Does anyone have an idea of the difference in annual running cost between a new fabia diesel estate and a 3 year old one.

Can't decide which way to go. There is a £3k disparity in the price but if servicing/mot/running costs etc are higher on the older one then maybe the £3k extra makes sense in the long run? Anyone offer any advice? Thanks

I was looking at used 6 months ago.

I couldn't find one for the price I wanted with the spec I wanted.

I was offered a new car, cancelled order.

It was diesel and a Fabia. The down side (with hindsight) is it's a Monte Carlo and is currently rearranging my spine (hopefully not the chassis) on a daily trip to the nursery, twice a day.

BUT

Tax is cheaper, you'd hope servicing was the £120 twice and the £200 once and nothing more, then an MOT at the 3 year point.

The 3 year old one would have higher tax (mine is £20 per year, 3 yr old would be £120 I reckon), may need things fixing at each service or the MOT, tyres etc...but £3k's worth? Possibly not, 4 tyres, even on the Monte VRS wannabe are going to be £400ish.

And great fuel economy

Day to day running costs are no different between 3 yr used or average mileage and new.

At 3 years maybe tyres and brakes need replacing but certanly not £ 3k worth. Out of warranty so no free breakdown cover but thats only £100 a year.

Don't forget to factor in depreciation, as that's probably the biggest single cost factor.

In general terms the older the car the less it will depeciate while you have it and vice versa, but depreciation varies between models too so you'd need to check the prices out in one of the guides I guess

It's an individual choice, really down to how much you want to spend. New cars don't make a lot of financial sense, but many buy a new car because they want to, not because it's the best finacial option.

One upside of a new car is it'll be worth more when you change next time so you won't hav eto find so much. If you intend trading in at a Skoda dealer next time round I believe you will get a better price if they are going to put it on their forecourt, compared to an older car they are going to offload, so that might be worth considering IMO