Hi i am looking for a good used Roomster  for use locally due to its apparent excellent carrying capacity .I may go for a Fabia estate if i cannot find a suitable Roomster. It will be used for local runs so i want a petrol engine .I have driven a Roomster HTP 1200 which appears  to be a lovely little engine even with over 100k on it . From what i can gleam from reading various snippets  the 1.2 engine HTP had a cam chain that can give problems especially if not serviced regularly.Am i right in the impression I got that later HTP engines where redesigned  to be the best and are relatively trouble free ? Or are they not recommended? Other engines are the 1.4 petrol and 1.6 petrol some of which can apparently have various  known problems but again its difficult to establish what to look out for and dates mods were carried out to production .The 1.4 16 valve looks favourite to me for volume availability  can anyone give me any information of the durability and any specific years or build dates of known problem build specs or experience (good and bad ) with these engines?.I am looking for a fairly old model 2007-8 are there any other pitfalls to look out for ?Any information from a knowledgeable  Roomster enthusiast would be most helpful.

My Roomster is that age, I've had it from new. So if that is anything to go by. I've had to replace the drivers door loom. They break in the door rubber gaitor and the door loom needs replacing, the complete looms are about £90. But who knows yours may of already been done. So check all electric windows work and the all locked up led flashes intermittently when locked.

Also I've had to replace the front console bushes, the originals started knocking. Especially noticeable traversing speed humps. I think 2 new bushes were about £20 and the tool to change them a little more.

The A/C control module went (the bit with knobs on above the radio) and all I got was hot air. For that I got a £30 2nd hand one off eBay.

Rear reversing sensors failed, producing a continuous bleep. They are only about £20 each for any replacements required.

Other than the above I've only had to do normal yearly services. Overall it has been a very reliable car.

I have no idea other than the door loom in my failures being common.

 

Similar age and engine to Aubreys, so neither of us petrols.

 

Stuff I can recall over 4.5yrs of used-car ownership (bought second-hand at c 50k miles, now approaching 91k miles).

 

Rear hatch wiring inside the gaiter failed, ready-made repair kit fitted.(Sencom, Germany, via interweb).

Electric window motor-cum-controller replaced (in RH front door). OEM replacement part.)

Vacuum control box on offside scuttle replaced. (OEM replacement part.)

Console bushes failed, fitted stiffer Mehle/Mahle german ones, (via carspares shop., located by web search.)

Driver door latch and locking assembly stopped responding to remote; latch assembly replaced (used item sourced via the bay of e).

Electric/heated door mirrors control switch in drivers door damaged during fitting of latch kit, (in particular the removal and refitting of the door card) replacement from local Skoda dealer (at trade price).

Rear discs and pads recently replaced. (fronts done maybe 2yrs ago).

Crappy standard projector headlight bulbs replaced with HID kit, sourced online (London Colour the supplier).

Front sidelights, both sets interior headlining bulbs, and both rear number-plate bulbs, all replaced with LED ones that somehow use the same current as conventional bulbs, so don't cause a "blown bulb" alert, but are significantly brighter, especially the cabin, which to my eyes changed from dingy pub to more like operating-theatre! (Powerbulbs here in Wakefield, and a trade stand at Briskoda National at Rockingham in 2016.)

 

Hope that helps.

Overall, probably the most versatile and practical car I've owned in nearly 48yrs.