Rapid Spaceback 1.2TSi 2016/7 - questions + anything to be wary of ?

[delta925]

I currently have a 2011 Fabia Estate Elegance 1.6CR 105 Tdi which I bought new and now has just over 60k on the clock. My original plan was to keep it for 10 years but I now have decided to swap it within 6 months to ( hopefully ) avoid spending any more on it beyond fuel.

 

While the Mk3 Fabia is a little larger than the Mk2 the Rapid Spaceback give more space particularly the luggage area with the rear seats up without overall being much larger than my Mk2 Estate.

 

I will be looking at a 16 or 66 plate to keep to £20 / £30 VED for another 5-6 years and the SE Tech for similar spec to my Fabia including climate control while adding RDS radio and Sat Nav. A 66 plate SE Tech 1.2TSi ( 110 ) with 17k miles has come up locally so if not sold by the weekend I will go to look at it.

 

I don't want diesel again, had I known what I do now about DPF's EGR's etc I would not have bought diesel in 2011 not to mention the VAG scandal and the poor mpg.  Having said that the 1.2 TSi of that era was problematic too.

 

My questions are

- generally are there any issues to be aware of or special checks to make ?

- have there been any recalls to check carried out ?

- Is my understanding correct that by the 2016 build the various issues with earlier 1.2TSi variants were all resolved ?

- does the 2016/7 SE Tech have standard reflector headlights not the projector type ?

-      ( My Fabia has dipped beam projector and a separate reflector main beam, not the even worse single bulb projector with a flap for dipped beam )

- the DRL's look to be in the inner headlight next to the grill. Is main beam also there or is the outer bulb dual filament dipped and main beam ?

 

Thanks in advance.

[camelspyyder]

2016 1.2 TSI is the new belt driven 16V engine. All new and definitely not  the chain cam 8V TSI which had the chequered earlier history.

 

Just looked at some for sale, they have conventional headlamps, no projector lamps or Xenon's (LHD only for those).

 

Note the VW cambelt life is only 5 years, so buying a 66 puts you only 2 years away from that bill, but if you want the 1.2 you can't buy much newer. The 1.0 came out in mid 2017.

 

 

Edited 15 October, 2019 by camelspyyder

[delta925]

Camelspyyder,

 

Thanks for you comments.

 

Yes I'm well aware of the VAG 5 year cambelt life.

Back in 2010 I was lead to believe the 1.6CR TDi had a ' fit for life ' Continental cambelt. My service schedule / record booklet simply states something like ' Check every 210,000 km / ~150,000 miles followed by every ????? km / miles '. No mention at all of routine replacement. Only later did I find the 5 year schedule / 60000 mile schedule. Hence I was £400 down in 2016.

 

Directly I have no preference of 1.0 or 1.2.

Is the 1.0 cam chain rather than belt ?

Are there any issues with the 1.0 particularly the early ones ?

 

Indirectly VED for a car registered after 1 April 2017 is much higher, I've not looked at the exact amount but guess at least £100 more so £500 more over 5 years, and I've not seen a 1.0 with a 66 plate. Also my budget only really stretches to a car ~3 years old and the depreciation from 2 to 3 years is significantly more than 1/5 of cambelt & water pump replacement cost.

[Robbydazzler]

I have had cars with 1.2 8 valves, 1.2 16valves and 1.0 12 valves  engines in my Rapid/Toledos. In my opinion the 1.2 16 valve is the best all round engine but not by much. The 1.0 engine is the most powerful and frugal but lacks a little smoothness in comparison to the 1.2. All the engines have given me no problems and are a revelation compared to naturally aspirated units of the same capacity. If your are not stuck on the Spaceback why not take a look at the Toledo which is generally better equipped and better value than the Rapid,

[camelspyyder]

Depending on budget, the last brand new Toledos in stock are under 12k now ( autotrader )

 

But you're correct about VED the 1.0  costs a lot more (and late registered 1.2 do as well)

 

 

 

Edited 16 October, 2019 by camelspyyder

[delta925]

Robbydazzler and Camelspyyer,

 

Thank you for your comments particularly confirmation that both the last version of the 1.2TSi and the 1.0TSi have no fundamental issues.

 

The full background is back in 2010 I was driving a 2000 Audi A4 1.9TDi estate that was bought privately with 75k on the clock at a good price in 2005 when I needed a car in a hurry while the seller needed the cash even though he only bought it a few months earlier from a trade centre then paid the main dealer for a full service, cambelt change and multi CD changer. He was down by around almost £5k.

 

I was initially looking for a 3 - 4 year old A3 sportback but anything decent and sensible mileage was fetching good money, more than I want to pay for a car to run for 5 - 6 years. Core to this was many more business users keeping cars until 60k miles. I then found an ex-demo Fabia Estate 1.6CR Elegance for sale. When I got to the dealer it was provisionally sold but I was told with the current ' we pay the VAT ' deal if I could wait 5 - 6 months I could order a new car for very little more. It was a no-brainer to get a car almost 12 months newer to a specification of my choice. With a 10 year ownership view it was affordable. I needed the estate then to fit in a wheelchair, a walker and other paraphernalia with 3 passengers.

 

Now boot space isn't so critical but the current Fabia hatch is still really too small hence the thought of a Rapid Spaceback rather than another Fabia Estate. My other thought is a 1.0 Focus primarily because of the reputation of one fairly local dealer. The downside would be paying more for a similar specification, although partly balanced by the higher value in 5 years time, and the smaller luggage area. I hadn't really considered the larger Rapid or it's close relative the Toledo but something to think about.

 

I've now arrange to see this Spaceback on Saturday. The attraction is fairly local, the 16k mileage, the low VED and there seem to be a few extras over the standard SE Tech specification. The window price isn't bad but equally there are others nationally at less. It will be a test of what exactly is in the dealer package and what they will give as a px on my Fabia. Since not essential to change imminently I can play hard-to-get.

 

On Friday I will aim to get a cash price for my Fabia from a local 2nd hand only trader. In the past I have paid out less selling this way. I sold the Audi privately gaining perhaps £400 after costs but am unsure if while less than average miles if I'd sell the Fabia, the undesirable Euro5 1.6CR diesel remember, quickly for vastly more plus I've not really got the time.

[delta925]

I went to see and test drive the car. Fundamentally the car all seems fine.

 

Verbally told service just done & full service history. First MOT not due for 8 weeks. Two cheapo front tyres fitted - see my post here

https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/473459-davanti-dx390-tyres-ok-or-ditchfinder/

 

The dealer is, as far as I can determine, the official VW & Skoda dealer for the area. However their used cars do not have the Skoda Approved package which I understand is 12 month warranty, breakdown, MOT when due and 5 days insurance. All this dealer includes in the ticket price is 3 months warranty. With nearly 2 months manufacturer warranty left really they are only covering just over a month. Any more has to be paid for and 12 months takes the bottom line over the ticket price.

I need to find out more about the policy too as it may not be the Skoda policy nor good value.

If I was dealing instead with a trade centre fair enough so long as the ticket price was lower.

 

PX price for my Fabia not great but not surprising as too old to put on the forecourt. However a local used car dealer will give me £300 more and being realistic once on inspection they knock down the headline price the same or more than WBAC. The logistics are a bit of an issue though since no 5 day insurance on the Rapid.

 

The balance is if I leave it will something similar come up fairly local that overall is a better package at a similar ticket price in the next 3 months ?

This dealer is 20ish miles away, I definitely would not use the nearest Skoda one.

 

For long term support there is a local independent VAG specialist who I have used for 4 years and one reason for buying Skoda again.

 

Looking nationally the price is reasonable rather than good because missing the Skoda Approved package. There are potentially better deals e.g. there is a 68 plate going for £10k .... but in Scotland.

 

Edited 22 October, 2019 by delta925

[camelspyyder]

If you don't like the tyres, support package, price or dealer, buy one somewhere else. I took 3 buses 60 miles across the county to collect a new car because the price was matched to the cheapest quote from any dealer in the whole of the UK. Never went back there for service though, it was too far away.

Edited 23 October, 2019 by camelspyyder

[MickA]

Similar to the above, I bought a Toledo but it's been nowhere near a Seat dealer. Bought from Preston, I live in Derby (a day out at Lytham st Anne's after collection 😁) it's been to a Skoda dealer 1st service then my local garage thereafter but last year I started self servicing.

I part ex my Skoda for this car, I got a decent price for that to bother trying to find a private buyer.

In the throws of looking for a another new car, maybe next year loads to choose from so no need to jump in, I take my time and search country wide.

I am currently looking at a new MG, no not the sporty type (I have my MX-5) no it's their new SUV range, they look tempting but I need to think about these budget ranges more, but hey so was the Toledo.

Edited 23 October, 2019 by MickA

[delta925]

I now have a copy of the warranty & roadside assistance offered by this dealer.

 

The first thing to catch out the unsuspecting, and count me in until a couple of days after the viewing, is that it is not a Skoda / VAG product. Second the enhanced Platinum cover is limited e.g. it excludes the cooling system and any damage due to overheating. The exhaust is excluded and as not specifically mentioned presumably CAT or DPF. Except for damage from external impact these two expensive items ought to be covered on a low mileage car. Different if 80,000k and 4+ years old.

 

Then there is the roadside assistance. If at least a temporary repair can not quickly be made at the road side the cover is only to take the  car and passengers to a repairer not more than 30 miles away. If the repair will take more than 8 hours £35 a day is paid towards a hire car BUT NOT for any delay to work commencing. So, as I interpret, have a non-roadside fixable failure 150 miles from home at 8pm on a Bank Holiday weekend Saturday you and the car get taken to a repairer that will not open until 9am Tuesday.

Skoda / VAG breakdown with full recovery is around £150 for two years.

For a 3 year old sub 20k mileage car the probability of failure should be low hence across annual sales low cost hence I think reasonable to expect 12 months warranty except from a trade centre.

 

I'm leaving this for now. Should the price drop I will think again but just with 3 months warranty then arrange breakdown & full recovery cover. Given the retail rather than trade cost of warranty debatable if to pay or take the risk given anything significant should show up in 3 months.

 

While I started out seeking a 66 reg to only pay £20 / 30 RFL rather than £145 for another 5 - 6 years if year old cars with 12k - 15k miles are coming up for around £10k perhaps the way to go.