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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

The Fabis is a brilliant, grown-up car that's still unfairly overlooked by badge snobs

Used Skoda Fabia Saloon 2000 - 2007

The Fabia was great value for money when it was new and, because Skodas don't hold their value as well as other Volkswagen Group cars, it makes an even better prospect as a used buy.

The majority of the engines give very strong fuel economy, so running costs won't be huge, either, especially as insurance costs are a big plus point, with every model sitting in groups 3 or 5.

Servicing costs will be similar to what you'll pay for a VW Polo or a Seat Ibiza, but the Skoda will be a tiny bit cheaper to maintain. You may pay a bit more than Corsa or Fiesta owners, though.

The Fabis is a brilliant, grown-up car that's still unfairly overlooked by badge snobs

If you go for a Fabia saloon rather than the hatchback, you'll have far fewer models to choose from. Not only did the saloon sell in far lower numbers, only a small portion of the hatch's engine range was available.

There's only one petrol engine, a 1.4. As in the hatch, it came with either 75 or 100bhp, but the less powerful version came with an automatic gearbox, so we'd avoid it and go for the more powerful version instead. Alternatively, you could go for a diesel, but as it's the sluggish 1.9 SDI, we wouldn't bother.

As for trims, it's simple - there's no choice. Each engine came with just one trim, so all you can do is to shop around for a car with some options fitted.

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Spacious enough for four adults to sit comfortably</li> <li>Logically laid-out interior that doesn’t</li> <li>feel too cheap</li> <li>Mature driving manners </li> <li>Decent-sized boot</li> <li>Competitive buying and running costs</li></ul>

Small cars, or superminis as they’re also known, used to be bought almost exclusively as first cars or by people with no children – but the likes of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/fiesta/hatchback/review/n106">Ford Fiesta</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/ibiza/hatchback/review/n17359">Seat Ibiza</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/polo/hatchback/review/n83">Volkswagen Polo</a> have grown to the point where they can be considered all-round family transport, albeit with the odd compromise.

Small

Skodas are now the least problematic European cars you can buy. What's more, if your car does go wrong, repairs are fairly cheap. This is because parts aren't expensive and Skoda mechanics usually do a reasonably quick job at a fair price.

There are some things to look for, though, and in particular you should check the footwells for dampness. Water can drip in through the air vent intakes when they get blocked. But, it's easy to fix, as clearing the blockage and ensuring the filter is properly sealed should cure it.

Keep an eye on coolant levels, too, because one of the hoses has a habit of dislodging and leaking. This can cause engine damage if the coolant levels are allowed to get too low.

If you go for the 1.4, check the timing belt tensioner, because it can break early. There have also been some head gasket failures on the 75bhp 1.4, so check the coolant for oil, and for water under the oil filler cap - both signs of trouble.

Some buyers still won't touch a Skoda because of a perceived downmarket reputation. It's the buyer's loss, though, because Skoda no longer builds cheaply made, ramshackle cars, and hasn't for some time.

Even the earliest Fabias were constructed after the company's rebirth as part of the VW Group empire, so anyone who buys one is getting a quality product. Mechanically, it's pretty much the same as a Volkswagen Polo of the same era, and yet the Fabia is more reliable, just as classy and better to drive.

The Fabia gives an outstanding balance between ride and handling. It may not be as much fun as a Ford Fiesta, but it's agile enough. The ride is great and refinement is excellent, making the Fabia a very relaxing drive.

Interior space is impressive, with enough room for five adults, while the cabin is classy and solid, if a bit drab. Build quality is top-drawer and, best of all, the car's cheap to buy and run.

Used Skoda Fabia Saloon 2000 - 2007 reliability

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Used Skoda Fabia Saloon 2000 - 2007 review

Skodas are now the least problematic European cars you can buy. What's more, if your car does go wrong, repairs are fairly cheap. This is because parts aren't expensive and Skoda mechanics usually do a reasonably quick job at a fair price.,There are some things to look for, though, and in particular you should check the footwells for dampness. Water can drip in through the air vent intakes when they get blocked. But, it's easy to fix, as clearing the blockage and ensuring the filter is properly sealed should cure it.,Keep an eye on coolant levels, too, because one of the hoses has a habit of dislodging and leaking. This can cause engine damage if the coolant levels are allowed to get too low.If you go for the 1.4, check the timing belt tensioner, because it can break early. There have also been some head gasket failures on the 75bhp 1.4, so check the coolant for oil, and for water under the oil filler cap - both signs of trouble.

What to look for when buying a Skoda Fabia 2000 - 2007, covering common problems to check for and overall vehicle reliability.

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Used Skoda Fabia Saloon 2000 - 2007 reliability

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