Hi folks,

Bought my '99 44,000 mile Felicia three years ago, for £850. Had a few minor problems, it's needed cc £200 worth of work each year. As bangernomics goes, it's worked out well.

Just got the well known gearbox breather blocked = gearbox lubricant everywhere problem fixed. However cc £500 of work could be required soon (exhaust, oil leak, major service, bits n bobs). Or these things might not fail the MOT ...

Anyway, it might be not economical to repair or not a sensible long term investment, so am looking at Fabia to replace. Budget prob. £3,000.

What with the price of fuel, i'd like to get a diesel if i can. Have seen 2004ish 75,000 mile-ish examples for around £3,000.

Or alternatively, a similar age / mileage 1.2 petrol can be had for £2,000.

Do members have any tips on what to watch out for? On modern well looked after cars, the age shouldn't be a big deal (Fabia's don't rust like Felicias!) and engines should be good for at least 150,000 miles (diesels - 200,000?)

Is the 75,000 mile mark a dodgy point for the rest of the car i.e. the point at which suspension, steering, gearboxes, clutches, electricals, various assemblies etc start to cause problems?

With Fabia, should I lean towards older car with lower mileage ... or vice versa?

Any other pointers?

Would be grateful for any advice offered.

Thanks

D

Things i'd expect on any car of this age are bushes to fail, springs to be showing corrosion, the MK1's had issues with PAS that often required the angle sensor to be swapped out on older cars, aux/timing belts need to be done as per the book (or 60k/4years as it was revised down after the early books were printed). Also check when the the BF was last done. If you don't do a lot of miles the 1.2 may be a better buy but read up on it's fuel requirements first.

Things i'd expect on any car of this age are bushes to fail, springs to be showing corrosion, the MK1's had issues with PAS that often required the angle sensor to be swapped out on older cars, aux/timing belts need to be done as per the book (or 60k/4years as it was revised down after the early books were printed). Also check when the the BF was last done. If you don't do a lot of miles the 1.2 may be a better buy but read up on it's fuel requirements first.

Thanks, that's very useful.

Could you confirm what the BF is though - ?!

Cheers

Brake fluid, supposed to be replaced every 2 years

I say it every time, dont buy on age and miles, buy on history and condition!! My fabia is on 161,000 miles and running 100bhp more than stock, plenty of life left in it yet.

Things will go wrong whatever you buy. My first vRS bought new, fully Skoda serviced and not tracked needed around £1k spending on suspension and steering between about 50k and 60k miles. I'm told my 32k replacement needs new bushes now and potentially a replacement EGR valve! These cars are obviously highly value engineered and do not last...