Hello, I’m planning to replace my trusty but now aging MK2 Fabia Combi 1.2 TDICR. 
 

I would quite like another Skoda because of how happy I have been with my current one and because of the value. I’ve been looking at Skoda Rapids, and they seem to tick nearly all of my boxes, except for one thing : engine reliability. 
 

Although the owners ratings of this car are strong according to Auto Trader, every time I try and research the engines, I come across some frightening ‘common’ or ‘known’ issues with them, namely the timing chain problems on the 1.2 TSI, and the Injector, EGR and DPF problems on the 1.6 TDICR. 

This is really putting me off as I feel as though no matter what version I buy I’ll be playing with fire. I understand that the newer 1.2 TSI’s after 2015 are belt driven rather than chains, but these are usually out of budget save for a few lucky finds. 
 

I am a little more confident about the 1.6 TDI than the TSI as I currently own a 1.2 TDI, which is pretty much the same engine minus a cylinder, and I’ve had nothing to complain about (although I shouldn’t jinx it) other than rattling fuel lines. It seems to cope with my use case just fine, which nowadays tends to be relatively short journeys, but enough for it to warm up, on fast country and A roads. I always let it finish regenerating. 
 

Should the 1.6 TDI be much the same in terms of reliability? Or is the injector problem more of an issue? 
 

Is it a given that the 1.2 TSI will have issues with the chain? Will it require expensive regular chain maintenance? 
 

Or is it the case that I’ve just spent too long looking at potential issues with these engines and it’s given me a way worse view of reliability than is actually the case?

 

Thank you and sorry for the long post.

Maybe you need to look again and which might have issues.  As for regular chain maintenance, no idea where that idea comes from.  Just do not get a 1.2 TSI euro 5 engine car from before VW revised / updsted /upgraded the chain tensioner by 2012, or get one that got the upgrade if a 2010-2012 car.  You know about TDI,s do maybe avoid Euro 5,s that got the VW fix. Or look for ones that had that rolled back and a remap. 

Edited 21 November, 20205 yr by e-Roottoot

I have a 2014 Rapid Spaceback with a chain-driven 1.2 TSI. No issues. I believe the chain issues in that engine predate the Rapid by a good couple of years and were addressed before the first Rapids went into production. 

45 minutes ago, chrisgreen said:

I have a 2014 Rapid Spaceback with a chain-driven 1.2 TSI. No issues. I believe the chain issues in that engine predate the Rapid by a good couple of years and were addressed before the first Rapids went into production. 

That’s great to hear, thanks for your reply. 
That’s made me feel much better. 

2 hours ago, e-Roottoot said:

Maybe you need to look again and which might have issues.  As for regular chain maintenance, no idea where that idea comes from.  Just do not get a 1.2 TSI euro 5 engine car from before VW revised / updsted /upgraded the chain tensioner by 2012, or get one that got the upgrade if a 2010-2012 car.  You know about TDI,s do maybe avoid Euro 5,s that got the VW fix. Or look for ones that had that rolled back and a remap. 

Thanks for your reply. I think the idea of expensive chain maintenance came from reading horror stories of earlier engines that would stretch chains regularly. 
 

I’ll also look into finding out whether the TDI’s I’m looking at had the fix or not. 
 

Out of interest, do you know if there’s much of a difference between the TSI 86 and 105 models in terms of reliability?

There is no reason for there to be any difference in reliability of a 1.2 TSI no mater the power output from 2012 on.

Just be sure of good air filter, plugs and oil, and no need for 5w 30 FS Long Life Oil (VW504 00) if you want to use 5w 40 FS and service on fixed servicing. VW502 00

1 hour ago, e-Roottoot said:

There is no reason for there to be any difference in reliability of a 1.2 TSI no mater the power output from 2012 on.

Just be sure of good air filter, plugs and oil, and no need for 5w 30 FS Long Life Oil (VW504 00) if you want to use 5w 40 FS and service on fixed servicing. VW502 00

Thanks for your advice, I always make sure my car gets a service so that should be fine. I usually service at a local garage that uses OEM Vag parts because I’ve always found the Škoda dealer awkward to deal with and overpriced for what they do, but I’ve noted down those oil specifications. 

 

Thanks again
 

 

That is about a TSI.

 

The TDI's get Long Life oil even if on fixed servicing.

VW 504 00 / 507 00.        So that is 5w 30 III  (Full Synthetic & Long Life).   VW507 00 being the spec.

I can say my 1.2 Tsi (105) runs sweetly. Regular oil changes, bit OTT here I change at around 5-6k miles, that's all I do per annum.

Agree the Rapid , for me it's the Toledo flavour, ticks all the boxes. Into 6 year ownership now, I've looked at many cars/mini SUV types and can't really find anything that could be better to change to for bangs for bucks like this one. Couple that with cheap for me insurance, running costs and £30 VED what's not to like.

Edited 21 November, 20205 yr by MickA

2 minutes ago, MickA said:

.....

 

Edited 21 November, 20205 yr by MickA
Posted by mistake

38 minutes ago, MickA said:

I can say my 1.2 Tsi (105) runs sweetly. Regular oil changes, bit OTT here I change at around 5-6k miles, that's all I do per annum.

Agree the Rapid , for me it's the Toledo flavour, ticks all the boxes. Into 6 year ownership now, I've looked at many cars/mini SUV types and can't really find anything that could be better to change to for bangs for bucks like this one. Couple that with cheap for me insurance, running costs and £30 VED what's not to like.

Part of what appeals to me is that depreciation has not been kind to them here in the uk. I guess it’s just because they weren’t really designed for the UK market and the strange, backward priorities people seem to want here. What that means is that for a used buyer like me, I can now get a fairly new, low mileage, big, solidly built and cheap to run car for ridiculously cheap. 
 

I’m amazed by the running costs as you mention. The Rapid 105 Elegance is substantially cheaper to insure than my current Fabia, despite it being larger, more expensive and more powerful. 
 

Why these weren’t more popular is beyond me. 

1 hour ago, CS45 said:

Part of what appeals to me is that depreciation has not been kind to them here in the uk. I guess it’s just because they weren’t really designed for the UK market and the strange, backward priorities people seem to want here. What that means is that for a used buyer like me, I can now get a fairly new, low mileage, big, solidly built and cheap to run car for ridiculously cheap. 
 

I’m amazed by the running costs as you mention. The Rapid 105 Elegance is substantially cheaper to insure than my current Fabia, despite it being larger, more expensive and more powerful. 
 

Why these weren’t more popular is beyond me. 

 

Back in 2014 my Toledo was £11499 new but pre reg. So only 10 miles on the clock, fully loaded, sat nav, climate, even a proper spare wheel, full mats set, cargo net etc. The only thing it lacks are heated seats but with cloth fabric not really a big deal.

I've had all amounts of stuff in the rear, seats down its acts as an estate more or less, massive space.

Tried to sell it around 2 years ago, no takers it would have been a good buy, keeping it for now, only 26k on the clock.

1 hour ago, CS45 said:

Part of what appeals to me is that depreciation has not been kind to them here in the uk. I guess it’s just because they weren’t really designed for the UK market and the strange, backward priorities people seem to want here.

Curious, what are these “strange, backward priorities” that you think UK car buyers have that differ so much from other markets?

2 hours ago, MickA said:

I can say my 1.2 Tsi (105) runs sweetly. Regular oil changes, bit OTT here I change at around 5-6k miles, that's all I do per annum.

Likewise, I oil change every 6 months, service every 12. Only doing about 6,000 a year these days so it’s OTT on the maintenance, but it’s a trivial cost & effort to keep the car in tip top condition. 

5 minutes ago, chrisgreen said:

Curious, what are these “strange, backward priorities” that you think UK car buyers have that differ so much from other markets?

As an example, I’ll look at the Irish Market, where cars that are perceived as ‘boring’ but reliable such as the Toyota Camry receive glowing reviews, whereas in the UK, reviewers generally perceive it as slightly too  ‘average’.

 

Maybe ‘backward’ was a bit strong, but I certainly don’t understand why the British market doesn’t really appreciate these sorts of cars anymore. 
 

Another example is that the Rapid is continuing to be produced for the Russian market, whereas it really wasn’t ever that popular here. 
 

I think that the UK market is gradually becoming much less conservative, which may explain why the trend is to favour cars like the A-Class and the 1-Series over a larger, but equivalently priced mainstream car. 
 

Having said that, in retrospect it may well be me that is the strange one, as after all I chose a Skoda Estate as my first car rather than the popular and more stylish options like the Corsa and Fiesta! I got plenty of ridicule about that until people started asking for lifts🤣

The 1.2 TSI/ 105 is the nicest 4 cylinder I have ever driven. Period. Smooth, more powerful than its 105PS rating (independent dyno tests of stock cars showing 116 -120PS can be viewed around the internet)

 

That said its almost impossible to hit the EU mpg figures for the 105 even driving like a nun. The 86PS version is more torquey and more economic in the real world.

 

Down side. The turbo actuator seized at 26000 miles resulting in a replaced turbo.  This is not a one off. My 1.0 TSI has this year had the same failure at 15000 miles.

 

Diesels? Newer versions of the 1,6 are much more refined these days but the 2013 Rapid TDI I drove sounded like a concrete mixer. In comparison the 1.4 TDI sounds like a broken concrete mixer. After driving a silky smooth 1.2 TSI I could never have bought an oil burner with its lack of refinement, worse ride/handling/tyre wear etc. But the 1.6 TDI is ultimately the most tuneable engine in the range I think, if thats what you want.

 

I think the diesel injector horror stories on here have all been about the Indian market Rapid, a different car altogether.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 21 November, 20205 yr by camelspyyder

The Rapid is exceedingly backward, or low tech, in fact, being a parts bin job mostly based on Golf Mk 4 (Replaced in Europe in 2003).

I don't think it was ever really aimed at Western Europe, but at developing markets, much like PSA's crummy C-Elysee / 301,

but if bought cheap  its perfectly adequate transport for 4.

My 2 brand new ones cost a total of 25k which I think is amazing value.

 

 

Edited 21 November, 20205 yr by camelspyyder

23 minutes ago, camelspyyder said:

The 1.2 TSI/ 105 is the nicest 4 cylinder I have ever driven. Period. Smooth, more powerful than its 105PS rating (independent dyno tests of stock cars showing 116 -120PS can be viewed around the internet)

 

That said its almost impossible to hit the EU mpg figures for the 105 even driving like a nun. The 86PS version is more torquey and more economic in the real world.

 

Down side. The turbo actuator seized at 26000 miles resulting in a replaced turbo.  This is not a one off. My 1.0 TSI has this year had the same failure at 15000 miles.

 

Diesels? Newer versions of the 1,6 are much more refined these days but the 2013 Rapid TDI I drove sounded like a concrete mixer. In comparison the 1.4 TDI sounds like a broken concrete mixer. After driving a silky smooth 1.2 TSI I could never have bought an oil burner with its lack of refinement, worse ride/handling/tyre wear etc. But the 1.6 TDI is ultimately the most tuneable engine in the range I think, if thats what you want.

 

I think the diesel injector horror stories on here have all been about the Indian market Rapid, a different car altogether.

 

 

 

 

 

Yes I’ve heard it said before that the 86ps feels more torquey, unsure why that is but coming from a diesel that would be nice. 
 

I was amazed to hear the about the presence of early 2000’s Golf in the Rapid’s underpinnings, it makes me wonder if there is any original beetle in there. 
 

 

40 minutes ago, CS45 said:

Yes I’ve heard it said before that the 86ps feels more torquey, unsure why that is but coming from a diesel that would be nice. 
 

I was amazed to hear the about the presence of early 2000’s Golf in the Rapid’s underpinnings, it makes me wonder if there is any original beetle in there. 
 

 

The chassis is a mix of low tech Golf & Polo bits.

Its not very confidence inspiring in standard form to be honest, you can feel it lurching in bumpy bends taken at speed and the body can be felt twisting.

The ride gets bad reviews, but the motoring media tarred it with that brush at the 2012 launch and never bothered to revise their opinion.

The steering on early cars was poor too, but both suspension and steering were redesigned in late 2013.

My 2014 and 2018 spec cars both came on factory 17s and both rode acceptably, although its very tyre dependent.

The ride is widely regarded as better on 16s or even 15s but they do look a little small.

 

 

Edited 21 November, 20205 yr by camelspyyder

12 minutes ago, camelspyyder said:

The chassis is a mix of low tech Golf & Polo bits.

Its not very confidence inspiring in standard form to be honest, you can feel it lurching in bumpy bends taken at speed and the body can be felt twisting.

The ride gets bad reviews, but the motoring media tarred it with that brush at the 2012 launch and never bothered to revise their opinion.

The steering on early cars was poor too, but both suspension and steering were redesigned in late 2013.

My 2014 and 2018 spec cars both came on factory 17s and both rode acceptably, although its very tyre dependent.

The ride is widely regarded as better on 16s or even 15s but they do look a little small.

 

 

Thank you for your info, I will need to take one on a test drive to see what I think. I’m planning on getting a late 2013 or newer model anyway, but I’ll be sure to test it first. 
 

I think you’re right, the damage was already done by the time Skoda updated it. 
 

Thanks again

Yeah, the Rapid is a total parts bin special. But one that hangs together fairly well.

 

While some parts are specific to the model (like the hideously expensive tailgate wiring loom I just had to replace), most are common parts. Case in point - the armrest cover. The hinges finally broke (common issue) and as its the same armrest used on several Polo and Golf iterations, no problem sourcing all manner of original and copy replacement parts. 

41 minutes ago, chrisgreen said:

Yeah, the Rapid is a total parts bin special. But one that hangs together fairly well.

 

While some parts are specific to the model (like the hideously expensive tailgate wiring loom I just had to replace), most are common parts. Case in point - the armrest cover. The hinges finally broke (common issue) and as its the same armrest used on several Polo and Golf iterations, no problem sourcing all manner of original and copy replacement parts. 

Thats good to know, thanks for your info

Going by personal experience i'd say buy a Rapid with caution & dont get a diesel rapid if you are planning on doing short journeys or the DPF will be toast. I used to use mines for motorway travelling 40 miles everyday which was fine but more recently it's just short journeys now & that's when the problems started. I also think it's because the car is getting older along with the filter, it's a 2013 with 89,000 on the clock.  

 

The car is also meant to run worse if you have the EA189 update installed but I have never had this. Heres a thread I replied to on the issues I've had during ownership and 2 repairs have been major and costly 

 

 

Edited 22 November, 20205 yr by Dogtanian1234

1 hour ago, Dogtanian1234 said:

Going by personal experience i'd say buy a Rapid with caution & dont get a diesel rapid if you are planning on doing short journeys or the DPF will be toast. I used to use mines for motorway travelling 40 miles everyday which was fine but more recently it's just short journeys now & that's when the problems started. I also think it's because the car is getting older along with the filter, it's a 2013 with 89,000 on the clock.  

 

The car is also meant to run worse if you have the EA189 update installed but I have never had this. Heres a thread I replied to on the issues I've had during ownership and 2 repairs have been major and costly 

 

 

Thanks for your reply, my usage is fairly mixed nowadays, but I always try and give it a good run out and always try and make sure it finishes regenerating. My 1.2 TDI CR has had no issues with this usage, is the 1.6 worse? 
 

Either way, I am liking the idea of a 1.2TSI more and more so I think I will most likely go for one of those, seems to be less to worry about. 
 

What has your experience been with the rest of the Rapid, aside from the engine?

 

Thanks

39 minutes ago, CS45 said:

Thanks for your reply, my usage is fairly mixed nowadays, but I always try and give it a good run out and always try and make sure it finishes regenerating. My 1.2 TDI CR has had no issues with this usage, is the 1.6 worse? 
 

Either way, I am liking the idea of a 1.2TSI more and more so I think I will most likely go for one of those, seems to be less to worry about. 
 

What has your experience been with the rest of the Rapid, aside from the engine?

 

Thanks

 

The build quality is good as everything is screwed together well and the swtich gear is high quality and wont break. It's a pretty solid built car all round. The parts fitted must be of a decent quality cause I havent had to replace things like sensors, drop links, etc ever & we are talking about a 7 year old car that's used daily. The paint work is robust too, its a hard paint and not easily scratched.

 

Equipment wise may be a bit dated now but I have a USB port, Air Con, Rear Parking Sensors & Bluetooth to connect my mobile so its enough for me and really what else do you need maybe sat nav?

 

The ride can be a bit jittery over uneven roads, not too noticeable but its definitely better sitting on the motorway that's for sure. The space cant be beaten for what you pay in its class, boot is massive and passengers will be very comfortable. The seats are firm but very comfortable for going long distances.

 

MPG is really good & I manage an average of 55MPG on short and motorway driving. Parts are common so cheap to source and tyre size very common so not expensive either. If you get the right one I would say go for it.

Edited 22 November, 20205 yr by Dogtanian1234