Hi all,

Visited a dealership today and saw dark blue Fabia 3 Hatchback. The vehicle had the engine spec I want, was the grade of Fabia that I want and had a price that is well within my budget. Spoke to the salesman who let me look at the car. Vehicle has approx. 10200 on the clock and is on sale at a price which, once I get my next wages (2 weeks max), I will be able to afford.

The Fabia's registration is xx08 xxx and, in considersation of the mileage and the price, I am sorely tempted to buy it even though I had hoped to get an 09/59 plate car.

The outside & interior of the car were in good condition but I had a look at the engine which was fairly dirty (dust). The salesman said that the vehicle had just been serviced. My Dad - who I was with at the time - thinks that the dirt is a bad sign and that I should hold out for saving another £1000 before getting an 09/59 plate.

My question: is my Dad's thinking correct, or would the dust / dirt not make much - if any - diference?

Cheers,

Dave

Edited 7 July, 201015 yr by DaveHarries

Your Dad is wrong... sort of....

FL Fabia engines seem to get dirty more quickly than the Mk 1. Its been a dry dry year with volcanoes etc so lots of dust is very normal. Hardly any normal person (i.e. non Briskodian) washes or cleans his engine bay ever let alone between services.

Check the suspension/brakes for corrosion and look out for accident damage - ask for a declaration from previous owners that its not been involved in an accident. Also contact previous owners to check if mileage is genuine.

Haggle hard though - the market is very thin on customers.

08 Fabia 3 1.4?? 10,000 miles metallic - £6000 I reckon, maybe less

Edited 7 July, 201015 yr by xman

i have a 58 fabia 1.9 dei done 13000 and my engine has got some dust if you look there is no seal at the front under the bonet were the slam pannel is or up the sides only across the top. so dust can get in i had no probs thou i give a wipe when i cheack oil and water

Thanks for the replies, guys. The dealership is a Skoda one though, and one which has had some very good feedback on this forum. I don't wish to name it on here though as I don't want the car to vanish before I (hopefully) get my hands on it!

@xman: the car is a 1.4TDI 80bhp. Also I have never haggled for anything, let alone cars. And this will be the first car I have ever owned.

Dave

Edited 7 July, 201015 yr by DaveHarries

Good luck with the haggling, I had a 1.4 TDI in that spec and the engine picked up a lot of dirt, in some ways it is a good thing as over keem cleaning of an engine bay can cause damage by washing out protective waxes.

Good luck with the haggling, I had a 1.4 TDI in that spec and the engine picked up a lot of dirt, in some ways it is a good thing as over keem cleaning of an engine bay can cause damage by washing out protective waxes.

Thanks for that useful tip re. protective waxes.

As for haggling, I spoke to a mate of mine in the pub last night and he thinks that, without being too cheeky, I could get £500 off in return for a deal on the spot. However I have just checked the Parker's website and it thinks that, with 20,000 on the clock, a price from a franchised dealer would be about £8460. As the price of this one is £8995 I somehow doubt if I would get the £500 off.

Dave

Edited 8 July, 201015 yr by DaveHarries

Are you paying cash?

If so, £500 quid is not even being cheeky, that's standard!

If you are looking at spending £9k for 2 year old car could you not stretch a little further and get a new 1.2 TSI 85 SE for £9763.51 on VAT free?

I would say that a nice bright clean engine bay is worse than a bit of dust. That would mean it's been cleaned. Which would sometimes imply that there is something to hide.

Dust is good for showing any leaks up

If you are looking at spending £9k for 2 year old car could you not stretch a little further and get a new 1.2 TSI 85 SE for £9763.51 on VAT free?

Thanks for the suggestion on this. However, I want a Diesel engine, not a Petrol one and I would prefer a 1.4L engine. Also I had initially budgeted close to £10K for the car. And lastly I wouldn't want to be paying a credit agreement on top of what I pay for the car as this will be the first car that I have owned.

I have emailed the salesman at the Skoda dealership asking if I can have a second look and a test drive on Saturday.

Dave

Edited 8 July, 201015 yr by DaveHarries

In May 2009 they had three 57 plate Fabia level 3's 1.9tdi at the Cannock branch for £7799 or £7795 (give or take a few quid) so nearly £9k is expensive and way over the book price.

£9000 for a 2 yr old Fabia with a tractor engine??? You must be crazy!! I think you have dust on the brain my boy.

It should have had 2 services stamped in its book btw.

On DTD for £1800 more you can get a brand spanking new Fabia 3 1.6cr diesel FL model which is light years ahead of that old tractor. 3 years warranty and no MOT to worry about for 3 whole years, does 15% more mpg, nice and quiet, and only £20 a year Road Tax. £9000 will get you a brand new Fabia 1 1.6CR diesel. And the new FL models have whole floor pan undertrays.....

The much nicer 1.2Tsi models are cheaper still.

Edited 8 July, 201015 yr by xman

9k does seem a lot. I had the same when I bought my first Golf, ended up with a new one because it was only a fraction more than a second hand one. If you have the cash do the 0 percent offer one, pay the large deposit and invest the rest. Should definately work out cheaper by the time you factor in tyres servicing warranty etc.

I have gone from the 1.4 TDI 3 to a 1.2 TSI SE, engine is miles better and almost as economical and the only extra I miss is parking sensors.

Thanks for the suggestion on this. However, I want a Diesel engine, not a Petrol one and I would prefer a 1.4L engine. Also I had initially budgeted close to £10K for the car. And lastly I wouldn't want to be paying a credit agreement on top of what I pay for the car as this will be the first car that I have owned.

I have emailed the salesman at the Skoda dealership asking if I can have a second look and a test drive on Saturday.

Dave

i got a fabia 3 est 19tdi 58 with 30 k on clock had serivce last week, also got heated seats, sunset glass, TPM, rear electric windows in silver and looking for 8K

Thanks all for your replies on this one. It has been very helpful.

I went back to the dealership today. The salesman was late seeing me (I was booked in for 11am) but that was down to a female customer who was trying to buy a black Fabia 1 (Petrol), who could - by the look of things - have talked the hind legs off 100 donkeys, and who was keeping him very busy. In the end, another of the sales execs at Capitol Skoda (Newport) took me for a test drive around the back lanes to the southeast of Newport through some nearby hamlets, a route of 8 miles. The vehicle handled very well during the trip and, upon returning to the dealership, I decided I would purchase the vehicle.

My Dad - who was with me - tried to get the price down but the salesman - Paul - couldn't reach the person whose car it had been. Eventually I decided to go ahead and get it. My Dad put down the deposit (£500) and I pick up my nice, dark blue Fabia 3 on 17th July.

Cheers all,

Dave

Edited 10 July, 201015 yr by DaveHarries

My Dad - who was with me - tried to get the price down but the salesman - Paul - couldn't reach the person whose car it had been. Eventually I decided to go ahead and get it. My Dad put down the deposit (£500) and I pick up my nice, dark blue Fabia 3 on 17th July.

What a wus!

What has previous owner got to do with the price of the car??

They could see you really wanted it and they just sucked you in.......never mind.......hope you have a good experience with it and don't forget to check its service record - it should have had two annual services - the first was an annual inspection service and the 2nd a major 2yr/20000 mile jobbie (even though its low mileage).

For peace of mind contact the previous owner to confirm the mileage/history/accidents, standard when buying any 2nd hand motor.

What a wus!

What has previous owner got to do with the price of the car??

They could see you really wanted it and they just sucked you in.......never mind.......hope you have a good experience with it and don't forget to check its service record - it should have had two annual services - the first was an annual inspection service and the 2nd a major 2yr/20000 mile jobbie (even though its low mileage).

For peace of mind contact the previous owner to confirm the mileage/history/accidents, standard when buying any 2nd hand motor.

Hi xman,

1. My Dad put down the £500 because I didn't have enough in my bank account to cover it. All my wage cheques for the last 10 months (or thereabouts) have gone into my car fund which was a building society account, not a bank account. Also, my Dad was trying to lower the price by about £200 or so, hence trying to contact the previous owner. Still, I suppose it could be said that I do get £500 off.....

2. The salesman said that the car previously belonged to a manager within the group that owns the dealership. Also, it was a franchised dealership.

Saving up for this car has been hell and it has taken me several years as I have not always been lucky with employment. Very much looking forward to next Saturday. Pictures to follow when I get them. I hope to take a really good one within the next week or two.

Dave

enjoy it fella, nothing better than yer first car

looks really tidy in blue i'm sure it will be a great car.

Picked up the Fabia at lunchtime today and glad to say that all went smoothly.

@xman: thanks for the tip about the number of services that should be in the book. There were indeed 2.

Here's to some happy motoring.

Dave