Hi, I own a 2008 Fabia 1.9tdi and when using it for work, 10 miles at 30-40 mph I achieve approx. 58mpg which I think is ok for an estate car. However I have just bought a 2002 Fabia 1.4 petrol hatch. On the same journey the mpg struggles to reach 38 mpg. Is this normal for this type of car ? 

8-valve 1.4 MPI, or 16-vlave?

Slightly disappointing if the latter, probably as expected if the former.

Cheers for the reply. It`s the 8 valve engine. Just fitted a nice set of winter tyres so quite enjoying the snow at the moment so don`t mind the low mpg at the moment. 

It's normal. The 1.4 MPI engine design is ancient (it was used in the old rear-engined Skodas) and not very efficient. Generally a tough little unit though, apart from rattly timing chains.

I love the 38mpg mine gives me........my honda HRV at best gave 25mpg. 

 

As other say the mighty 8 valve MPi is a tough little cookie and has good low down torque and can buzz along quiet happily with bigger engines cars. Time it right and you can bust past islands / bends without a gear change or using the brakes leaving you plenty of go to power away. 

My 8v 1.4 2000 model varies anywhere from 28 at worst to 38 at best - so you're off to a good start!

 

MPG is the only real letdown, but it's an old OHV pushrod design

Yeah ****e MPG on those

1.4L 74kW BBZ petrol: ...6L/100km highway, ...7L/100km normal city traffic, ...9L/100km very hard city traffic.

Have spent the last 15 years driving 1.9Tdi Fabia estates so have got used to 60+mpg. The Fabia 1.4 was bought for the kids to learn to drive in and use when they pass their tests so they can have the pleasure of filling it up.