Hi,

lookin to buy a used Fabia 1.4 for a familly 2nd car......please help..

Its all happening a bit quick, I know its not a good idea to rush things when buying used, but I fly to Russia on sunday for my job, and our other car (old Micra was condemmed today by the MOT tester :-)

So, I had a look today at a Fabia as a cheap replacement. I know the guy who has it (local) so thats a start, its a;

Y reg, 1.4 Hatch in solid Blue.

83,000 miles, I years MOT,

Its bodily very straight, no surface rust..... he wants £950... (I think he will lower this tho)

SO, what do I need to look for,

Its an 8v motor, is it a VW unit?

Av fuel consumption?

Anything I need to look for, specific to this model ?

Really appreciate your experience here Guys n Galls ....!

( Oh, have just read the "stickies" that has helped a bit!)

Thanks

Yes it is a VW engine mostly found in Polos Lupos Ibizas. Head gaskets can be a problem on these engines so I hope you know how to check it, otherwise check it all over as you would any other car.

If you search for "faults" or "problems" you should fins some more stuff of use. A common theme will be leaking door seals, especially in the rear. Check the carpets for dampness. After all the wet weather we've been having it should be obvious if there is a problem.

No, its not a VW unit, its an old Skoda unit I thought (the 8v model, not the 16v) ? Had one for 6 years (from new) and 65k and it was fine, but....

1) Fuel consumption hovered below 38mpg

2) Look for any signs of head gasket problems

3) Does it idle ok, I started to have problems with mine idling lumpily

4) Cam chains rattle a bit, shouldnt be a major issue but does make the engine sound noisy.

Cheers.

RBW.

Ive had an 8V (Skoda engine BTW - it can trace its roots back to the rear engined cars) for over 4 years and the engine has never missed a beat in all that time , on a run I can get mid 40s mpg and around town I get about 36 mpg. Watch out for leaky doors , leaking steering racks , PAS sensor , heater flap motors , rad fan switch leaking coolant , console bushes wear out too , as do the anti roll bar bushes.