Hi folks,

I'm looking for some advice on a Fabia.

Our is a 56' plate 1.2 classic, we've owned it from new, it mainly does town driving (normally in uncongested roads) and it's done a dozen or so motorway runs to my work with breaking to roundabouts from 70mph. Currently the mileage is 6000.

The brakes are still appalling on it.

I'm sure they should have bedded in by now but they just seem to be no different from the day we bought the car. Does anyone know if this is potentially a fault with the car, or if the brakes on the basic fabias really are made of cardboard like they feel?

Is there any obvious problems I can look at myself as well?

Thanks in advance for any help :-)

When was the brake fluid last changed?

It should be changed every two years, and this will not be helping if it is old as it becomes compressable over time, so you cant apply as much force at the calipers/ wheel cylinders.

Also check the thicknesses of the front discs and pads, and whether there is any rust and/or pitting on the front discs (they do nearly all the work).

Could be lack of use resulting in glazed pads. Find a quiet stretch of suitable road with 60 MPH limit, and do some 60 to 10 MPH heavy braking a few times. Obviously make sure it's safe to do so.

If in any doubt, have the brakes checked by the dealer or decent Indy.

I'd agree; with that age the brake fluid should have been changed last year, and with that mileage you may well have rusted discs and/or glazed pads.

The basic Fabia brakes are not too bad, IMHO, but its one of those things that's very subjective. Ideally get a mechanic with experience of this model of car to test it. With a '56 plate it could still be under warranty - so perhaps take it back to a Skoda dealer?

I disagree that the fluid could be the problem. Yes, ideally you should replace the fluid every two years because its hygroscopic (absorbs moisture from the atmosphere) - this will slightly reduce the boiling point of the fluid over time - but boiling is not your problem!

If its ALWAYS been like this from brand new then I would suggest:

1. Air in system (not properly bled at the factory)

2. Fault in the servo system

3. Faulty master cylinder

You really need a second opinion and possible professional investigation.

When you took the car for its MOT what were the results of the brake test?

If the pedal is 'spongy' when pressed there could be air in the system

If the pedal is firm, but the brakes are not slowing the car, it could be glazed pads / shoes.

The brakes on the Wifes' 1.4 mpi are pretty good, but once a year I clean the dust out of the rear drums and 'click' the shoes out closer to the drum as I find the self adjusters are never that good. This gives a shorter handbrake and less travel at the top of the pedal.

If you are any doubt regarding the brakes take the car to a recommended mechanic. Don't go to the likes of Kwik fit as they will sell you new disc, pads etc.

Does the brake pedal go hard (oooh errr!) when you depress it a couple of times when the car is stationary and the ignition is off?

Had my brake fluid changed yesterday and it's alot better. I'd say get it changed and see if its any diff.

Hi everyone,

Just a quick message to say thanks for your replies, the brakes have always felt like the pads, disc and pedal are made of wood. The brake pedal itself is always very hard... I might just take it down to our local Skoda dealer, they're normally pretty helpful.

Thanks again!

hi ive got a 05 tdi my mother got a 1.2 the brakes are useless on the 1.2 compared to tdi first time i drove my mothers nearly ran into a car!

Hi everyone,

Just a quick message to say thanks for your replies, the brakes have always felt like the pads, disc and pedal are made of wood. The brake pedal itself is always very hard... I might just take it down to our local Skoda dealer, they're normally pretty helpful.

Thanks again!

Sounds like it could be an ineffective servo. Try checking the servo:

Run engine - don't touch brake pedal.

Turn engine off.

Press the brake pedal a number of times - the first few presses the pedal should go down easily. It should get progressively harder, with less travel, as you press it more times.