Hi everyone,

 

I've been looking for a good first car for some time now and I've recently come across a few nice mk1 fabia vRS' on auto trader from £2000 to £3000 

 

Wondering if it would make a good first car due to low insurance, good practicality and reliability while being fun to drive.

 

Also, what should I look out for when buying one? Maintanance, common problems etc. And any key specs I should look out for, Special editions for example.

 

Thanks for any help I can get

Hi, I’d certainly recommend a Mk1 VRS as a first car, or even second/third etc.... 

 

I owned one from 2012 to 2015 (I was 21 then) and it was the best car i’ve owned to date. My friends and I drove from the UK to Amsterdam in it and returned with an average MPG of 60 (so it’s cheap to run) and that was with a remap running 170bhp, so wasn’t a slouch either. 

 

It did blow a turbo with the remap, but it was still a solid car.

 

I can’t remember any common faults i’m afraid, but the SE model still commands a lot of money, coming in a unique blue and black leather, both only available on the SE. 

 

Good luck!

Matt

depends how old you are and many other factors, get some insurance quotes first otherwise you may get a surprise.

 

They are nice cars but getting on a bit now and especially as most are modified and remapped they do have a fair few issues. You need to look out for a well serviced standard car and keep it that way if you need reliability. They are all pretty similar with the only real options being cruise control, heated seats, sunroof, leather and xenons. Most of which isn't really essential.

Dont expect to buy one and be able to run it trouble free for years as you will have to spend to keep it going, and budget for clutch and turbo failures as they can happen if parts are original.

Certainly nothing to be put off by, probably above average reliability for their age and keep value quite well if looked after

Yep agreed with above most will be reaching a point where ongoing servicing has to be planned in.
The sweet spot of these cars for hassle free was aged new-5 years and 0-80K miles based on my experience of mine ( from new).

 

I've just hit the problem turbo failure at 140k as the inevitable, plus those who haven't had the job fixed properly could see recurrences which is annoying.

Then you can see things like ( even simple ones like from cheapest to more expensive)

Coolant tank electrics failure

Loom issues / alternator load wire

Rads leaking

DMF knocking or clutch failure

Shot suspension and console bushes

Turbo /or engine issues etc

- all common problems

 

Of the above the only one I have NOT seen is actual engine failure or clutch needing replacement but something like turbo can really dent your budget if you haven't planned for it......but you can check for history of the above to help with purchase

Think you are a bit mad to go for something that might be relatively high insurance, unless you check it and it works out reasonable
but in comparison in my 20s/25 or so I did get a Golf gti mk1 1.6 cost £700 some 20 years or so ago so I guess I can't talk so much The car was at least 2-3 times the premium though as opposed to what some do today though lol

Peronsally as a first car I'd recommend the 54bhp classic rather than a VRS!

My wife's insurance as a new driver was £600 for the year. Mine.. with 4 years no claims was about £800 on my octavia TDI.

 

The car in question is insurance group 2 - has very little to go wrong with it so shouldn't cost the earth to look after.

But hey - if you are after a VRS - check the for sale section. Andy has his for sale and it's a cracking price for what you're getting!

No regrets, have had mine for 12 years, trouble free other than the parts you expect to wear out, wipers battery, tyres, rear bearings, rear calliper seizure, rear door seals leak, check the carpets for moisture, but fantastic engines and the bodywork compared to newer models is very good, I have a 2014 Octavia and the paintwork is nowhere near the quality of the MK1 Fabia.

I had one when it 1st came out & had it for 4 1/2 years,  just bought No2  - an 07 plate ( not SE)

 

I agree about getting some insurance quotes specially as the unmodified ones are now rare and these will be cheaper to insure.

 

There are a few insurance companies around that would not quote me on mine which has remap and lowered suspension and I am on other side of 50 with bundles of years NCD, clean license. .

 

Go for one with LOTS of paperwork to prove service / wear and tear repairs,  while searching note the reg and look on MOT check on the .gov website to see  if the advisories and fails are the usual things like tyres, brake pads, handbreak too high,  expect cv gaiters, leaky suspension - Make sure these do not appear at next MOT as it means the owner is not looking after the car.
Dont be frightened of 130K + miles provided its been serviced properly these engines will do well over 250k miles.

 

Test drive before laying out any cash - if anything bothers you no matter how small - walk away as this will niggle at you if you do go ahead.

On 01/08/2018 at 14:28, renrutp76 said:

nice mk1 fabia vRS

low insurance

 

 

The MKI vRS has a lovely 1.9pd 130 engine although many are chipped - service history essential - declare ALL mods to an insurance company and sorry the mk1 Fabia vRS does not have low insurance - especially for a new driver.

 

We had some multi £1000 insurance quotes for my son  -  He's now got my old 2001 Octavia with the 75bhp 1.416v which was reasonable re insurance.

 

Whatever you are going to buy get insurance quotes before you commit.

 

 

 

 

Edited 31 August, 20187 yr by bigjohn