Used Skoda Fabia 2015 - present review

Although its residual values are strong, the Fabia is not an overly expensive car new, so used examples represent good value. Prices for this generation start at around £6000, at the time of writing, for an early 2015 example with the 1.0 60 or 75 naturally aspirated engines. While not the quickest cars, these two versions are fast enough, especially in town, and they are economical. Here you’ll be looking at a car with a full service history, from an independent dealer, and an average mileage for the year.

Step up to between £7000 and £9000 and you’ll find 2016 models from a franchised dealer, with a full history and often lower-than-average miles. Meanwhile, £9000 to £11,000 buys you a 2016 or 2017 car, from a Skoda dealer, with a low mileage and possibly the option of one of the higher trim levels.

The most frugal petrol engines in the line-up are the more recently introduced turbocharged 94bhp and 109bhp 1.0-litre units, which replaced the 1.2-litre option. Both have the same official average fuel economy figure of 64.2mpg, and they’re well worth the extra initial outlay, if you can track one of them down. Having said that, if you drive mostly in town, you'll still enjoy the naturally aspirated 1.0-litre engines, in outputs of 59 and 74bhp respectively. The diesels come in 75, 90 and 105 versions of the same 1.4-litre engine, producing 74, 89 and 104bhp respectively. The 75 and 90 are the most economical, with an official average of 72.4mpg, while the 105 sacrifices a little more cash at the pumps for a quicker turn of speed.

Servicing costs are moderate. A fixed-price servicing plan is offered, with the Fabia alternating between interim and major services every year or 10,000 miles. An interim service costs £159 and a major one £259.

Insuring the Fabia won’t cost a fortune, either, with insurance groups starting from group 3.