Hi All - new to posting but have found the forum really helpful for advice and guidance whilst lurking in the background. Recently scrapped our 15 yr old hunk of rust Felicia and looking to buy a Fabia to replace. It's a second car so needs to be cheap to run. Looking at the 1.4 8v at the moment and have found one for just shy of £3k with only 4,000 miles on the clock. I've done MOT history check and mileage checks out. Speaking to the garage, it has never had a service - should this worry me? It just seems to hood to be true and I suspect some foul play. Especially as the garage got arsey with me for asking too many questions.

What are your thoughts? And thanks in advance for helping!

Its possible that it has such low milage, I dont think that if it has been tampered with they would do it that much. Makes it too obvious. Go and check it out, Check for the seatbelts pulling back in smoothly wear on the seats and carpet, any wear on the pedals and loseness on the gear linkage. All 4 tyres should be all the same with simular wear. Hope this helps you.

Ross

If it's too good to be true, than more often than not it usually is.

Even if the mileage is real it's so low that it would put me off.

A car that's been sitting so idle that it's only 500 miles a year! Obviously owned by someone who didn't really need a car. That's probably less than 2 fill-ups a year!

Think of all the stuff that will sieze and gum-up in that idle time, especially with no sign of anything as simple as an oil-change. It's not the same as buying a 6-month old car with 4k on it.

I'd pay more for a similar age of car with 40,000 on it that had been serviced when due.

it has never had a service - should this worry me?

Yes. Avoid.

Most consumables on a car (Oil, coolant, tyres, belts, filters, bushes etc) all perish with age as much as milage. The Fabia service record clearly states it should be serviced every 10,000 miles or annually, whichever is soonest.

It may be that with a full and thorough service and the replacement of almost everything posible it would be a good car (the interior and body should be outstanding I suspect) but as Freakcrab said, I would much rather have a car with ten tims the milage but which had been looked after as it should be.

Even if the mileage is real it's so low that it would put me off.

A car that's been sitting so idle that it's only 500 miles a year! Obviously owned by someone who didn't really need a car. That's probably less than 2 fill-ups a year!

Think of all the stuff that will sieze and gum-up in that idle time, especially with no sign of anything as simple as an oil-change. It's not the same as buying a 6-month old car with 4k on it.

I'd pay more for a similar age of car with 40,000 on it that had been serviced when due.

+1

It will probably be more trouble than it's worth, straight away it will need 4 new tyres as they will be cracking due to age, plus a cambelt (and probably every other belt) the lack of a service history however would not worry me, this would also need doing ASAP ...... but then I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole anyway!

the interior and body should be outstanding I suspect

Only if it has been dry stored with decent ventilation, otherwise it will more likely be musty and damp

Thanks guys, as I suspected really.

Another option is 1.4 16v with 58k on the clock - also 52 plate. Serviced at regular intervals, but due a service now. 12 month MOT, 6 months tax. Recent new tyres, pads and shoes and cambelt changed 2000 miles ago. For 2.4k private sale.

The car really needs to be a reliable workhorse as will be doing 250 miles of A-road driving a week.

We got burnt buying a car recently so I'm nervous to say the least.

Thanks again for all your help!

If speed isn't an issue, I would opt for the Fabia SDi

I'd go for a diesel doing 250 miles a week on A roads, more economical or maybe the 1.2 12v?

If it's the old 1.4 8 valve push rod engine they're very notorious for head gaskets, they're an out-dated engine anyway, going back to favorit times.

And the 1.4 16v suffer piston ring failure ( very common )

This it ?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201104378191763/sort/priceasc/usedcars/maximum-mileage/up_to_5000_miles/price-to/3000/model/fabia/make/skoda/postcode/cf373en/radius/1501/page/1?logcode=p

And the 1.4 16v suffer piston ring failure ( very common )

+1

+1

It will probably be more trouble than it's worth, straight away it will need 4 new tyres as they will be cracking due to age, plus a cambelt (and probably every other belt) the lack of a service history however would not worry me, this would also need doing ASAP ...... but then I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole anyway!

No cambelt on these. . .

Personally, I'd go for a 1.9 SDi if it's realiable and cheap motoring your after. Not fast though!

This it ?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201104378191763/sort/priceasc/usedcars/maximum-mileage/up_to_5000_miles/price-to/3000/model/fabia/make/skoda/postcode/cf373en/radius/1501/page/1?logcode=p

that's the one...

+1

No cambelt on these. . .

Personally, I'd go for a 1.9 SDi if it's realiable and cheap motoring your after. Not fast though!

also need it to be cheap to insure as husband only recently passed test, even though in his 30's. Remarkable I know!

With a 0-60 time of 18 seconds or so, I'd guess it'l be cheap too! Think SDi stands for slow diesel injection! :p

1.2 Classic 5d 2

1.2 12V Classic (64bhp) 5d 4

1.4 8V Classic 5d 5

1.9 SDI Classic 5d 5

1.4 16V Ambiente 5d 11

There's the insurance groups there - all x/50.

Can you not get a 1.4TDI? I would go for that over the 8v petrol or the SDI.....The most awful engine that VW have produced....not that economical when you have one as a courtesy car when your PD130 is in for work! as soon as you hit the motorway the fuel drops due to the flooring it to get it up to speed, then don't bother trying to overtake anything!

With a 0-60 time of 18 seconds or so, I'd guess it'l be cheap too! Think SDi stands for slow diesel injection! :p

1.2 Classic 5d 2

1.2 12V Classic (64bhp) 5d 4

1.4 8V Classic 5d 5

1.9 SDI Classic 5d 5

1.4 16V Ambiente 5d 11

There's the insurance groups there - all x/50.

thanks!

You're welcome.

Can you not get a 1.4TDI? I would go for that over the 8v petrol or the SDI.....The most awful engine that VW have produced....not that economical when you have one as a courtesy car when your PD130 is in for work! as soon as you hit the motorway the fuel drops due to the flooring it to get it up to speed, then don't bother trying to overtake anything!

Only a couple of very high milers out there for the same sorta cost as the one in the OP (£3k), sadly. But otherwise I'd rather one - drove an A2 with it in and was impressed.

Edited 4 February, 201115 yr by TriggerFish

Can you not get a 1.4TDI? I would go for that over the 8v petrol or the SDI.....The most awful engine that VW have produced....not that economical when you have one as a courtesy car when your PD130 is in for work! as soon as you hit the motorway the fuel drops due to the flooring it to get it up to speed, then don't bother trying to overtake anything!

not for the kind of money we're looking to spend I don't think. But please correct if I'm wrong!

This car really is an a road car, so speed and over taking really aren't important...

Would you say the 1.9sdi is a better bet than the 1.2 12v engine? Looking around we can pick up a classic with 30k ish on the clock, or a comfort with 50k in either model fir about the same price. Give or take a few pennies. What would I need to look out for on each if we went ahead?

Or are we better off buying a higher mileage car that has already had cam and water tank changed?

Sorry, loads more questions!

You're welcome.

Only a couple of very high milers out there for the same sorta cost as the one in the OP (£3k), sadly. But otherwise I'd rather one - drove an A2 with it in and was impressed.

ah right...just a thought because i had a couple of 1.4TDI polo courtesy cars over the years and i would rate them better than the SDI, 1.4 8v or the 1.2....

Looking around we can pick up a classic with 30k ish on the clock, or a comfort with 50k in either model fir about the same price.

I have a 1.2 classic, it is a nice little engine but not hugely economical on fast runs, very good in town though.

If you are in a position to, I'd suggest the comfort, it has a little bit more. The classic lacks central locking for example, and has hand wind windows.

This might not bother you, it's certainly something I can live with, but worth considering.

The 1.4 8v has rather poor MPG (and expensive road tax to match). The one in the OP is probably an old person's weekend car, and I am surprised it has never been serviced. But being that old with no evidence of servicing, that low amount of miles (yes I think it's a bad thing) at £3k I would stay well clear. If you have £3k to spend there is much much better out there for your money.

I suspect the aforementioned lack of economy in the 1.2 is when bombing it down the motorway at 80mph. Keep to around 56mph to 60mph and I am sure it would be fine.

Edited 5 February, 201115 yr by anewman

I suspect the aforementioned lack of economy in the 1.2 is when bombing it down the motorway at 80mph. Keep to around 56mph to 60mph and I am sure it would be fine.

No bombing from me!

Motorway I get mid 40s if I'm gentle and use hills to my advantage.

Town, timing traffic lights etc. to minimise stoppage, and I get high 40s, low 50s.

I have never hit the official 58.9mpg for "extra urban".

Anyway, just my 2p