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One of the greatest success stories in the car world of recent decades is Skoda’s rise to become a hugely credible mainstream maker of good-value, good-sense cars.

Central to that success has been its place within the VW Group, alongside the Volkswagen brand itself, plus the likes of Seat and Audi. That has given it access to exactly the same underpinnings for its cars as the other brands, and it has complemented this by adding its own developments, from the way the cars drive and ride through to the features they have and the pricing.

The result is a range that extends from a city car to a large executive saloon, with family and large seven-seat SUVs too. There’s a wide variety of petrol and diesel engines, all of which are competitive for the class.

As a result, Skoda has a range of cars that is almost entirely class-leading or among the class leaders, and it has enjoyed long-time success at the What Car? Awards as a result.

SKODA

FABIA

One of the best supermini-based estate cars

Used Skoda Fabia Estate 2000 - 2007

The Fabia was great value for money when it was new, and it's just as good as a used buy, because it doesn't hold its value as well as other Volkswagen Group cars. The estate will cost you more than the hatch, but how much more depends on the age.

Although none of the petrol engines can better 40mpg in this estate, most of them get close, so fuel economy isn't bad. The diesel cars will both better 55mpg, though, and with its excellent performance the 1.9 TDI is definitely the one to go for.

This engine won't cost too much to insure, either, because it has a group 6 classification. The rest of the range sits in groups 4 and 5, with the exception of the 2.0 petrol in group 8.

Servicing costs will be the same as for the hatch, so you'll pay slightly less than owners of the VW Polo and Seat Ibiza, which are basically the same car.

One of the best supermini-based estate cars

Leave the smallest engines alone, because they can't cope with the estate's weight. The 75bhp 16-valve 1.4 is the smallest to provide decent performance, but another version of the same unit with 100bhp is much better. There's also a 2.0-litre petrol, but it's more expensive to run and insure.

Our favourite is the 1.9 TDI, which has fine performance because you get more pulling muscle than with the petrol engines, and excellent fuel economy. It's pricey in comparison with the smaller engines, but it's worth it. The other diesel, the 1.9 SDi, isn't. It doesn't have a turbo, so it's really sluggish.

Base Classic and Comfort trims do without air-conditioning, so we'd pay the extra and go for Elegance, which also gives you alloy wheels and four electric windows. However, if you can find Classic or Comfort models with chilled air fitted as an option, it may save you a bit of cash.

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Huge boot and excellent practicality</li> <li>Plenty of interior space so you can carry passengers as well as luggage </li> <li>Strong engines to pull a heavily laden car</li> <li>Comfortable ride, especially on the motorway</li> <li>Low running costs for company car drivers</li></ul>

If you’re after bags of space but you don’t want to commit to the van-like dimensions and styling of an MPV, there are some great estate cars on offer that should do the job.

Tricks to look out for include an electric tailgate&nbsp;that opens automatically when you wave your foot under the rear bumper; this is&nbsp;particularly handy if you’re trying to load in a heavy or&nbsp;bulky item. You should also look for handles in the side of the boot itself that can drop down the rear seats; these are much more convenient than having to walk around the side of the car to do it.

There are some terrific estates at most price ranges. The humble Skoda Fabia Estate offers cavernous space for not much cash at all, for example.

Further up the price range, another of our perennial favourites is the Skoda Superb Estate;&nbsp;it’s great to drive and as practical as most people should ever need. Meanwhile, for serious mile-munching ability and a premium, well-finished interior, it’s hard to look beyond the BMW 5 Series Touring.

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.

We love the Fabia hatchback. It was our Supermini of the Year not long ago, and even now it's still an excellent car.

However, estate car buyers who haven't been put off by the badge may be put off by the car's tiny dimensions. They shouldn't be. The estate is every bit as well built and good to drive as the hatchback, but it doubles the capacity for luggage. It's not the biggest in its class, but you'll be surprised how much it can carry.

As well as that, there's enough room to seat five adults in comfort. Some may accuse the cabin of being dull, but it's easy to use and, like the rest of the car, it's sturdily built.

The drive is good, too. The Fabia strikes an excellent balance between ride and handling, with refinement that puts many bigger cars to shame.

Used Skoda Fabia Estate 2000 - 2007 review

Why the overall winner won

Best small SUV

Best family car

Best small electric car

Best luxury car

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Leave the smallest engines alone, because they can't cope with the estate's weight. The 75bhp 16-valve 1.4 is the smallest to provide decent performance, but another version of the same unit with 100bhp is much better. There's also a 2.0-litre petrol, but it's more expensive to run and insure.,Our favourite is the 1.9 TDI, which has fine performance because you get more pulling muscle than with the petrol engines, and excellent fuel economy. It's pricey in comparison with the smaller engines, but it's worth it. The other diesel, the 1.9 SDi, isn't. It doesn't have a turbo, so it's really sluggish.,Base Classic and Comfort trims do without air-conditioning, so we'd pay the extra and go for Elegance, which also gives you alloy wheels and four electric windows. However, if you can find Classic or Comfort models with chilled air fitted as an option, it may save you a bit of cash.

Wondering what the best used Skoda Fabia 2000 - 2007 is for your money? The expert What Car? review team can help you out.

Car of the Year Awards 2023 >>

Used Skoda Fabia Estate 2000 - 2007 review

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