Used Skoda Fabia Estate 2000 - 2007 review

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.