I bought a 2001(Y) 1.4 Skoda Fabia Elegance a few months back. I couldn't test drive it as there had been a previous backfire problem. This was sorted, and when I picked it up to take home it was fine. Then I realised the air con didn't work, after complaining about it I was told to book it in to be sorted. I took it in and was told it was a quick job, being out of town I decided to hang around town, hours later and no phone call I went back to be told they need it longer. I rebooked it, couldnt find the fault. booked it in again and again. After 4 times they worked it out and sent me to a skoda dealer (royce roberts hull) to have it done about 2 weeks. They did it quickly, but since then there has been water leaking into the passenger footwell from somewhere behind the right hand side of the glovebox. The car also had a strange smell whilst driving, I initially thought the smell was petrol but am now not so sure, however I am certain the smell is coming from the air con blowers. Is the smell something that is likely to occur when air con has been fixed? Also is it likely the the skoda people caused the leak in when repairing? It does seem rather coincidental.

I have also noticed that one of the covers for the headlight wires has disappeared, it was definately there when I bought it but is not there now, where can I get a replacement?

The car also seems to struggle to start fairly often, and it also shudders when starting an stopping the engine.

Also how cold should the air con feel? I've never had air con so can't be certain if it's working properly even now.

I was so excited to be trading in my old micra for a 'better' car, and bought this based on recommendations for reliability, I'm regretting my decision.

Welcome to Briskoda

Always test everything before buying and have a proper test drive REGARDLESS of the badge on the front or what mag reviews say not all cars are the same and that goes for all Fabias.

Who are "they"?

Was this a private sale?

Air con should be cold (if you've ever sat under an office A/C unit blowing cold all the time you'll know how cold is cold) may need a regas or they could be a leak.

The smell could be dirty vents, a/c systems need a good cleaning out.

It wasn't private, I got it from Humber Motors in Hull.

Re-your headlamp cover, mine also dissappeared but it was lodged on top of the plastic undershield and was discovered when it went in for a service - worth having a look around for.

DB.

Also about the a/c

My cousin has a Fabia Comfort

The a/c wasn't blowing as cold as it usually was and a garage said that there was prob a leak.

A garaghe showed him that the condenser had a bolt stuck in it.

Skoda quoted £600 (theres a part in there that is also required) and another garage quoted just above £200.

But he's leaving it for now as he wants to go on holiday first.

If you bought it from a dealer, refuse to accept the car back until it's fixed properly. The smell / wetness is a bit of a concern, however that could be something that clears up if it was something that was spilled during the repair (old newspaper is very good for drying out carpets). Had problems with the air con in my wife's car when we got it. The dealer had it regassed, but it didn't fix the problem. This did, however, but I wouldn't go down the DIY route unless you reach deadlock with the dealer...

The struggling thing and lumpiness could be down to the the coolant temperature sensor (see here, plug plug plug ) although the low-tech origins of the 1.4 MPi mean that it won't be as refined as a modern engine - not that it isn't pretty good for what it is!

Hope you get it all sorted soon and can enjoy the car properly!

They didnt put the 1.4 8v into the Elegance

AFAIK it was just available in 1.4 16v and 1.9 TDI specs maybe even the 1.4TDI when that came out.

They didnt put the 1.4 8v into the Elegance

AFAIK it was just available in 1.4 16v and 1.9 TDI specs maybe even the 1.4TDI when that came out.

Fair enough - don't know much about the 1.4 16v to say what might be up with it...

I have received this explanation of the smell and leak from the garage that fixed the air con.

"As per our telephone conversation with reference to your vehicle and the smell and water leak that has now developed.

When the vehicle was presented to us the air flap position cable was missing, this would cause the flap to be in one position and stop air flow from the pollen filter from behind the glove box.

Now the cable is fitted the air flap will now move, this could then allow flow from the pollen filter, if this filter is wet and blocked this will give a pungent smell through the air con heating and ventilation system, also if the pollen filter housing is not sealing there can be water ingress through this from behind the glove box area as the air flap now moves to allow flow from the pollen filter."

On the phone the man suggested it was a fault when I got the car but wasn't a problem as the air con did not work, but now it does it is. He also sais it's a fairly big job. I am correct in thinking that I can tell the people I bought the wreck (oops I mean car) from that they have to fix it under the sale of goods act, as I did with the air con initially? Also given the fact that it took constant repeat trips and bridge tolls (£5.40 per visit) due to their incompetence, could I go elsewhere and send them the bill???

/\ You'll have to check your warranty bumpf in the first instance (normally you can get the work done anywhere as long as the warranty company approves it first, though). If that doesn't work, have a read through this before deciding what to do next...

I bought a 2001(Y) 1.4 Skoda Fabia Elegance a few months back. I couldn't test drive it as there had been a previous backfire problem. This was sorted, and when I picked it up to take home it was fine. Then I realised the air con didn't work, after complaining about it I was told to book it in to be sorted. I took it in and was told it was a quick job, being out of town I decided to hang around town, hours later and no phone call I went back to be told they need it longer. I rebooked it, couldnt find the fault. booked it in again and again. After 4 times they worked it out and sent me to a skoda dealer (royce roberts hull) to have it done about 2 weeks. They did it quickly, but since then there has been water leaking into the passenger footwell from somewhere behind the right hand side of the glovebox. The car also had a strange smell whilst driving, I initially thought the smell was petrol but am now not so sure, however I am certain the smell is coming from the air con blowers. Is the smell something that is likely to occur when air con has been fixed? Also is it likely the the skoda people caused the leak in when repairing? It does seem rather coincidental.

I have also noticed that one of the covers for the headlight wires has disappeared, it was definately there when I bought it but is not there now, where can I get a replacement?

The car also seems to struggle to start fairly often, and it also shudders when starting an stopping the engine.

Also how cold should the air con feel? I've never had air con so can't be certain if it's working properly even now.

I was so excited to be trading in my old micra for a 'better' car, and bought this based on recommendations for reliability, I'm regretting my decision.

Hi , have you been back to speak to royce roberts about these problems, if not speak to the master tech and he should sort it for you.