never buy a car off anyone who writes in txt spk, also personally I never trust an mot without an advisory! I am a pessimistic sceptic though :/

 

Yes, I was put off by his level of English....but it looks like such a well-maintained SE. Now I'm wondering if it's worth the trek to the Midlands....

 

Well, I've got the rental till the 28th of this month....hopefully another SE shows up...

I'd also ask;

Are you the owner and registered keeper on the V5

How many owners, including yourself

Does the car have full service history (if so, date and mileages please)

Are all the previous mot's present?

Is the car HpI clear (ie not a write off, outstanding finance etc)

Is the paintwork original or has any panel been sprayed

Any dents or significant scratches - please describe

Interior - please describe any tears or wear

How much mot and tax does the car have

Amazing how many cars have service history that has gaps, no receipts or bills, or don't tally with the mots...

To me, a service book with stamps in isn't a service history, it's a book with stamps in, you need the corresponding bills detailing the work done, or be prepared to chase them up with the garage (if they will play ball with you of course)

I'd also ask;

Are you the owner and registered keeper on the V5

How many owners, including yourself

Does the car have full service history (if so, date and mileages please)

Are all the previous mot's present?

Is the car HpI clear (ie not a write off, outstanding finance etc)

Is the paintwork original or has any panel been sprayed

Any dents or significant scratches - please describe

Interior - please describe any tears or wear

How much mot and tax does the car have

 

Thanks, rtz62...I'll add that to the list.

No probs mate

Years of inspecting ringed cars stands me in good stead...

No probs mate

Years of inspecting ringed cars stands me in good stead...

 

I've read some threads and articles on inspecting used cars, so I'll remind myself of the advice given there, since my last two cars were off eBay too. I'll plug in the VagCom and ask to look through all the paperwork. Hope I don't peeve off the seller by being thorough....then again, they shouldn't mind unless they have something to hide!

Urgh. The SE seller has an asking price of £5.5 k. Listed elsewhere too apparently and won't honour whatever the bidding goes up to. Waste of my time.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fantastic-Skoda-Fabia-vRS-1-9-TDI-Pd130-diesel-155bhp-55-mpg-/331078224835?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item4d15cccbc3

 

Is a cylinder failure a sign of worse things to come?

 

 

 

Apart from the leather seats, the metallic blue paintwork and being 1/1000 ever made, is spending the extra premium on the SE worth it? I have a set of 312 calipers to fit, so the 'sporty red' calipers are no big deal. Cruise control can be retrofitted if I desperately have the need and I'm not fussed over the darkened rear windows really.

 

Any advice?

Well my two-penneth worth is like this.

 

SWMBO has owned an SE and a standard vrs previously.

The SE was nice, but she didnt get on with the leather.It was a 2 owner car with FSH and low miles.

The red vrs was initially standard other than powerflex bushes all round, and then a 170 bhp conversion. It was a 1 owner car with FSH and 60k

Her current vrs is 2 owner (brothers),40k with fsh, 170+bhp and has heated seats, uprated discs and pads, etc

I agree about some of the bits, you can easily fit cruise and parking sensors aftermarket.

Leather is something I've never rated unless you have a premium brand were the leather is better quality.

Id look for a car with reasonable mileage and that is backed up by cast-iron history that x-refs with alll the bills and receipts, and of course the mots.

Of course, you could opt for a car that doesn't offer this, and adjust your price accordingly.

My personal preference is for a car that has that full history, after all, why would you 'lose' it or dispose of it? 

Condition is a personal preferene, to me it reflects on the owner (generally speaking of course; no one can help it if the car picks up the odd scratch or parking dent caused by others) but again factor it into the price.

The red vRS that swmbo sold was immaculate other than one 1/4" scratch (on the car when she bought it) and that was it.

Her current black vrs is similarly immaculate, and I'm sure when she sells it she will have buyer queuing up for the reasons abobe.

Ragged?

 

The SE is not worth the extra IMO, My std 05 plate has more options on it. only thing that's nice is the leather seats.

 

My fabia has Cruise, Heated seats and xenons all std fit.  don't think any of them items were std on the SE, they were options?

Thanks, rtz and billy. Appreciate your inputs.

 

Leather seats are a bonus, but I don't think I should pay the premium for it. I'm more looking for engine reliability and bodywork + interior in good condition. Should I steer away from the VRS' with 100k+ miles? Even if they sound as if they have been maintained well? Or just adjust the price accordingly?

adjust accordingly mate, mine had 73k on it in dec 2011 when I got it and its now on 118k+ Ive serviced it myself with genuine OEM parts from TPS inc oil every 6-11k depending on when it has felt like it needed it, I used longlife 5W30 oil at first as that's what I had and the car ran sweet for ages, hence the 11k, now I am using the 5W40 oil and I change it 6-8k when ever I can. last time I changed it was only after 5.5k as I had time, I also flush the engine and rinse it with some cheap Halfords 505.01 approved/certified oil. cant remember which but its not vag recommended just meets their spec.

 

Shame I am not selling mine anymore.

 

there will be one out there.

Thanks, Billy. Hopefully I'll find one owned by someone who has taken care of it as well as you have!

adjust accordingly mate, mine had 73k on it in dec 2011 when I got it and its now on 118k+ Ive serviced it myself with genuine OEM parts from TPS inc oil every 6-11k depending on when it has felt like it needed it, I used longlife 5W30 oil at first as that's what I had and the car ran sweet for ages, hence the 11k, now I am using the 5W40 oil and I change it 6-8k when ever I can. last time I changed it was only after 5.5k as I had time, I also flush the engine and rinse it with some cheap Halfords 505.01 approved/certified oil. cant remember which but its not vag recommended just meets their spec.

 

Shame I am not selling mine anymore.

 

there will be one out there.

How much should I adjust by for every 10k over the average mileage for a vehicle? I'm basing things on Parkers. For eg, that red one  http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fantastic-Skoda-Fabia-vRS-1-9-TDI-Pd130-diesel-155bhp-55-mpg-/331078224835?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item4d15cccbc3

 

2005 55reg etc is coming up as

• Franchised Dealer

  More info £4,295

• Independent Dealer

  More info £3,975

• Private Good

  More info £3,575

• Private Poor

  More info £2,660

• Part Exchange

  More info £3,135

The prices above are based on:

A mileage of 80,000 (average for age)

Options selected: None

 

 

 

The £2650 starting price is already near the private poor condition price, but estimate based on 80k miles.

To be honest, the Parkers guide is a waste of time. These cars just dont make this money. I dont know any car that makes Parkers valuations. The only way to value any car these days is to look at completed listings on ebay to get any kind of idea

 

If it was me id looking to knock at least £200 off for each 10k over average miles

This is what the owner of the red vrs had to say:

 

Any advisories on the last MOT?
- front discs and pads which have now been replaced on 18. October 2013.

Has the clutch+flywheel replaced?
- no, clutch is fine - was changed at 112,000 from memory.

Was the waterpump replaced with the cambelt?
- yes waterpump was replaced + other work. Please see email copy of invoice.

How much tread on the tyres? Any bulges?
- All good - one new rear one last week as there was a nail in it. No bulges

Has it spent any days on the track?
-nope

Any coolant or brake fluid changes?
- new coolant and brake fluid with service. Long life antifreeze and oil change.

Any suspension noises?
- none

Aircon blowing cold? When was it last regassed?
- Don't think it has aircon - ifd it does we have not used it. (unknown as to gassing)

Any leaks from the rain into the footwells?
- none

Rear washer working well?
-yep

Any issues with the power steering?
- none

Who carried out the remap? Any dyno graphs?
- previous owner. Sadly not. Not the greatest remap - I think it was 10% increase done by a local garage. Doesn't bother me as it is is quicker but just not as fast as it could be with a proper one.

Are you the owner and registered keeper on the V5
- yes

Are all the previous mot's present?
- Not all, but most.

Is the car HpI clear (ie not a write off, outstanding finance etc)
- nope but welcome to check

Is the paintwork original or has any panel been sprayed
- all original as far as I am aware. Very straight.

Any dents or significant scratches?
No. rear quarter (ds) has a small scuff but generally for an 8 year old car I'd say it was "good".

 

 

 

It's between this red VRS: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fantastic-Skoda-Fabia-vRS-1-9-TDI-Pd130-diesel-155bhp-55-mpg-/331078224835?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item4d15cccbc3

 

 

And this black VRS: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281217396174?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

If it was me I wouldn't go near the red one if its had problems with cylinders/head. As for the black one can't understand why the eml would be on because its had a remap???

If it was me I wouldn't go near the red one if its had problems with cylinders/head. As for the black one can't understand why the eml would be on because its had a remap???

Thanks, Jays. That's what I wanted to check as I wasn't sure if the fact that it has been repaired means it won't resurface again.

 

My plan was to visit the black one and plug my VagCom in....trying to sort out a convenient time with the seller. Given the red one is ruled out, I only have one trek to make.

 

Black one is HPI clear.

Not sure what he means by cylinder failure as the cylinder hasn't been replaced? More than likely he means cambelt failure but I'd

stay away from it myself.

I personally  wouldn't go for either of them the black 1 has been owned by him for a month and the reason he is getting rid is because he's decided to stick with his audi!!

i suspect there is a bigger reason to the sale of the fabia so quickly after buying and it probably has something to do with the eml light being on.

just my 2,pence worth

luckily when i bought mine in may this year the woman had owned it from it being 18month old

Never kid yourself into the 'I must have THAT one' syndrome; there's 00's of them out there, and it's amazing that even now there are one owner or low miles cars appearing out of the woodwork (likewise, there's a one owner RS500 Cosworth neR me but that's ssshhhh).

Patience, my friend; the right car will present itself.

Thanks for the advice, guys. Really appreciate it. Hope you all don't mind if I keep updating this thread with more that appear.

Hartlepool is a long way for me to trek just to plug in a VagCom and investigate the EML light!

On top of that the seller now reveals he won't let it go for less than 3.6k. I just don't understand people who list auctions and then indicate they won't honour the highest bid!

 

The dents put me off this black one: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SKODA-FABIA-VRS-TDI-PD-130-BLACK-2006-/231106710553?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item35cf088c19

As rtz said be patient and the right one will come along.

That black one you mention above sold and has been relisted.

There's so many scabby over priced cars out there at the moment, just play the waiting game and don't rush into anything it will be with it in the end.

I've been a month without a car and until the right one comes along at the right price I'll go another month without a car if I have to

To give you an idea, SWMBO paid £4200 for her 2005 '05', 40k with FSH, owned by 2 (mature I.e 45yrs & 49yrs old) brothers from new, has heated seats, Jabbasport remap, front strut brace, updated discs & pads, Milltek exhaust, double din Pioneer stereo with updated speakers and amp etc

Bodywork is mint, as are the wheels, SWMBO has had HIDs fitted.

Oh, and it was 8 miles from us (unlike her last vRS which was over 100 miles away, and the Octy vRS before that which was well over 200 miles away in Edinburgh!

All I'm trying to say is that there are plenty out there, sometimes even without travelling.

If there's any pop up in the Chesterfield / Mansfield /South Sheffield area, let me know and I'll go and look for you

As said, they are out there its just waiting for the right one at the right price.

 

Its quite funny the prices people have some cars up for and their condition etc but thats what happens when people read the Parkers guide. In the real world the only way to get a idea of the value of a car like i said before is to look at completed listings on ebay of cars that have actually sold.  

Often very good ones pop up on here, plus if the owner is a member, there may be substantial threads about the car.

SWMBO sold her last Fabia vRS on here to the first person who enquired, it was a minter.

I'd rather buy one from a member on here, (generally), than someone on fleabay.

Obviously it depends on the car,and to a certain extent, the owner.

As I say, if it's near me, I don't mind going to look for you.