Ok so confession time I have actually been a member of the forum for quite a while now, but I am not much of a contributor, rather just searching for useful help and tips; and reading some of the amazing project threads.

I’ve owned my Fabia Vrs SE since June 2011, and I am still impressed by the all-round quality of the package, which is a great tradeoff between economy and performance. I also own a 205 GTI as my second car and can definitely say I appreciate the reliability of the Fabia which is up there with the best of them.

However the past winter hasn’t been too kind on the car and it now needs both a service and some other niggles sorting, and I am hoping to tap into the forums knowledge here to ensure I tick all the right boxes. Top of the list has to be a service as it is getting on for 10,000 miles since I did it in august last year. Having looked through the service guide, am I right in thinking that the following should cover everything:

Oil and Oil Filter

Cabin Filter

Fuel Filter

Sump Plug

Coolant

Clean Air Filter (yes I put in an aftermarket one when I bought it, blame post purchase keenness)

On top of the basic servicing, a few other niggles have crept up, at 141,000 miles though I only think it is to be expected. Firstly the mpg has dropped off significantly, I suspect that the egr really needs a clean and I plan on taking this off cleaning it; and replacing the gaskets and seals. I addition I have read some of the posts on the hose and catch tank modification, I am thinking of doing this but I wanted to check whether anyone had their warning light coming on, possibly as a result of reduction in pressure at the valve?

I have also noticed that there seems to be a leak in the screen wash system, probably just a split in the pipe somewhere but just want to establish whether anyone else had this problem?

In addition my driver’s seatbelt has started to fray, I have no idea how this has happened but obviously it’s really not good news in the event of an accident. Is this relatively simple to swap, I am hoping it’s just a case of taking off some of the interior trim, or is there something worse lurking for me?

Moving on to a couple of things I am not planning on tackling myself ( I long ago learned my own limits and the feeling of finding your car on stands with a load of bits stripped, when you discover you suddenly need a specialist tool is not a pleasant one!). I am planning on having both front wheel bearings replaced, the squeaking is becoming more noticeable and I don’t want them to become seized in the hubs. I am also planning on having the console bushes replaced with the Cupra ones at the same time; as it makes sense. How much should I budget for this work, and also can anyone recommend any good independents/specialists in the West Mids area?

Lastly can anyone recommend a good body shop in the West Midlands area? The lacquer has started to peel off the spoiler, along with some prat smashing my passenger side mirror casing in a car park, added to some other scratches and stone chips I would like to get it tidied up back into top order.

Oh and one final thing aimed at all the high mileage owners out there is there anything else I should be looking at in terms of preventative maintenance. I have no plans of selling the car anytime soon, so I would love to ensure continued reliability.

Many Thanks,

Ed

Service list looks right, when was the brake fluid done and what about the timing belt/pump (60k OR 4 years)?

Screen wash could be a popped pipe joint, the wheel arch or the engine bay or the pipe in the rear, the clue is usually where the water leaks from

Genuine wheel bearings are £100ish a shot + fitting, they don't normally squeak so make sure its them before you get the work done. Cupra bushes are inexpensive but fitting pushes the bill up as they need pressing out/in the same as a wheel bearing.

Long term you could lower the oil change interval, how bad is the mpg drop off? Cold weather and winter fuel additive lowers mpg but after 140k you probably know that by now.

Eddy- I'd not be too inclined to go to Lister in EXHALL ,unless you can negotiate a price. If you want work done, then Unit 18 in MK is not that far away . Might be worth giving Ally an e mail for a quote for work .You might just get a pleasant surprise . ( look at unit 18 in sponsors )

Avalon - Brake fluid was done last summer, along with new front discs and pads, belt was done in spring last year at around 120k. Eurocarparts have a pretty good sale on right now so I'm planning on stocking up all the service items.

Sorry when I said squeek I should have clarified, we aren't talking about the odd noise here, its a constant squeal when locking it to the left. I understand the Fabia does have a reputation for them so thought I would preempt any serious failure. Yes think its worth taking a hit on the fitting for the Cupra bushes, typically you get a better rate for the labour as they will have the front end apart anyway.

Hmm what would you recommend for the oil interval, I've always ran cars on roughly 10k, unless they were serious performance cars? Oh the mpg drop off is noticable, I'm now getting around 375 miles to a tank which is appalling, I was getting around 450. I would have addressed the egr sooner, but its been so cold.

VWD - Thanks for the tip, personally unless a car is under warranty I will never go to a main dealer for servicing again. Farmers in Leicester took £900 off my mother for a service a couple years ago, sure it was belts etc but still, typically she didn't call me before taking it there, rather just moaned about the bill afterwards. Thanks for the tip on Unit 18, I've heard good things about them, given I'll be taking time off work anyway the drive wouldn't put me off.

ECP have a sale on? Pull the other one, they always have a minimum of 25% off no matter what, its just down to how they market it to con people into thinking they are getting a deal. Car Parts For Less is the same company and usually cheaper even after ECP's discount/sales and they also have sales/discount codes to make them even cheaper again.

My local factor usually beats ECP prices with ease so consider if the 'sale' is actually any cheaper than the normal price other suppliers are charging before stocking up.

As for the interval I know a few taxi drivers who knock it down to 8k or use the long life oil rather than standard but it's personal choice. Regular oil changes are probably the single best thing you can do to prolong an engines life.

Eddie- I've used unit 18 ,and it's not that far away. I've gone here and had work done. And I'd go there again . I've had time to watch them at work ,and it's been a nice experience. Totally pro at work . It's not often that I give my seal of approval ,but this one gets my vote .

I would strongly recommend Unit 18 too.

Yeah I know ECP aren't always the cheapest but you can't sniff at 50%, plus they are local and convenient.

Spot of annual leave planned shortly so I'll give Unit 18 a buzz and see what they say

Mpg issue may be a faulty coolant temperature sensor!

With 140k i can almost guarantee the original will be shot

Yeah I know ECP aren't always the cheapest but you can't sniff at 50%, plus they are local and convenient.

Spot of annual leave planned shortly so I'll give Unit 18 a buzz and see what they say

Tell you what, I've got a five pound note, normally I'd sell you it for £10 but if you use this discount code I'll knock 40% off! No I'd not sniff at that, but I would wonder what anyone who thought it was a deal had been sniffing.

I'll let you in on a little secret, ECP use basic marketing working on the premiss that everyone likes a bargain, if you think you are getting a deal you'll be back. They list discount codes on the top of the home page, this has to tell you that they have no intention of selling the products at full price. The only exceptions i'm aware of recently are the 40% offer for the jubilee or when they cocked up on the Bosch screwdriver flash sale deal and let you stack it with a 25% discount code.

Think i'm kidding? CP4L is the same site/company but with lower base prices and lower discounts. Its the same parts in the same box with the same sticker but the name on the invoice changes. So yes I do sniff at a 50% sale as in truth it's the bare minimum they can legally get away with in order to market it as a 'up to 50% off sale', I'm just amazed anyone falls for it.

Oh and U18 are friendly enough and come highly recommended