My wife just got her Fabia III Combi in its "Clever" version and after 400km is now certain she cannot use the armrest. Keeping it in an upright position is not just annoying (blocks access to the rear) but also hinders me as I'm significantly taller and somewhat broader than her and thus but my elbow and shoulder into it continuously.

 

Is there a DIY solution where we remove the entire thing?

 

Thanks,

René

There is a small tray behind the armrest.  If you remove the armrest you will need a longer tray to cover the hole. Not sure if skoda sells it.

How big a hole are we talking about, and what's underneath? I don't think we'd mind losing the tray (if it's part of the armrest) or installing some 3rd party cover/tray/whatever.

I see that the basic Fabia in its "Active" version doesn't have an armrest but a larger tray, and the armrest as an option (120€). It *should* be possible to source that tray, no?

6V0858373  9B9

I presume that's the part number?

It is, yes! Pls "google" it to see if that's the part required.

https://www.oemvwshop.fr/6V08583739B9-casier-encastrable-noir-satine-p325256/

 

It looks like it's the required part, with just an uncertainty if it'll fit an early 2018 Fabia Estate (Combi). Do I read correctly that this fits the models from 2015 onwards?

I should have asked at once:

 

how much work would it be to swap out the armrest for the tray? I've been discouraged formally to do it myself, and the dealer where the car was bought quoted 1h15 (@ 95€/hour ...) for the operation.

 

That's a lot of money for a correction that we would have negotiated as part of the car's acquisition if we'd been able to do a real test drive...!

I think if you know what you are doing it is 20min job to take that armrest off.

That would have been my guess if it's a 30min job to get it on.

 

Provided you can work without fear of breaking off all tabs that hold the caches together. Would be nice if the whole ensemble came out in a state where we can try to sell it, given its value.