Hello all,

First of all this is my first post. So hello everyone!

I know that owners forums are the best place for information and experienced opnion. And I'm always a member of the forum of my car, so I thought I'd come here first.

Basically I want your opinion on the car I'm looking at...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201117385630853/sort/priceasc/usedcars/price-to/5000/price-from/5000/page/1/keywords/skoda%20fabia%20vrs/postcode/ip333tj/radius/1500?logcode=p

Trade in for a Renault Twingo GT 100, 35,000 miles, 08 plate, perfect condition. Plus £300.

What do you think of the deal? And the car? I've also heard about the leaking issue? What's the likelyhood of that and what should I check for.

Your opinions, input and advice is appreciated!

I would be looking some cash my way in that deal, not be paying extra. If you went private you could make yourself maybe £600-£700........

Do look for one though, I love mine and the door leaks are an easy fix. I still enjoy the drive to work nearly 4 years after buying it

Your cars worth more, go private, and im sure the dealer would drop at least £250 when you offer a straight sale with no P/s

Hiya Mate,

If you haggle on this deal, you should be able to make it a straight swop.

Car looks clean enough, standard checks, timing belt, water marks on rear door cards means leaky seals, some say its an easy fix but up here in scotland it rarely stays dry long enough to sort it out properly !!!

Take the plastic cover off the top of the engine and have a good look around for oil leaks, there is a valve around the top of the engine block that spouts out oil when its not very well, easily sorted but more bargaining power.

Take off the expansion tank cap (making sure car is cool)to see if there is any pressure stored or if the coolant is murky brown or stinks of exhaust gas,, any of these just walk away,,, wish id of done this !!!!!

Good luck !!!!

Your cars worth more, go private, and im sure the dealer would drop at least £250 when you offer a straight sale with no P/s

Sadly I don't think my car is worth more than 5k... I tried to sell it privately beforehand with no luck! And that was at 5k.

The GT model is just not appealling to people I think... They either want the RenaultSport, or just a standard cheapo version. The GT just floats in the middle.

Take off the expansion tank cap (making sure car is cool)to see if there is any pressure stored or if the coolant is murky brown or stinks of exhaust gas,, any of these just walk away,,, wish id of done this !!!!!

Good luck !!!!

Sorry whats the expansion tank cap?...

Sorry whats the expansion tank cap?...

When you open the bonnet its the white tank on the left hand side with a blue cap,,, the coolant system expansion tank, there is a min and max marked on the side of the tank, the level should be between these lines

Check service history too see if correct oil was used.

Also check if water pump was done at same time as cambelt.

Sadly I don't think my car is worth more than 5k... I tried to sell it privately beforehand with no luck! And that was at 5k.

The GT model is just not appealling to people I think... They either want the RenaultSport, or just a standard cheapo version. The GT just floats in the middle.

This was based on me looking on Autotrader, have a quick try on Pistonheads, Auto Trader, and even a eBay auction.. No harm in trying

im selling mine for 4500 its on ebay atm a red one, powder coated wheels, 180 bhp 96000 miles

pm me if interested

Check service history too see if correct oil was used.

Also check if water pump was done at same time as cambelt.

As said by above member every 4/ 5 years, 50 /60,000 miles new cambelt, tensioners etc, water-pump is a must.

Add service history or at least previous owners paper-work covering services, is reassuring.

Car in general is sound and like most cars has it's few hiccups.

I have had my Fabia VRS since new in 2005 and I'm well pleased in general and carry-out my own servicing,

with a few reasonably priced specialist tools, c/o E-Bay. LOL

Prices for 2004/ 06 up to about £5000 roughly privately, add a £1000 more on the fore-court, have seen a 2007as high as £7995.00 on one fore-court for sale.

Good luck, but don't buy the first one you see, have a good look around for a sound bargain.

I'm not sure if this is slightly overpriced, I got my 54plate vrs 50000 miles, full skoda service history, 12 months warranty from a skoda dealer for 5995. Some people sell on here in the cars for sale thread, if you have a look?