USED Skoda Fabia Hatchback (00 - 07)

My car

BOUGHT THE VRS BRAND NEW 2 MONTHS AGO. ALL I CAN SAY IS ITS QUAILTY FROM TOP TO BOTTOM.

FRIENDS OF MINE HAVE VW GOLFS, BUT THEY CANNOT MATCH THIS CAR FOR BUILD QUALITY.

YOU COULD REBADGE THIS CAR A AUDI, AND NO ONE INSIDE THE CAR WOULD QUESTION YOU.

ENONOMY IS FANTASTIC FOR A HOT HATCH (50MPG), AND BELIEVE ME IT IS HOT.

ON THE ROAD, AT A PRICE OF £12000, ITS A BARGAIN TOO GOOD TO BE MISSED .

ALL IN ALL FANTASTIC...

My car

This is one of the most unreliable cars I have ever owned (and I've had a few duff ones over the years).

My Fabia 1.4 hatchback has had problems over the first three years since we purchased it from new:

1. The console warning lights were set off by airport radar (insufficient shielding on the electrical cabling in the Fabia) - this has happened regularly over a three-year period. You have to visit a main dealer to get the warning lights re-set each time this happens (sigh!)

2. Intermitent starting problems.

3. Coolant leaks, which the main dealer has been unable to trace.

4. Fuel pump failure.

5. Strange electrical problems - the electric window controls will suddenly operate different windows.

It's a comfortable ride, but for a car which was voted 'Car Of The Year' when it was launched, I am extremely disappointed with it and as a result of my experiences with the Fabia I will not be buying another Skoda.

My car

I think you are over generous with this car. Having driven and liked a previous model Polo, I thought the Fabia was a good bet, based on the reviews and general opinion.

My initial impression was of a very bland and unappealing dashboard and a poor equipment levels.

I found it nigh impossible to find a comfortable driving position and found the car pretty underpowered, which is surprising as my current car is a 1.0 56bhp Corsa.

I found the dealer very pushy and was determined to sell me a pre-registered 1.2 12V, while I wanted to test and enquire about the 1.4.

When I arrived for my test-drive, I was informed I couldn't drive the 1.4 and only the 1.2 was available. There was no discount available on the pre-registered vehicle, it had a little extra kit and I felt hassled. I was unimpressed with the car and the dealer.

My car

I have done 17,000 miles in two years in this car, which involved long motorway journeys from Glasgow to Manchester to and fro up to three times a month.

My Fabia was never ever let me down, it drives very nicely at high speed and is a very comfortable cruiser on motorways.

I drive 1.4 lt 8-valve version, which is low on power but otherwise very nice and comforatble to drive.

I have driven my wife's Merc-A class and sister-in-law's Polo, but the Fabia is much better to drive and they also agree on this.

This is a very practical car with excellent economy and wonderful to drive. No complains.