I've just bought a 61 plate white Fabia VRS  which I collect on Saturday. I can't wait... but...

 

I've just been flicking through this forum and there seems to be a lot of people on here who have had to replace the 1.4 tsi engine which is getting me a bit worried!

 

Is this VERY common? Or is it a typical owners club forum problem which means it isn't really a massive problem but because people generally only go on forums to report problems with their cars that it makes it seem like a big problem?

 

If you can get your head around that previous sentence, what I'm basically trying to ask is should I be worried and think about taking warranty cover out etc or not?

 

Cheers, Gordz

I wouldn't worry..

 

What you have to remember is people generally come on here when they have problems so you see alot of them.. What you don't see are those thousands of other people who are really enjoying the car.

Get it ...

 

Drive it like you stole it ... (but only when the engine has warmed up!)

 

Enjoy it!

 

Oh yes, and check the oil weekly!

well yes and no, as said above we rarely use a forum for positive things but be mindful of the fact there arent thousands of us vrs owners, it isnt a massive seller so the number of engine failures is quite high

but............ its still a cracking car

i would recommend getting a longer warranty if you can, fancy engine and fancy gearbox means expensive repair costs if anything goes wrong

just remember to check the oil after every few 100 miles (be consistent and check it exactly the same way, place everytime) and stock up on cheap oil

but above all, enjoy the car it really is a great engine for the money

I wouldn't worry..

 

What you have to remember is people generally come on here when they have problems so you see alot of them.. What you don't see are those thousands of other people who are really enjoying the car.

 

Yeah, that's what I was hoping, thanks! 

 

Get it ...

 

Drive it like you stole it ... (but only when the engine has warmed up!)

 

Enjoy it!

 

Oh yes, and check the oil weekly!

 

Already been told off for driving it 'too spirited' during the test drive! All I wanted to do was test the paddle shift was working :p

well yes and no, as said above we rarely use a forum for positive things but be mindful of the fact there arent thousands of us vrs owners, it isnt a massive seller so the number of engine failures is quite high

but............ its still a cracking car

i would recommend getting a longer warranty if you can, fancy engine and fancy gearbox means expensive repair costs if anything goes wrong

just remember to check the oil after every few 100 miles (be consistent and check it exactly the same way, place everytime) and stock up on cheap oil

but above all, enjoy the car it really is a great engine for the money

 

Is the oil issue the key to having a healthy car? Is that the main cause of the engine issues?

Already been told off for driving it 'too spirited' during the test drive! All I wanted to do was test the paddle shift was working :p

 

If 'spirited' is your style then you will soon want to upgrade the suspension ...

I would get a warranty, yes, but purely because of the amount of tech under the bonnet.

 

They are oil users to some extent, but don't get too paranoid, just check it regularly. Mine uses a bit between services, but if I'm honest I very rarely check it and have only ever had the low oil warning once which I trust is the manufacturer's "safe" lowest oil tolerance level. Some do drink it down like fuel, however I'm sure some issues are all down to owners getting a bit paranoid and OCD with dipstick levels and weird and wonderful checking techniques.

from my ownership, oil is the main cause of concern, ive had an engine replaced and just had results back saying i use 0.49l per 1000k which only just by a midges **** means its passed again

spark plugs is another area where some have had issues, wearing out well before 40k, usually around 20k

but, as ive said, none of this puts me off my car, best car £ for £ at the time i bought it

just to set your mind at ease (OP) I have done 73,000 miles in these cars (I've had 2) and never had ONE issue

 

edit: that doesnt mean ignore the oil..... dont OVER fill .... if its between min and max its fine!

 

my current one uses a litre every 5,000 miles or so.... which is fine

 

shark

 

oh, and ENJOY IT , its one of the best engines out there! my current car is a keeper

If 'spirited' is your style then you will soon want to upgrade the suspension ...

 

Ha, in the past I would have... but my rock hard, bone shaking ride suspension days are over. Although only a short test drive, I like the compromise between comfort and handling of the Fabia.

 

just to set your mind at ease (OP) I have done 73,000 miles in these cars (I've had 2) and never had ONE issue

 

edit: that doesnt mean ignore the oil..... dont OVER fill .... if its between min and max its fine!

 

my current one uses a litre every 5,000 miles or so.... which is fine

 

shark

 

oh, and ENJOY IT , its one of the best engines out there! my current car is a keeper

 

Well that's comforting to hear a good story on here!

 

Decided to take a warranty out - £350 for 12 mths and the garage will throw in a full service too, which it needs in 1000miles anyway. Plus, from looking on here, the engines which go are around the 30k mark... which mine is nearly at. So fingers crossed, I've got a good one... but if not, the warranty will cover it

I think it's a misconception that engines 'go' or 'blow' at a certain mileage, you either have a good one or a bad one. A bad one will make it's self known pretty quickly!

Be worth asking for the warranty history on the car, just to check if its had anything done on it such as oil tests etc.

 

Just for some added piece of mind.

 

Once you do pick it up though, a H&R RARB and some Osram night breakers will improve the car no end.

Be aware that the likes of the 'Skoda Approved Extended Warranty'  sold by Skoda & covered & Provided by Car Care Plan ltd, 1 year £399, 2 years £547

 

Requires you to ask permission before having modifications done to the car, and states who needs to do them.

 

Be sure before buying used to find out the cars, Previous Warranty History;  and if an Oil Consumption Test has been Done,

But no further work.

 

If the test was done, and the Breather Pipe & Mod, with an ECU Update, but nothing more,]

i would move on and look at something else.

 

At 3 years old you will want the Brake Fluid Changed, and if the Spark Plugs are the Original maybe get them changed 

before the 40,000 mile Service Schedule.

£350 for a Years Warranty and a Service at 30,000 miles is cheap,  so see who is underwriting-Providing the Warranty, 

& if you are getting Brake Fluid and the Spark Plugs Changed.

 

george

Edited 22 July, 201411 yr by goneoffSKi

 

Be sure before buying used to find out the cars, Previous Warranty History;  and if an Oil Consumption Test has been Done,

But no further work.

 

If the test was done, and the Breather Pipe & Mod, with an ECU Update, but nothing more,]

i would move on and look at something else.

 

^This is the absolute golden rule when looking at a used Fabia vRS.

Get it ...

 

Drive it like you stole it ... (but only when the engine has warmed up!)

 

Enjoy it!

 

Oh yes, and check the oil weekly!

Fully agree.  But get a warranty on anything as complicated as a vRS.  I change my cars when the warranty runs out, but may not always afford to to this.