I've just picked up my new to me 51 plate 1.4 16v 100bhp Fabia and a bulb warning light has come on.All the lights/ bulbs appear to be working! Then the engine management light came on.... The car has just had a cam belt and water pump change and a service ( oil/filter change) before I picked it up.I can't see any connection but maybe someone knows different! Any advice greatfully received!

Sounds like it might be the dreaded brake light switch fault, check it.

Is this a common problem then and an easy fix?! Is it okay to keep driving the car?!! Its literally been in my possession about 3 hours!

Yes and yes.

The brake light has a very important function so I understand it is actually a dual switch. If the ECU finds that one or other part of the switch is not functioning it will create an fault (I think on a diesel it is the glow plug light that comes on) even though the brake lights may still see to be working as normal.

 

The switch itself is a little difficult to install but fine once you get the nack. I was advised to buy two on the basis that I would get the first one wrong annd break it.

 

If anyone believes the above to be hogwash - please advise.

Another day and more problems! Driving Home from work tonight and the coolant level warning light came on.When I checked it was below minimum.Am gutted! Car returned to seller to be 'fixed'.

On top of that the boot won't open using the remote key, only using the catch inside and as the boot shuts in a certain way and doesn't shut every time, it's a right pain!

Also when I stopped the car tonight to drop it back it was revving by its self......

I know car buying second hand is a chance but this hasn't started very well to put it mildly!

Sounds like you've bought a lemon there, bad luck fella, coolant loss will be the radiator leaking. Boot catch problems are common as well.

check for mayo if you're loosing coolant, prolly cracked header tank

The saga continues..... The bulb warning light was diagnosed as a faulty switch.A new switch was ordered and fitted by the sellers garage but didn't fix the problem.Another visit to the Auto electrician and it now seems it's the "control box" for the lights! Apparently it's a common VW/Skoda problem?!

I am still waiting to receive my car with no warning lights so I can book it into my local independent VW/Skoda Garage so they can check it over and tell me if I've brought a pile of trouble or a car with a few niggles!

Update to the above.... My local VW/Skoda independent garage has now looked at and fixed the various bodges on my car, which included a knackered radiator full of rad weld and a pipe squeezed up with a jubilee clip to stop a leak..... So that worked out at a new radiator,Thermostat housing,pipe from engine to water pump,wishbone bushes and various seals and washers.

It's cost me a lot of money to sort but I do like the car! The strange thing is its one previous owner/full main dealer service history so it's been tarted up to sell recently and it worked because I brought it! Cautionary tale then.......

Nothing worse than buying a lemon!

It gives the cars a bad name when that happens really, they are a good reliable car if looked after.