Hey guys! i have a friend who is in his 20s and has just passed his test and had been doing a lot of research into cars and cheapest prices on insurance, hes settled on a 1.9 Fabia SDI.

He is going to have a look at a couple this week and is wanting to know any key things to look out for mechanically about the SDI engine. so im asking if any of you have any pointers for him?

also he has found an amazing deal on autotrader for an SDI with FSH and around 100k on the clock, the car looks nice there seems to be nothing wrong with it and its priced at £695, but looking into it the next ones around the same mileage and spec etc are around £400 more, so should this be ringing alarm bells and is it a bit "too good to be true"?

Any help is greatly appreciated! thanks guys

The car in question : http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201304166300088/sort/default/usedcars/engine-size-cars/1-7l_to_1-9l/price-to/1000/model/fabia/make/skoda/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/keywords/sdi/radius/1501/postcode/de231hg/page/1?logcode=p

need to find out when its had timing belt change/s and the gaps between service intervals. As well as other service items such as brakes etc

The things i notice about their photo's are the back seats look stained and dirty and possible had wet dogs in the back?

Its missing the rear skoda badge. Can't help but notice how far the handbrake is pulled up? Could indicate it needs new discs and pads?

Other things to consider are condition of tyres.

Maybe its priced like that because of the above? and that it's in need of some tlc.

also noticed the front seat belt hasn't wound itself back in.... its not got electric windows. Maybe its been neglected a bit and thats why its priced cheaper than the competition..... Hard to say if its a good one to go for without checking it out. Im by no means an expert but you want to be looking for a smooth sounding engine, no rattles or tappety noises etc

on the positive though, it could have been serviced regularly (like every 10,000 miles or less) and drive fine. It may need new brakes soon, and tyres. Might want to consider a new timing belt depending on when its been changed...

The seats will clean up, using soap flakes and a clean sponge to work the suds in... A new badge won't cost that much either

Edited 23 April, 201313 yr by silver_fox

Sdi is bombproof

Aslong as the engines had oil in it then at 100k its not even run in

If you buy the car and indeed it does need new brakes then

I have a full set of brand new (All still in the box) front discs and pads and rear brake shoes

all made by Mintex for one of these up in my loft. If you're anywhere near Bristol then PM me if you

are interested and we can discuss a price. They will also fit any other Mark 1 Fabia with the rear drums.

I can ship them but that would be expensive due to the sheer weight of the box.

I'm sure we could put this to music with a little effort?

Console bushes, drop links, arb, arb bushes, alternator cable snapping, rear door seals failing, service history every 10k OR 12 months - whatever it reaches first, timing belt every 60k OR 4 years - whatever it hits first, BF change, tyres, wheel bearings, tracking, leaks from the radiator (lower corners) thermostat hitting 90c (12 o'clock position in a few miles and staying at that point), fault codes logged, springs/shocks being serviceable, do the panels line up and match, is the PAS constant and not changing weight, is the spare present, legal and ideally new, does everything open/close smoothly (boot/bonnet/doors), any evidence of repairs such as something looking a lot cleaner than the rest of the car underneath or less corroded. Does it come with both keys and do they work, how's the clutch and gearbox sound, wipers and washers work etc. and is it tracking straight and does the stated previous mileage on the new style MOT match the invoices/service history you're hoping they have? Is the V5 in the persons name and do they seem to know the car.

Those are just the basic's, remember it's not a new car, it's had a life and you can expect that to show but it can sometimes be worth walking away and having a think even if it's apparently a bargain.

Isn't the gearbox the weak link on an sdi?

thanks for all of the above comments youve been really helpful.

need to find out when its had timing belt change/s and the gaps between service intervals. As well as other service items such as brakes etc

The things i notice about their photo's are the back seats look stained and dirty and possible had wet dogs in the back?

Its missing the rear skoda badge. Can't help but notice how far the handbrake is pulled up? Could indicate it needs new discs and pads?

Other things to consider are condition of tyres.

Maybe its priced like that because of the above? and that it's in need of some tlc.

This cars now been sold so my friend is looking elsewhere now, however he greatly appreciates everything youve advised and will take into account all of it once hes car hunting on saturday.

Sdi is bombproof

Aslong as the engines had oil in it then at 100k its not even run in

Thanks, that was our general consensus as well.

If you buy the car and indeed it does need new brakes then

I have a full set of brand new (All still in the box) front discs and pads and rear brake shoes

all made by Mintex for one of these up in my loft. If you're anywhere near Bristol then PM me if you

are interested and we can discuss a price. They will also fit any other Mark 1 Fabia with the rear drums.

I can ship them but that would be expensive due to the sheer weight of the box.

Thanks mate il ask him what he thinks about it and get back to you, his first idea was brembo discs and greenstuff pads but he may be interested. if he isnt i might be

I'm sure we could put this to music with a little effort?

Console bushes, drop links, arb, arb bushes, alternator cable snapping, rear door seals failing, service history every 10k OR 12 months - whatever it reaches first, timing belt every 60k OR 4 years - whatever it hits first, BF change, tyres, wheel bearings, tracking, leaks from the radiator (lower corners) thermostat hitting 90c (12 o'clock position in a few miles and staying at that point), fault codes logged, springs/shocks being serviceable, do the panels line up and match, is the PAS constant and not changing weight, is the spare present, legal and ideally new, does everything open/close smoothly (boot/bonnet/doors), any evidence of repairs such as something looking a lot cleaner than the rest of the car underneath or less corroded. Does it come with both keys and do they work, how's the clutch and gearbox sound, wipers and washers work etc. and is it tracking straight and does the stated previous mileage on the new style MOT match the invoices/service history you're hoping they have? Is the V5 in the persons name and do they seem to know the car.

Those are just the basic's, remember it's not a new car, it's had a life and you can expect that to show but it can sometimes be worth walking away and having a think even if it's apparently a bargain.

Again, thanks, he will have a sift through and see what each car comes up with.

Isn't the gearbox the weak link on an sdi?

As far as i was aware it was the 1.4 engines with this problem (same as mine) and as far as im aware its the same problem in 1,6 ibizas too.

well i thought i should pop on and say hi, i'm dan, jacks mate. Thank you all for all the advice, it seems to confirm what i had hoped to hear and had read about. effectively i'm only looking at cars with FSH, as long as it has that then in theory, if i'm correct, the main bit, the engine should be ok obviously it's a second hand car so i need to check for wear and tear throughout. seats aren't an issue as jack is sorting me out lol. i've been set on a fabia for a while to the point that i have already bought the sound system for the car XD