USED Skoda Fabia Hatchback (00 - 07)

My car

Car was bought four months ago with 27k on the clock, and has now covered 30k miles.

Faults: Last owner obviously didn't do many motorway miles - I have and have noticed an alarming number of big stone chips appearing on the front end since I've owned the car - paint is way too soft, and front already looks worse than my previous 120k Mk4 Golf. Skoda badges are 'furring up', front and back - car is only three years old.

Usual water ingress problem from all four doors sorted under independent dealer warranty - Skoda UK not interested even though car had blatantly had this problem for sometime and within the original 3 year warranty period.

Stereo volume control has issues and sometimes doesn't fully eject CDs - excellent sound quality for a budget car though.

Drives nice bar tends to feel out of shape in motorway crosswinds due to soft ride.

Forget the claimed economy figures - never managed more than 53mpg, no matter how light with the throttle - 45 - 48mpg more usual.

Derisory PX values being offered, as thinking of changing already - seems dealers still shy away from the Skoda badge.

My car

I have my Fabia for 5 years now and I was please with it's performance and the cost of replacement and service. However, it's been in the shop now for 5 weeks with major problems. The service company does not know squat! One mechanic has told me I need a new throttle body which cost about US$1650.00 CRAZY!!! The car just started stalling during idle. I changed accelerator pedal, casket head, checked all sensors, checked ECU everything. If I get the throttle body I am selling it and getting a Japanese car because European Car experts is not readily available in the Caribbean.

My car

My Fabia is now 3.5 years old, out of warranty and showing alarming electrical problems.

When I try to lock the car the electric windows both come down. They can be closed by turning on the ignition but you still can't lock the car!

The alarm also has intermittent faults which mean it can sound as you are driving along, very spooky!

Quotes for electrical repairs are very expensive, I am seriously thinking about getting rid of the vehicle.

My car

This car has been reliable,in that it has never left me stranded, but certainly NOT economical.It seems that at every service there has been something that needed replacing.At 4 years old,& a week past expiry of the warranty,it needed a new radiator & it seems to have been downhill from there.I've spent nearly £1 600-00 on services in 2007!In February it was time to replace the cam-belt,which I knew would be costly–£593,81 incl £268,80 labour.Now 10,000 miles later,time for a routine service and MOT.All 4 tyres needed replacing as were incorrect size(not Skoda’s error)which added £150,00 to the bill.I waited 8 hrs for my car,and the bill was £991,43 incl £406,00 labour!How can labour for a routine service cost so much more than a labour intense service to change a cam-belt?To add insult to injury the garage had added a note that “cam-belt will need replacing soon”.It should last for 70 000 miles!I can't believe the bill-it's not as if I drive a Merc or a BMW!I will be getting rid of my Skoda at the first opportunity,but this has cost me dearly as I was informed,by the garage,that it is only worth £1,500-£1,900. I was tempted to tell them that they could keep the car and that I would walk home!If you’re considering buying a Skoda,THINK AGAIN!!