Naulochus

Thanks for replying It might be because they know I'm pretty attached to the car and unlikely to let it go unless they can really definitively say it would be dangerous to continue. I'm not sure if weather and salt could contribute? I'm up in Scotland - so a lot of rain and a good couple of months where they salt the roads a lot.

Thanks for replying His actual words were 'I'm afraid you'll go over a speed bump and the suspension will drop out of the car, or that if that you were to be in a bump and someone hit the back of the car it wouldn't provide the protection it's supposed to'. Iirc, I think it was corrosion under the car?

So - I have a 2002 Skoda Fabia. The garage has been warning me for the last couple of years that it was probably getting to the time where I would need a new car, but I've stubbornly hunted down replacement parts and got the repairs done to keep it going. I put it in for a lookover a few weeks ahead of its MOT, and the garage have advised calling it a day, giving me the following list: Advise- o/s/r road wheel corroded inside ( leaking) Chassis corroded at n/s/r suspension mtg (weld) Rear axle mtg bushes worn Excess free travel at h/brake Advise various oil leaks underside of car Brake pedal fluctuating Engine management light on The windows are also erratic, but I didn't tell them that when I handed it in for the lookover because I was hoping it would get through the MOT. The corrosion seems to be what's worrying them the most. They said they could patch it up, but it would be patching. This was my first car after my test, and I'm honestly heartbroken at the prospect of letting it go, so I'd really appreciate some objective advice from people knowledgeable about the car. Anything would be appreciated.

Hi Stewart - I'm based in Glasgow.

Fantastic - thank-you!

Hi Wondering if anyone might be able to help me source one of these - second-hand would be fine. The car is in the garage getting work done on it, and they're having difficulties getting hold of one. Thanks in advance for any help

Short of shrinking myself down to Borrower size - is there actually a way to change the indicator bulb on the passenger side of the car? It seems to be completely blocked by the battery. Am I better conceding defeat and going to Halfords?

Very many thanks to all. I didn't want to let my heart rule my head - but from what you've all said my car isn't a lost cause just yet. I'll contact the garage and ask if the catalyst is ok or not, and likely make the call based on that.

Thanks for replying I think the lambda reading thing has come up before. They said they're not too worried about that. The handbrake thing tends to come up consistently too. I think their argument is that the advisories are risky to drive with and are going to fail soon - which would mean more money, so they think just move on. I've been quoted about 400 for the 'repair immediately' ones and told that the bulk of the cost was coming from the parts. I talked to someone else who said that they could do the advisories for me much more cheaply. I'm based in Scotland. I just feel that the car feels like it runs fine. It always starts. It shakes a bit towards 70 - but I'm not on the mway too much. It drove perfectly during all the snow we had in the Beast from the East. I've driven more modern cars that I liked much less.

I have a 2002 Skoda Fabia which just failed its MOT. I've had lots of advice to just get a new car - but I really like my Fabia and want to keep it if I practically can. I was wondering if anyone would be willing to give some advice on what they would do? It's a Fabia Classic (68 BHP) 1397cc petrol manual. The mileage is 112,656. The MOT fails are as follows: Repair immediately (major defects): Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i)) Offside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a)) Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c)) Exhaust system insecure (6.1.2 (a)) Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a)) Offside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a)) Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories): Rear exhaust heat shield insecure Power steering pipe/hose slightly corroded (2.1.5 (g) (i)) Offside Front wing corroded Offside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i)) Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i)) Nearside Front Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i)) Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Many thanks to you both. Unfortunately, there was no way to carefully get the bonnet up, mogwye - the breakdown service came out and the guy had to essentially yank the thing up pretty hard. Once this was done - it was liberally lubricated with grease as you suggested, KenONeill.

Wondering if anyone might be able to help. I was checking my levels this afternoon. Dropped the bonnet as normal, but instead of dropping fully and locking, it's stuck loosely open - but with the little handle at the front having shot back inside. I can prise the handle out a little if I go at it with a screwdriver - but can't pull it out to release the bonnet again. Any ideas? I can't be the first person to have done this. It's stuck at approximately the same height as when you pull the cabin lever to release it - but with the little handle at the front being uncooperative.

Just wanted to say thank-you so much to Tech1e - the garage fitted the part you sent and the car is running perfectly. :clap:

Wino - thank-you very much, that's a kind offer - but I'm located up in Scotland, so maybe a bit too far I'm not anywhere near technically-minded or proficient enough for this. It was never an issue before I had a car, but it is starting to frustrate me now when things go wrong and I have no idea how/why it's happening, let alone how to fix it. I'm trying to learn more as I go Tech1e - that would be fantastic. I can't send you any pms as a new member - but would you maybe send me a message with details of price, etc? I understand, too, that the part numbers have to match? If I have details, then I can get in touch with the garage about fitting it.

Thanks so much for all the replies: Wino - Your friend's problem sounds identical to mine. I'm tempted to get one of the cheaper ones from ebay and - if it doesn't work, chalk it up to experience and get the more expensive one. sepulchrave - Your idea about short journeys flattening it was what the garage initially suspected too. It was fully recharged by them in the afternoon, and then absolutely dead by the next morning. Likewise, the glove compartment light and boot light were both checked. Tech1e - You're right, it's the central electrics control module.