Used Volkswagen Polo Mk5 (2009–17) vs Skoda Fabia Mk3 (2014–21)
Figures updated
Shopping for a used supermini? We compare the Volkswagen Polo Mk5 (2009–2017) 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 Volkswagen Polo Mk5 for more performance, or the Skoda Fabia Mk3 for the bigger boot and the better MOT record.
- The Skoda Fabia Mk3 has the biggest boot: 330 litres, 50 more than the Volkswagen Polo Mk5.
- The Skoda Fabia Mk3 has the better MOT record for its age: 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), while the Volkswagen Polo Mk5 fails its MOT 7% more often than average for its age (34% of Volkswagen Polos built 2009–2017 failed first time in 2024, against 32% of all cars that age).
- Running costs are close: the petrol versions cost within £41 a year of each other to fuel at 7,500 miles a year.
- Watch the steering on a Volkswagen Polo Mk5: it fails on them 1.6 times as often as the average car.
- Watch the body and structure on a Skoda Fabia Mk3: it fails on them 1.3 times as often as the average car.
| Figure | Volkswagen Polo Mk5Mk5 (2009–2017), 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 | 280 litres / 952 | 330 litres / 1,150 (best) |
| Length | 3,970mm | 3,992mm |
| WidthWithout mirrors | 1,682mm | 1,732mm |
| Height | 1,462mm | 1,467mm |
| Performance | ||
| Power | 60–192 PS (best) | 60–110 PS |
| 0–62mph | 6.7–16.1 sec (best) | 9.4–15.7 sec |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP ratingTests get tougher each year | ★★★★★ (2009) | ★★★★★ (2014) |
| Economy and emissions | ||
| Fuel types | Diesel, Petrol | Diesel, Petrol |
| Official economyVersions of this generation | 47.1–76.3 mpg | 57.6–83.1 mpg |
| CO2 | 97–140 g/km | 88–112 g/km |
| Running costs at 7,500 miles a year | ||
| Petrol or hybrid171.7p a litre, today's UK average | £994 (58.9 mpg) | £953 (61.4 mpg) (best) |
| Diesel198.4p a litre | £910 (74.3 mpg) | £934 (72.4 mpg) |
| Cheapest version to fuelWhichever fuel costs least | £910 (diesel) | £934 (diesel) |
| Car tax, registered 2001 to 2017Taxed on CO2; newer cars pay a flat £200 | £20 to £410 | £20 to £410 |
| Reliability from real MOT tests | ||
| Reliability score | 87Below average | 97Below average (best) |
| Failed first time, cars of this generation's ageUK rate for cars the same age in brackets | 34.2% (31.9%)built 2009–2017 | 21.3% (21.7%)built 2014–2021 (best) |
| Failed MOT first time (ages 3–20) | 32.9% | 29.6% (best) |
| Failed at 3 years old | 11.8% (best) | 13.6% |
| Failed at 5 years old | 19.9% | 16.6% (best) |
| Failed at 10 years old | 34.3% | 27.8% (best) |
| Most common MOT fault | Pins and bushes (3.1% of tests) | Pins and bushes (3.7% of tests) |
| Fails more than average on | Steering (1.6×), Body and structure (1.5×) | Body and structure (1.3×) |
| MOT tests analysed | 600,518 | 225,572 |
| About the cars | ||
| Type | Supermini | Supermini |
| Owners' average miles a year | 6,700 | 6,900 |
| On sale | 2009–2017 | 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 Volkswagen Polo Mk5 or Skoda Fabia Mk3 more reliable?
The Skoda Fabia Mk3. Compared with all cars the same age, the Skoda Fabia Mk3 fails its MOT about as often as average and the Volkswagen Polo Mk5 7% more often than average (DVSA MOT tests, 2024). Because they're different ages, their raw rates differ: 21.3% of Skoda Fabias built 2014–2021 failed first time, and 34.2% of Volkswagen Polos built 2009–2017. Whatever you buy, check the MOT history of the exact car.
›Which is bigger, the Volkswagen Polo Mk5 or the Skoda Fabia Mk3?
The Skoda Fabia Mk3 is 22mm longer (3,992mm against 3,970mm). The Skoda Fabia Mk3 has the bigger boot: 330 litres against 280.
›Which is cheaper to run, the Volkswagen Polo Mk5 or the Skoda Fabia Mk3?
Comparing petrol versions, fuel costs are within £41 a year of each other at 7,500 miles, using typical official economy and current UK average fuel prices.
›Which is safer, the Volkswagen Polo Mk5 or the Skoda Fabia Mk3?
Euro NCAP gave the Volkswagen Polo Mk5 5 stars (2009) 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 Volkswagen Polo Mk5 or the Skoda Fabia Mk3?
Pick the Volkswagen Polo Mk5 for more performance, or the Skoda Fabia Mk3 for the bigger boot and the better MOT record. 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.