I don't want to seem contentious, but I've just returned from a 70k service with my 8 valve 1.4MPI and feel fed up. Apparently there are 'signs the head gasket is going', for which they'd want £5-700, and 'the antiroll bar needs replacing and a new bush'. Apparently a disc on the bar is giving way, allowing the bar to move into the bush.

Firstly, I'd have thought if the gasket was going, it would have gone; I know it's not operating at diesel compressions, but when asked what the signs were, the receptionist said oil in the coolant or vice versa. Well I saw nothing untoward when I checked the oil just befopre taking it in. Secondly, apparently, they are known for this, and the roll bar problem.

Question 1) Can gaskets go 'gradually'. Within a couple of sentences, I was being told of trade-in prices and being shown a second hand Octavia.

Question 2) I do feel jinxed by mechanical things, though I'm not an idiot, and did once stretch to restoring an Austin 7 tourer. Have I contributed towards blowing the engine by sometimes 80mph drives once a week or every two weeks from London to Portsmouth? Our other car is a 1.8 Sport MX5, so although I sometimes tootle, I also like going fastish.

Do I ditch our beloved Fabia fast or what?

Maybe at that mileage you should be considering using a VAG indie - the ARB does seem to be a problem especially if the car is a "before 2004" model, and the TCA rear bushes do tear - maybe get a VAG indie to look over the car and if he thinks the gasket thing is not a problem let him have a look at the ARB and the TCA bushes as doing these two jobs at the same time will save money in the long term.

The receptionist is right - so what did they find? Do you have water in the oil (try a lit match to the end of the dipstick for spluttering)? Is the coolant level changing? Is there oil in the coolant? Can you see marks around the cylinder head gasket location? Did they do a compression test? and if so what did they find? You can do these checks yourself, but, if dubious, an independent recommended by a local will soon check it out. I hope that they were trying to con you.

Thanks for the thoughts. Second opinion found just discernible oil smear in the neck of the coolant resevoir. So, yes, of course the mechanic coiuld have dropped a teaspoon of oil down there, but on the basis of liklihood, we're gonig out looking at nearly new 80bhp diesels (not the Greenline though). At £35 road tax and a lot more miles to the tankful, that's got to be the answer. Our old one leaks as much as our boat and gets through suspension bushes like no tomorrow; plus of course the gasket's going.....is there anything we should look out for?

The head gasket is a well known issue on the 1.4 with modified gaskets available. Oil transfer into the coolant is the most common symptom along with the coolant level light coming on due to contamination.

The arbs are also a issue, all well documented.

DON'T trust them, make sure you get a 2nd opinion from elsewhere.

My 53 plate VRS was in back in January when I needed a bonnet sensor, while it was there I was told the same roll bar/bush thing along with a load of other things totalling around £600.

Luckily for me my uncle has his own garage, so took it to him for its service. He checked all the things and NONE of them needed fixing.

I think times are hard for dealers in sales so they are trying to make money elsewhere.

Take it to an indie.