in 2014 and awarded a five-star rating. However, this rating expired in January 2021 and is no longer valid as the car no longer meets the standards required for such a rating. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years.

However, if you are comparing a used Skoda Fabia to vehicles of similar age, whose ratings will have probably also expired, its safety rating score is still useful.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

Model tested: 1.0 TSI PETROL 4X2 MANUAL

Overall score: 3 stars
Date tested: February 2021
Read the full Green NCAP review

Clean Air Index: 6 / 10
Energy Efficiency Index: 6.5 / 10
Greenhouse Gas Index: 5 / 10

The Skoda Fabia 1.0-litre petrol manual hatchback received a three-star rating from Green NCAP in February 2021.

Green NCAP said: “The third generation Škoda Fabia is tested here with the three-cylinder 1.0-litre turbocharged direct injection engine. In the past, such engines might have had issues with the number of particulate they emitted but a gasoline particulate filter (GPF) takes care of the problem, and to good effect.

“Emissions of particulates are never excessive, even in the more challenging tests. Emissions of NO_x and CO are very well controlled, especially in the road tests. The story remains good when we look at energy efficiency, with the small engine emitting low values of CO₂. This serves the car well in the Energy Efficiency index too, and excellent control of laughing gas, N₂O and of Methane, CH₄, contribute to a good index of 5 in this part of the assessment.

“Overall, the average index is only a little short of gaining the Fabia an extra half-star but it emerges from the tests with a very creditable three-star rating.”

This rating only applies to the 1.0-litre petrol (TSI) manual hatchback version of the Skoda Fabia, and does not imply similar ratings for other engine and gearbox combinations in the range (although there will be no significant difference between estate and hatchback body styles).

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

Total claims: 40
Average repair cost: £756.99
Last updated: November 2022

Reliability score

All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

As of November 2022, the Skoda Fabia has an average reliability rating of 53%. This covers not only this model but also newer (2022 onwards) and older (pre-2015) generations, with the caveat that this score is not yet based on a large number of vehicles so it may fluctaute more than normal over time.

The average repair cost of just over £750 is fairly high for this segment of car, and certainly more than the cost of a used car warranty. Certainly worth beaering in mind if you currently own a Fabia or are thinking about buying a used Fabia.

Engine repairs have proved particularly expensive to date, with an eye-watering average repair bill of £2,300, and are also the most common kind of fault on the Skoda Fabia. Make sure that ay used car warranty you purchase covers this.