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Skoda Fabia?

Mullardman

Moderately extreme...
I think Mrs Mull has finally accepted that her 19 year old Fiat Punto has had it...since latest MOT demands welding up of seat belt mounts and more...

So.. I'm looking to get something for her. Something half decent around a couple of £k, give or take. Half decent 5 door hatch with a few years left in it. IOW, a classic 'runabout' (I don't have Seeker's 'First World Problems'...)

Best I've seen so far is a very tidy '09 Fabia at about the right price. Having a closer look tomorrow, but I think it's the 3 cylinder engine. Hardly overpowered, but should be adequate for Mrs Mull's 'staid' style of driving. I believe that engine has timing chain..which is generally a plus.

Thing is, checking out numerous examples of this model online, shows wildy differing prices which seem to hint at more than just mileage differences. Is the market that crazy at the moment?

Also..any known issues I should consider?
 
https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/skoda/fabia-2007

Have a look here. Also has an owners review section.

Driven the same engine in a VW Up! There were 2 states of tune at 60 and 75 bhp. Both non turbo and both were fine, even though I like power.

Very worthy cars and dealer network great.

Used car market is crazy. Too many highly priced cars and some dodgy ones getting shifted in the craziness.

At your price point, look at condition and service history. Will your good lady do low mileage? If so, don't be scared of a higher mileage example.

Check it's mot history on the gov website. A long mot would also be nice.

Check it's had a cambelt and pulleys done, especially at that age.

They are decent cars and if you have seen a bargain, and it stacks up, get it before someone else does.
 
Good Morning All,

We've had a Skoda Fabia Estate (1.6TDi) for 3 1/2yrs now, it is a 2013 year model. No real issues.

I do need to get some lubrication of the clutch shaft mechanism though as it has a habit of 'sticking' and I have to get my foot under the pedal to bring it back to where it should be.

Driver's door window switches are 'iffy', I suspect some contact cleaner might be required. This might be partly due to lack of use as it is our second car and only tends to get used when a journey is beyond the range of the Zoe or to drag the trailer to the tip.

We get 46mpg out of it on average.

Regards

Richard
 
Thanks chaps. It seems the basic message is that the Fabia is not a 'clunker'.
I think it's the 60 BHP or whatever, engine. She'll probably notice that as FIAT do tend to have fairly sporty and free revving engines. The old Punto 1.2 16v despite its age and crumbliness still has a surprisingly good turn of speed, is probably lighter, and has about 80 BHP.

Looked at the Fabia's MOT record. Lots of fails, but none for anything major, usually a lamp out or worn wiper blades etc..usually fixed same day. Does point maybe to lack of owner care..so I'll be looking very closely today. Currently MOT'd to next Aug. Could of course just be getting to the stage when steering links, shockers et.al. start to go.. but I suppose you can't legislate for that. It is what it is.
As I said above, the three Cyl. engine has a timing chain..so no belt to worry about, but maybe needs checking/ adjusting after 73k miles? Will need to see service history. I never worry about the chain on my Civic, but I'm aware there are chains..and chains.

Off for a closer look shortly.
 
Good Morning All,

We've had a Skoda Fabia Estate (1.6TDi) for 3 1/2yrs now, it is a 2013 year model. No real issues.

I do need to get some lubrication of the clutch shaft mechanism though as it has a habit of 'sticking' and I have to get my foot under the pedal to bring it back to where it should be.
Does it do this all the time, or only in certain circumstances? I had a similar experience in my Audi A2 Tdi 90, which is a variant of the 3-pot 1.4 litre turbodiesel (somewhat different to the one used in the Fabia, I think - it has a cambelt, for starters). In my case, it used to happen on long-ish right hand bends, and occasionally roundabouts.
 
very tidy '09 Fabia

Just a quickie, Mull, as I have a '59 3 cylinder Fabia estate. It's diesel (didn't know they did 3 C petrol at the time). Mine's an 80 h.p. model, HAS A TIMING BELT, is a great little wagon and does 50-55 mpg. Quite perky, too. More info later if you want.
 
The gearboxes are prone to bearing wear (Youtube channel The Savage Garage did a series on a 3-cylinder Fabia where the gearbox bearings were replaced, worth a watch). Otherwise a decent small car AFAIK
 
Never mind that - get a 911!


(Hey, it seems to happen on every car thread here, so I figure I’d get it over with now...)

Seriously, the Fabias are generally pretty solid cars, and Skoda is the only VW Group brand I’d be prepared to spend my own money to buy a car from. My sister-in-law ran a previous generation (but built on the same platform) to the one you’re looking at for something like 12 years, and she would still be driving it if it wasn’t for the London ULEZ not allowing it anymore.

I had one of the ones you’re considering as a rental for a couple of weeks a few years back, and I’d never call it “nippy”. Coming from a Punto Mk2 it will definitely feel slower than it is: the Fabia is a bit heavier than a Mk2 Punto, has less power, and Skoda’s throttle mapping is set up for maximum economy, not acceleration, and makes the car feel slower than it really is.

But in its favour, they’re cheap to run, generally don’t break as often as the ones with an Audi/Volkswagen or SEAT badge on the front, and are fairly nicely sprung for a small car (The VW and especially Audi versions are way too stiff, trying to be “sporty”). I’d recommend it.
 
Does it do this all the time, or only in certain circumstances? I had a similar experience in my Audi A2 Tdi 90, which is a variant of the 3-pot 1.4 litre turbodiesel (somewhat different to the one used in the Fabia, I think - it has a cambelt, for starters). In my case, it used to happen on long-ish right hand bends, and occasionally roundabouts.

I'm not aware of any one particular manoeuvre that causes it.

Regards

Richard
 
It's a VW Polo in a Slovakian frock. Good cars. Get one without a turbo and you are done up to 15 years/150k miles, if you like it. There are other simple small hatches. I like the Fiesta if you stick to natasp, letrol, manual you can't really go wrong.
 
My friends fabia (petrol) had to have a new engine when not very old . They must like them as they just bought a fabia estate.
 
Jazz is a great car, very reliable and practical. I drove one for many years and SWMBO still does.
S/h prices are crazy though - for pretty much everything. But if the Punto is gooorn, then not much choice but to suck it up.
 
Jazz is a great car, very reliable and practical. I drove one for many years and SWMBO still does.
S/h prices are crazy though - for pretty much everything. But if the Punto is gooorn, then not much choice but to suck it up.
SH prices are indeed very buoyant. I'd be tempted to find a snotter for loose change to take you through the winter, then see what's in the settled down market. I'm fortunate though, I have a local dealer who specialises in the bottom end of the market, and I've had 5 cars from him. 2 great, 2 OK and only one dud. Even the dud did a year and only needed brake repairs and a belt tensioner.
 
Jazz or Yaris will be good. That Jazz looks a peach. I had a 2011 Fabia VRS. It had the engine replaced due to the excessive oil drinking of the twin charger. I think the 60hp 3 cylinder was only put on the most basic model. They’re good cars though. Mrs L has a 2010 Yaris, that’s been no trouble apart from needing a new exhaust. I blame all the short journeys she does. It was my parents before, they replaced the exhaust s as well.
 
So...thanks for the Yaris..and all that Jazz...and the 911.. :D I'm sure they are very fine cars. As it is Mrs Mull liked the Fabia in question. which is from a dealer I've done business with on and off for almost 40 years. No bodywork issues, all original kit present and correct. Everything works except driver side switch for passenger side window will drop, but not raise it. To be fixed before delivery. 'Just a switch' apparently. No other faults visible. Slight visible creasing to driver seat. Nothing worrying for a 10+ year old car. Extensive service history and it looks like may have been 'Motability' for at least part of its life. Not sure what that says. Rest of interior and boot spotless. Looks like a car used, but not abused, by one person. And it's been local all its life. It will do.
 
Does it do this all the time, or only in certain circumstances? I had a similar experience in my Audi A2 Tdi 90, which is a variant of the 3-pot 1.4 litre turbodiesel (somewhat different to the one used in the Fabia, I think - it has a cambelt, for starters). In my case, it used to happen on long-ish right hand bends, and occasionally roundabouts.

It has a hydraulic clutch. A sticking pedal will have been caused by a leaking Clutch Master Cylinder (above pedal; check for wetness and replace ASAP as the fluid will attack the carpet and foam) or a leaking Clutch Slave Cylinder which on the A2 is outside the Bell Housing.

I don't know about the VW Up/ Citigo and Mii versions.
 


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