Hi, I have a 2004 fabia VRS. Owned it since Sept 2007.

Not had any problems at all until just before Christmas.

First of all the bulbs kept blowing. It started with the rear indicator, drivers side. Changed that. A few days later drivers headlight went, changed that. Then the indicator went again a week or so later, followed by the rear light, same side.

At the moment, thanks to lack of choice at garage, I have a clear bulb in the rear indicator, no rear light and a new bulb in the headlight.

I have never had so many bulbs blow in a car, even ones I have owned for 3 years.

Since the weather has gotten cold, ie ; the last week, my car has warned me in the morning that the water was frozen with the 3 beeps. However, the level is fine and so is the coolant? It isn't over heating or anything though and you can turn the car off after a 5 min drive and back on, its fine! (and the engine is nowhere near warm).

Also, same thing, since the cold, windscreen wipers at fron stopped working twice in a few days. I never use the wipers to de-ice the window, made sure the windscreen was clear etc. They worked fine, but after driving along, they died! fuse replaced first time, but they went again today and not replaced since.

Is my car going mad? I am seriously losing confidence in it and on the verge of selling.

Also, I need to front tyres, getting mental prices appx £90-100 each (!!!!! - my dads tyres on his Jag cost less!!!) because they are an odd size (even though they are standard). Any advice what they SHOULD cost?

Many thanks, Samantha

I always change bulbs in pairs, don't know if it really helps or am I just crazy, but it seems that changing the bulbs in pairs makes them both last a lot longer..

Once I had to change the rear light only from the driver side (only had 1 spare bulb at the time) and after a week the bulb went dead - changed the pair and now they've worked fine for a few months :P

So I'm probably being superstitious but it works for me

Also I've noticed that when one bulb goes out, others follow :P Once a year a few bulbs die and I change almost every bulb and have no problems after that

What comes to windscreen wipers, the fuse pops every now and then, I believe every Fabia has that "feature" integrated into them

It could be that your alternator is overcharging. If you have one yourself, you can check the voltage over the positive and negative terminals with a voltmeter. ALternatively you could get a garage to do it for you

with regards to tyres, i paid 64 each for toyo t1r's 3 months ago

Samantha,

I can symphathise ( if thats how you spell it ) with all your problems. I have had the same, and more. There is a " fix " for most problems. The coolant warning level ( which i have now its fffrreezing! ) is down to the sensor in the coolant tank. The wiper problem, which i have just had, is down to the fuse blowing, usually because of frozen parts in the washer system, especially having an incorrect mixture of screenwas additive in. The tyres, well theres not much you can do about that but there will be cheaper alternatives available.

Just think it could be worse. My car needs console bushes, two new tyres and has recently developed a few annoyiong rattles. I keep saying i am going to sell it but when i get in it and drive it, i love it.

Keep the faith in your car and hopefully it will be rewarding.

If you search online you will find tyres much cheaper, you can pick Toyo Proxes up for £60-£70. Try Rimstyle Autodesign Ltd / Styling and Tuning Specialists

could also be earthing problems for so many bulbs to be blowing , make sure all terminals and earth points are secure and clean

cheap bulbs from the local garage is not always the best policy , at least if you can get them from the dealer they will be off a certain standard

Mytyres have tyres for less than £40 for the VRS , how good/bad they are is anybodies guess

in the last 3-4 months i've had...

new engine mounts

new arb

new clutch

cam belt

2 bulbs

fuse

rear nearside door unlocks only when it feels like it

creaky suspension

popped off rear jet pipe

2 new tyres

could be worse

try UK tyres online: Blackcircles.co.uk discount tyre specialist for your tyres... order my 2 toyo proxies from there for about 60 notes each fully fitted. bout the cheapest you'll get without budgets

Like Ric said, cheap bulbs can be the problem, lots about and they are useless.

With the beeping i'm assuming its not the cold temp warning? Failing that its probably the low level warning which is explained elsewhere, common fault.

Fuse 15 for the wipers is also well covered, they fit the wrong fuse soit blows, this may be your problem if the have stopped working.

You're being ripped on the tyres.

I picked up 2 front ones for £49 each including fitting and balancing.

Try local indepedents not national chains, or even the internet.

Try blackcircles.com for tyres, you can buy online and book a fitting at a local fitter. They have a range of tyres from the cheapest to the most expensive to fit any budget.

I don't care if my VRS throws a wobbly, it will be fixed so I can enjoy the grin factor.

Avoid bulbs by Ring, they are pants. Try Osram or Philips. Blackcircles for tyres every time for me.

In 2005 my 'other' car (Morris Traveller) has a diff, 2 gearboxes and a clutch, alternator, battery, starter motor, suspension bushes, fuse box, horn push, and had to replace valve stem oil seals. Despite that I still love it.

If it's got boobs or wheels, it will give you problems. (Sorry Ladies.)