Skoda Fabia IV (PJ) (2021 – 2025)

Reliability score : 8.8/10

The fourth-generation Skoda Fabia (code name PJ) marks a major turning point for the Czech city car. Finally based on the Volkswagen group's modular MQB-A0 platform (shared with the Polo VI and Ibiza V), it has grown considerably to exceed 4.10 meters, offering record interior space and a 380-liter boot worthy of the segment above. ⚠️ CRUCIAL POINT REGARDING DIESEL: Although your search targets a diesel engine, Skoda has definitively removed the diesel (TDI) offering from the Fabia starting with this 4th generation. The B-segment (city cars) has seen diesel disappear due to anti-pollution standards (Euro 6d / Euro 7) making depollution systems (SCR/AdBlue) too expensive for this vehicle size. This report therefore focuses on explaining this absence and exhaustively details the petrol engin

✅ Strengths

Rear passenger space and boot volume (380L) worthy of the segment above (Golf 8).
Excellent overall reliability thanks to the use of petrol engines (EA211 evo) extensively proven by the VW group.
Interior ergonomics retaining physical controls for air conditioning (unlike the Polo or Golf).
Significantly improved sound insulation compared to the previous generation.
"Simply Clever" features (umbrella in the door, ice scraper in the fuel filler flap, multiple storage compartments).

⚠️ Weaknesses

Total absence of diesel engines (penalizing for very high-mileage drivers).
No hybrid offering (not even mild MHEV), which limits fuel consumption reduction in pure city driving.
Hard plastics omnipresent on the lower parts of the cabin and door panels.
DSG7 gearbox (DQ200) still a bit hesitant at very low speeds or in traffic jams.
Frequent software bugs on the infotainment system (black screens, unexpected reboots) requiring OTA or dealership updates.

🎯 Verdict

The Skoda Fabia IV is undoubtedly one of the most rational and accomplished city cars on the market. Its transition to the MQB-A0 platform gives it road-car performance. However, if you are absolutely looking for a diesel, you must look elsewhere: Skoda has made the choice (logical for the segment) to abandon it. To compensate, the 1.0 TSI petrol engines (95 or 110 hp) are remarkably economical (often under 5.5 L/100 km on the road) and show excellent reliability, with the early issues of the EA211 family having been corrected long ago. Our buying advice: Forget diesel and opt for a 1.0 TSI 95 hp manual gearbox version for the best price/reliability/versatility ratio, or the 1.0 TSI 110 hp if you do a lot of highway driving. If you are a very high-mileage driver (more than 30,000 km/year) and diesel is non-negotiable, turn to a Renault Clio V 1.5 Blue dCi.