OK i have strayed into the Fabia section.

Can anyone give me some quick pointers as what bad points to look for when looking at a Fabia.

It's a Fabia comfort 1.4 16v.

TIA

Edited 16 July, 201015 yr by jaymd

Can anyone give me some quick pointers as what bad points to look for when looking at a Fabia.

The main one's leaking rear door carriers (water leaks out from behind the door card, onto the top of the door seal, and then runs in, making the carpet wet.

One of the 1.4's had piston ring issues, although I'm not sure which one ...

The 1.4 16V with piston rings problems was the AUB engine code, try to get the later BBZ engine. Use just 98 Super petrol, it needs it.

The 1.4 16V with piston rings problems was the AUB engine code, try to get the later BBZ engine. Use just 98 Super petrol, it needs it.

I have done a search and seems like piston rings are 1 problem but it will come with 3 months warranty so hopefully that should be covered.

This will have the AUB engine as it's an 2001 'Y' reg.

40k 1 owner.

I will give it a scan with VCDS to see if anything else shows up.

Piston rings can strike at any time... Don't bank on the warranty covering it.. I'd find a 1.9TDi myself.

I had a 1.4 16v AUB before my vRS.. Y plate, 2001 and 48k on the clock when bought... nothing but trouble, that engine ruined a perfectly good car owning experience was defiantly summed up over the 2 years with the phrase "What now?! Sigh" 2 of the faults (coolant temp sensor and fuel pump relay, both of which seem a little more common on the AUB engines) caused the car to be a non starter! The relay can cause high speed cut outs.. as it did when I was doing 60 down a NSL road one day.

I'm not trying to scare monger.. just, if your buying rather than having bought, i'd avoid the AUB engined ones.. especially as they're getting older!

Also, at 40k on a Y plate.. if the console bushes haven't been done they're almost certainly gonna go while you own it. Belt change is 60k on the AUB.

Edited 16 July, 201015 yr by Rob.

I think the cambelt is now 40k or 4 years. The belts are not breaking, but the pulleys are breaking because they are plastic.

Cheers for the info.

The car will only be used as a daily round town car doing 10 miles a day max.

Price will be around £1500 max depending and how much i can knock them down.

I have done a search and seems like piston rings are 1 problem but it will come with 3 months warranty so hopefully that should be covered.

This will have the AUB engine as it's an 2001 'Y' reg.

40k 1 owner.

I will give it a scan with VCDS to see if anything else shows up.

Short journeys I'd guess, engine not warming, worse thing for then as its the carbon build up that kills them. Mine was the same, main reason I got rid of it.

Also check for knocking suspension.