I own a Fabia first registered 2006. It is a five door hatchback with engine size of 1198cc petrol.

It seems to have a strange starting problem. When I first got the car we had it serviced and a new battery fitted as it needed it. Over the winter months, even with this new battery, on some occasions when I went to start the car, on the first turn of the key there was nothing turning wirring or otherwise. On the second it fired up normally. I assumed it was because it was cold. However, this is sometimes continuing especially if I have not used the car for more than a day. Once it has got started, it is fine for the rest of the day and probably the day after.

I have been out now at 9.15 am and it has been standing since Friday (Sunday today) and it started fine.

My brother in law works on Skodas, he is a highly qualified mechanic and says it is either ignition switch or starter motor has a flat spot.

Has anyone else had this problem, and if so what was the end result. Is there any way I can distinguish between ignition problem and starter problem?

Sounds like a dodgy starter motor. To test it you would need to get a stab light and put it on the ignition feed to the starter (small wire) when you are trying to start it, if it has a live feed when it plays up it is the starter motor but if the live feed is not present it is a faulty ignition.

Dont know if its your problem or not but...

The solenoid on the 1.2 starter motors are known to fail, mine was changed under warranty in 2009 as it was well known to fail.

Thanks very much for the info, I will do that. Brother in law has suggested a faulty ignition switch (maybe) some of the bigger models appear to have this problem and he mentioned starter motor maybe, however, will have it looked at with thse points in mind.