Is the Skoda Fabia a Good First Car?

The Skoda Fabia was first released in 1999 as the successor of the Skoda Felicia. Now in its fourth generation, this popular supermini has earned a reputation for being spacious, reliable and affordable - three essential qualities in a good first car.

But just how good is the Fabia regarding running and maintenance costs? Is it a good investment for first-time buyers? Read on to find out.

Skoda Fabia features and benefits for new drivers

Let’s take a closer look at the two most recent generations of the Fabia.

Third generation Skoda Fabia (2014-2021)

• 17% more efficient on average than second-gen Fabias.

• Available in five trim levels: S, SE, Colour Edition, Monte Carlo and SE-L.

• Choose from three engines with six different variants.

• 0-60mph in around 11 seconds.

• Lots of standard equipment ensures high residual value.

Fourth generation Skoda Fabia (2021-present)

• Five MPI and TSI platforms ranging from 65bhp to 109bhp.

• Only petrol engines.

• Virtual cockpit.

• Four trim levels: Monte Carlo, SE-L, Colour Edition and SE Comfort.

• 0-60mph in <10 seconds (for the 110hp option).

Skoda Fabia running costs

Low running costs are important for most first-time car buyers - especially young drivers.

Fortunately, the Fabia is designed to be a budget car, so most models come with relatively low insurance and tax costs. The fuel economy of the Fabia is decent, with the most recent generation doing exceptionally well.

This guide discusses car insurance and how to get it cheaper.

Third generation

• Fuel economy - 49.1mpg average.

• Insurance groups - 1-18.

• Tax bands - A to G (£0 to £165/year).

Fourth generation

• Fuel economy - 50-55mpg.

• Insurance groups - 2-19.

• Tax bands - G to H (£165/year).

Skoda Fabia maintenance costs

Maintenance costs soon add up, so it’s important to factor them into your decision when buying a car. Annual maintenance costs typically include an MOT, a full service or interim service, an aircon regas and potentially an oil change.

As you can see, the Fabia is cheaper than average in all maintenance categories except for an aircon regas.

Are Skoda Fabias reliable? Recalls and repair costs

The third generation Skoda Fabia (2014-2021) finished 14th in the small car category of WhatCar?’s 2023 reliability survey with a score of 94.3%. 

In the most recent survey, Skoda finished in 13th place out of 31 manufacturers, which bodes well for the fourth generation Fabia, but only time will tell whether it lives up to the reputation of its predecessor.

Skoda Fabia common faults

There are some commonly reported faults you should be aware of:

• DSG automatic gearbox - can be overly jumpy when shifting gears.

• Driver’s airbag - the driver’s side airbag of certain models might not deploy fast enough (affected vehicles have been recalled).

Find out more about common problems with the Skoda Fabia.

Skoda Fabia recalls

Skoda Fabia repair costs

According to FixMyCar data, six of the most popular repair jobs for the Skoda Fabia are: cambelt and water pump, clutch replacement, brake pads and discs, front wheel alignment, puncture repair and alternator repair.

The Fabia is cheaper in all of the above categories, showing that overall, it has comparatively low average repair costs.

Is the Skoda Fabia a good first car?

Not only is the Fabia more affordable to buy than its rivals like the VW Polo, but it also has considerably lower than average maintenance and repair costs, which, combined with its strong reliability score, make it an ideal first car.

This is particularly true if you’re looking for a city car to get you from A to B on short journeys without trouble. Due to the Fabia’s relatively low horsepower and the fact that the fourth generation can’t be bought with a diesel engine, it isn’t the best choice for people who drive longer distances regularly.

It's good to know that Skoda’s standard warranty offers two years of cover with unlimited mileage and a third year of warranty up to 60,000 miles. Additionally, there is a 12-year body protection warranty on all new Skodas.

The advantages of buying a small car like the Skoda Fabia

• Better fuel economy than larger vehicles

• Less expensive

• Easier to park/manoeuvre 

• More reliable

• Lower road tax

• Low insurance costs

Which is the best Skoda Fabia engine?

In our opinion, the best engine is the 108bhp 1.0-litre TSI petrol engine. It isn’t a world beater, but it's well suited to the Fabia’s purpose, which is undoubtedly comfort over high performance.

Is the Skoda Fabia good on motorways?

The fourth-generation Fabia is a pleasure to drive on motorways thanks to its smooth engine and generous suspension. It feels very stable even on rough roads, and the engine is reasonably quiet.

The only issue is that the fourth generation doesn’t come with the option of a diesel engine, which would undoubtedly be better suited to long journeys on motorways.

Is the Skoda Fabia similar to the VW Polo?

Volkswagen and Skoda are both part of the VAG group, so naturally, they share a lot of similarities under the bonnet. Their engines are almost identical, and their performance is also similar.

The key differences can be found on the outside, in the cabin, and in how much it costs to buy one. Skoda has a better reputation for reliability and focuses on appealing to budget buyers, whereas Volkswagen has a reputation for being more stylish and upmarket.

Looking for affordable repairs or maintenance for your car? Whatever you need, our trusted garage network can help.

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