Used Honda Jazz Mk3 (2015–20) vs Skoda Fabia Mk3 (2014–21)
Figures updated
Shopping for a used supermini? We compare the Honda Jazz Mk3 (2015–2020) and Skoda Fabia Mk3 (2014–2021), which were on sale at the same time, on size, boot space, performance, safety and running costs, plus how cars of their age do in real MOT tests.
The short answer
Pick the Honda Jazz Mk3 for the bigger boot and the better MOT record, or the Skoda Fabia Mk3 for lower fuel costs.
- The Honda Jazz Mk3 has the biggest boot: 354 litres, 24 more than the Skoda Fabia Mk3.
- The Honda Jazz Mk3 has the better MOT record for its age: the Honda Jazz Mk3 fails its MOT 44% less often than average for its age (12% of Honda Jazzes built 2015–2020 failed first time in 2024, against 21% of all cars that age), while the Skoda Fabia Mk3 fails its MOT about as often as average for its age (21% of Skoda Fabias built 2014–2021 failed first time in 2024, against 22% of all cars that age).
- The Skoda Fabia Mk3 is the cheapest to fuel: comparing petrol versions, about £268 a year less than the Honda Jazz Mk3 at 7,500 miles a year.
- Watch the body and structure on a Skoda Fabia Mk3: it fails on them 1.3 times as often as the average car.
| Figure | Honda Jazz Mk3Mk3 (2015–2020), 5-door hatchback | Skoda Fabia Mk3Mk3 (2014–2021), 5-door hatchback |
|---|---|---|
| Price and practicality | ||
| Body | 5-door hatchback | 5-door hatchback |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| BootSeats up / folded | 354 litres / 897 (best) | 330 litres / 1,150 |
| Length | 3,995mm | 3,992mm |
| WidthWithout mirrors | 1,694mm | 1,732mm |
| Height | 1,550mm | 1,467mm |
| Performance | ||
| Power | 102–130 PS (best) | 60–110 PS |
| 0–62mph | 8.7–12.0 sec (best) | 9.4–15.7 sec |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP ratingTests get tougher each year | ★★★★★ (2015) | ★★★★★ (2014) |
| Economy and emissions | ||
| Fuel types | Petrol | Diesel, Petrol |
| Official economyVersions of this generation | 46.3–48.7 mpg | 57.6–83.1 mpg |
| CO2 | 131–139 g/km | 88–112 g/km |
| Running costs at 7,500 miles a year | ||
| Petrol or hybrid171.4p a litre, today's UK average | £1,220 (47.9 mpg) | £952 (61.4 mpg) (best) |
| Diesel198.4p a litre | – | £934 (72.4 mpg) |
| Cheapest version to fuelWhichever fuel costs least | £1,220 (petrol) | £934 (diesel) |
| Car tax, registered 2001 to 2017Taxed on CO2; newer cars pay a flat £200 | £20 to £200 | £20 to £410 |
| Reliability from real MOT tests | ||
| Reliability score | 113Above average (best) | 97Below average |
| Failed first time, cars of this generation's ageUK rate for cars the same age in brackets | 11.7% (20.9%)built 2015–2020 (best) | 21.3% (21.7%)built 2014–2021 |
| Failed MOT first time (ages 3–20) | 25.9% (best) | 29.6% |
| Failed at 3 years old | 6.8% (best) | 13.6% |
| Failed at 5 years old | 9.0% (best) | 16.6% |
| Failed at 10 years old | 18.3% (best) | 27.8% |
| Most common MOT fault | Position lamp (4.3% of tests) | Pins and bushes (3.7% of tests) |
| Fails more than average on | Nothing stands out | Body and structure (1.3×) |
| MOT tests analysed | 327,974 | 225,572 |
| About the cars | ||
| Type | Supermini | Supermini |
| Owners' average miles a year | 5,300 | 6,900 |
| On sale | 2015–2020 | 2014–2021 |
Green marks the better figure where the difference is more than 3%. Reliability figures cover every version of each model tested in the year. Running costs use the typical official economy of recent versions (WLTP where available); real-world economy is usually a little worse for every car.
More comparisons
Frequently asked questions
›Is a used Honda Jazz Mk3 or Skoda Fabia Mk3 more reliable?
The Honda Jazz Mk3. Compared with all cars the same age, the Honda Jazz Mk3 fails its MOT 44% less often than average and the Skoda Fabia Mk3 about as often as average (DVSA MOT tests, 2024). Because they're different ages, their raw rates differ: 11.7% of Honda Jazzes built 2015–2020 failed first time, and 21.3% of Skoda Fabias built 2014–2021. Whatever you buy, check the MOT history of the exact car.
›Which is bigger, the Honda Jazz Mk3 or the Skoda Fabia Mk3?
They're almost the same length (3,995mm and 3,992mm). The Honda Jazz Mk3 has the bigger boot: 354 litres against 330.
›Which is cheaper to run, the Honda Jazz Mk3 or the Skoda Fabia Mk3?
Comparing petrol versions, the Skoda Fabia Mk3 costs about £268 a year less to fuel at 7,500 miles (£952 against £1,220), using typical official economy and current UK average fuel prices.
›Which is safer, the Honda Jazz Mk3 or the Skoda Fabia Mk3?
Euro NCAP gave the Honda Jazz Mk3 5 stars (2015) and the Skoda Fabia Mk3 5 stars (2014). Euro NCAP makes its tests tougher every few years, so ratings from different years aren't directly comparable.
›Should I buy the Honda Jazz Mk3 or the Skoda Fabia Mk3?
Pick the Honda Jazz Mk3 for the bigger boot and the better MOT record, or the Skoda Fabia Mk3 for lower fuel costs. The comparison above sets out price, space, performance, safety, running costs and reliability side by side.
Sources: manufacturers' UK specifications and price lists and Euro NCAP (listed on each model's page); DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2024 (Open Government Licence v3.0); Vehicle Certification Agency car fuel data, © Crown copyright, VCA cannot accept liability for its accuracy; fuel prices from the GOV.UK Fuel Finder scheme. Photos from Wikimedia Commons, credited under each picture.