I brought a Y reg Skoda Fabia last week, and it was brilliant. It had just under 50k on the clock and a full service history.

The problem appeared after it had been serviced by a local garage. I had driven about 1 1/2 miles and noticed that the revs, when idle, were rising and falling erratically. So naturally I took it back, he cleaned out the IACV and all was well again until the next morning. It started up fine but after driving about 500 yards, the problem had returned, not as bad and not as frequent but enough to get me worried and understandably frustrated.

It may not be relative, but it also seems a lot more juddery when stationary now too, and I haven't had the car long but could almost swear it is lacking power.

It's a 1.4 16v.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Could be one of several things, hard to say if there are no fault codes logged? Common is throttle body needing cleaned and adapted. If just after a service, also check all vacuum hoses have been properly connected.

I haven't had the car long but could almost swear it is lacking power.

It's a 1.4 16v.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

It's a 1.4 16v - think you hit the nail on the head there - these engines provide the best performance when the revs are at the top end of the scale - it's just the way the 16v produces it's power....

I've just had exactly the same on my Y-reg 1.9 TDI, along with erratic starting revs and a long glow plug time. After taking some advice on here changed the coolant temperature sensor for a Hans Preis pattern part from ebay and all is now well again. Got to be worth a try for the sake of £8.

I take it that it is not the 75bhp version (automatic gearbox only)???...If so then most don't get driven the right way (use the revs), or use the correct grade of fuel (it likes 98 ron not 95ron..so thats Shell Vpower or like)...etc etc

Just a quick update. Today there have been absolutely no issues. Just as I got home, engine management light came on. Why did I sell my Focus? :(

You wanna worry when it goes off! It's an undocumented feature of the Fabia ECU, don't worry for now.

Been to the dealers. The engine management light is an unrelated issue, and it's a problem with the EPG or something along those lines. I have the codes and a list of the problems and it will cost around 40 quid to repair (including an issue with the speed sensor on the ABS)

The rev issue was sorted and the continuing problem a few days ago seems to have been the excess carb cleaner working through the system. if Nyone as a similar rev problem, try giving the IACV a good clean and it should be sorted.

All is looking well... So far.

PS. It is running rich, hence the increase in performance. Something I'm not complaining about haha.

It's a 1.4 16v - think you hit the nail on the head there - these engines provide the best performance when the revs are at the top end of the scale - it's just the way the 16v produces it's power....

It's running rich now, and it's definitely picked up the pace. Something I'm reluctant to get repaired haha

Apparantly, the issue lies with something called the front Lambda Probe. £150 to replace at the dealers.