Advice for buyers
What should I look for in a used Skoda Fabia estate?
As our most recent reliability survey found out, Skodas are the most reliable European cars you can buy.
If problems do occur, repair costs are usually fairly cheap. Parts aren't expensive, and Skoda mechanics will do a reasonable job at a fair price.
One of the few things to keep an eye on is the coolant levels. One of the hoses can dislodge and the resulting leak can wreck the engine if left untreated.
The 75bhp version of the 1.4 is also quite prone to head gasket failure, and this is very costly to repair. Check the coolant for oil, and for water under the oil filler cap. These are both signs of trouble.
Water can leak into the footwells through the air vent intakes when they get clogged with fallen leaves, so check the carpets in the front for signs of dampness. However, the problem is easily fixed: clearing the blockage and ensuring that the filter is properly sealed should do the job.
