• Excellent fuel economy across the range
• Solid residual values
• Well-priced servicing from Skoda dealers

All Skoda Fabias are cheap to run, with even the most powerful 110hp 1.0-litre TSI version claiming an average fuel consumption figure of 50mpg. This improves to 51mpg on the 95hp version, while the 60hp 1.0-litre MPI model manages 51.2mpg.

Thankfully, the MPI engine’s lack of urgency means economy isn’t sapped in the pursuit of speed. Economy-boosting stop-start is standard too, cutting back in quickly and undramatically.

Insurance is rock bottom on the S-spec 60hp 1.0-litre MPI version and still respectable on 110hp models. Servicing from Skoda garages is cheaper than it is from Volkswagen equivalents too, despite the vehicles sharing many of the same parts.

Green credentials

Despite not offering any hybrid or all-electric versions, the Skoda Fabia is still an eco-friendly car thanks to its offering of three low-emissions petrol engines. Even the most polluting version, the 110hp TSI emits just 128g/km of CO2.

Opt for the 95hp model, and CO2 is 125g/km, or 124g/km for the 60hp version.

Considering a Skoda Fabia as a company car? Find out which one is best here

Reliability

• Not a single recall against its name
• All parts have been tried and tested
• Solid build quality all-round

Skoda Fabia reliability should be excellent, with the car using tried and tested VW Group components that have been in production for a good few years now. There’s not much in the way of flashy tech, or complicated hybrid/pure electric powertrains that could go wrong and be expensive to fix, either. 

In fact, the Fabia has the impressive distinction of not having a single recall in its production run since 2015 – a feat that very few models more than three years old can boast. 

It is, however, worth keeping an eye on the seven-speed DSG gearbox if it’s fitted to your car. There have been reports of other, similar transmissions failing on VW Group cars – especially when out of warranty.