My 8 year old Fabia Vrs had its MOT and service in March 2014 - no problems!  However, I've noticed that I have to push hard on the brakes to get a response. I'm sure that I used very little pressure a couple of years ago to get an instant response.  Am I just getting old or should I get them checked?

Has the brake fluid been changed when it was serviced? Could be that they have not been bled properly and that's why you've noticed it now!

Check for leaks in the servo pipe. Known to go and can lead to some very scary moments !

 

Back of the engine bay, can be heard hissing from the outside with someone pressing the brake pedal.

As above servo pipe split or cracked! Sometimes can just go the same happened on my mk4 golf after I did the clutch the slightest knock cracked it!

Thanks for advice!  I'll visit the local garage to get it checked.  They've serviced my Fabia for quite a few years as they are part of the local taxi group which run an all-Skoda fleet and have the diagnostic kit for servicing.