Hi all,

Hoping for some feedback to help guide/reassure us!

My and my partner have recently been to look at a 2010 plate automatic, Fabia 1.6 16V 1 Tiptronic 5dr. It has 110k miles on the clock and one past lady owner and full service history until 2019.

To give a bit of background, we currently have a 3dr 2012 Ford Fiesta and a 2017 A class Mercedes. We've got a young 6 month old whipper snapper and are getting rid of the Fiesta for something with more doors and a  slightly bigger boot. My partner only passed her test a couple of weeks ago and is just looking for something reasonably narrow, nippy, reliable with decent-ish MPG. She covers about 200 miles a week with 150 of these being motorway.

Would you consider this to be reliable and have decent MPG? I've had a gander on honest john but know it varies. Another key point of ours is safety. I notice this has 4/5 star rating and just wondered other peoples experiences, as well as with crosswinds on the motorway.

The car is up for £2,200 and the only worries for us is not having a service for 2 years (but just been given 12 months MOT), the drivers window not working and associated costs if something does need replacing.

We've taken it for a very quick test drive (the engine seemed noisy/flappy but fine) and I forgot to look for a few things. Does the MK2 (guessing this is a MK2 from research) come with an aux cable port? Aware it doesn't come with bluetooth, but we'd be happy with a phone mount and audio! Maybe would explore the possibility of having a new screen fitted in the future.

Thanks in anticipation!



 

Just another additional question. Presuming the answer is yes, does the Mk2 come with hill hold function to stop rolling back? 

Okay, I don't have a Mk2, but I have a Mk1 and I can have a stab at answering your questions...
 

2 hours ago, htafc23 said:

Fabia 1.6 16V 1 Tiptronic 5dr.

 

The "1" is the base specification model. "2" being midrange and "3" being the highest of the pre-FL Mk2 Fabias.

 

2 hours ago, htafc23 said:

We've got a young 6 month old whipper snapper and are getting rid of the Fiesta for something with more doors and a slightly bigger boot.

 

Aye that'd be a reasonable car for yourself, partner, and child. Mine can hold 4 adults and their paraphernalia easily.

 

2 hours ago, htafc23 said:

just looking for something reasonably narrow, nippy, reliable with decent-ish MPG. She covers about 200 miles a week with 150 of these being motorway.

 

I can't vouch for these engines but I reckon it'll be nippier than my 64hp 1.2. MPG should be reasonable IMO.

 

2 hours ago, htafc23 said:

I notice this has 4/5 star rating and just wondered other peoples experiences, as well as with crosswinds on the motorway.

 

Solid little things. Haven't had much issues with crosswinds in mine to be honest, and as yours would have a heavier engine etc.

 

2 hours ago, htafc23 said:

The car is up for £2,200 and the only worries for us is not having a service for 2 years (but just been given 12 months MOT), the drivers window not working and associated costs if something does need replacing.

 

That's a bit expensive IMHO given the lack of recent service (MOT doesn't equal a service), mileage, and the driver's window problem. I'd look elsewhere in that regard.

 

2 hours ago, htafc23 said:

We've taken it for a very quick test drive (the engine seemed noisy/flappy but fine) and I forgot to look for a few things. Does the MK2 (guessing this is a MK2 from research) come with an aux cable port? Aware it doesn't come with bluetooth, but we'd be happy with a phone mount and audio! Maybe would explore the possibility of having a new screen fitted in the future.

 

Auxiliary cable area should be down by handbrake IIRC. I don't know what this engine is meant to sound like, an owner may be able to provide more insight.

 

13 minutes ago, htafc23 said:

does the Mk2 come with hill hold function to stop rolling back? 

 

I highly doubt it, especially if it's a Fabia "1". You'd probably need a Mk3 Fabia with the correct options for that. 

 

Hope that helps a wee bit.

26 minutes ago, htafc23 said:

Just another additional question. Presuming the answer is yes, does the Mk2 come with hill hold function to stop rolling back? 

Unlikely. But probably also not needed. The tiptronic is a standard torque converter automatic so provides continuous drive while D is engaged so won't really roll back much unless on a very steep hill.

 

The MPG will be OK... but I wouldn't be expecting anything much over 40mpg. It's an OK engines (efficiency wise) paired to an OK gearbox (that's less efficient than a manual or DSG).

 

But it's a good gearbox. May need an oil and filter change at some point.

 

The only thing that concerns me is you describing the engine as being noisy/flappy. This could potentially be timing chain related. Did you manage to start it from cold?

what about something like this.......

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/194471978109?hash=item2d476ee47d:g:G8kAAOSwDb9hJcxb

 

or has it got to be auto ?

2 minutes ago, UrbanPanzer said:

what about something like this.......

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/194471978109?hash=item2d476ee47d:g:G8kAAOSwDb9hJcxb

 

or has it got to be auto ?

 

That'd be a good choice for him if he doesn't need an auto for him and his partner, in my opinion, cannot make assumptions. It has electric windows all round which can be locked for when the wee yin gets older and learns how to work the magic thingy on the door card.

Edited 17 November, 20214 yr by AnnoyingPentium

I agree, I would like it and I don't even need another car, I think the scout looks really smart and with the 1.4TDi should be good for many years.

Just now, UrbanPanzer said:

I would like it and I don't even need another car

 

I second that. Would probably have done the same, even seen a Mk1 that has tempted me as a second car, but alas, I don't have the money, space, or willing mother to do such a thing...

 

Anyways, back on topic...

 

1 minute ago, UrbanPanzer said:

I think the scout looks really smart and with the 1.4TDi should be good for many years.

 

Those TDI engines will probably outlive all of us...

2 hours ago, AnnoyingPentium said:

Okay, I don't have a Mk2, but I have a Mk1 and I can have a stab at answering your questions...
 

 

The "1" is the base specification model. "2" being midrange and "3" being the highest of the pre-FL Mk2 Fabias.

 

 

Aye that'd be a reasonable car for yourself, partner, and child. Mine can hold 4 adults and their paraphernalia easily.

 

 

I can't vouch for these engines but I reckon it'll be nippier than my 64hp 1.2. MPG should be reasonable IMO.

 

 

Solid little things. Haven't had much issues with crosswinds in mine to be honest, and as yours would have a heavier engine etc.

 

 

That's a bit expensive IMHO given the lack of recent service (MOT doesn't equal a service), mileage, and the driver's window problem. I'd look elsewhere in that regard.

 

 

Auxiliary cable area should be down by handbrake IIRC. I don't know what this engine is meant to sound like, an owner may be able to provide more insight.

 

 

I highly doubt it, especially if it's a Fabia "1". You'd probably need a Mk3 Fabia with the correct options for that. 

 

Hope that helps a wee bit.

It helps more than a wee bit. Thankyou 😃

2 hours ago, Phil-E said:

Unlikely. But probably also not needed. The tiptronic is a standard torque converter automatic so provides continuous drive while D is engaged so won't really roll back much unless on a very steep hill.

 

The MPG will be OK... but I wouldn't be expecting anything much over 40mpg. It's an OK engines (efficiency wise) paired to an OK gearbox (that's less efficient than a manual or DSG).

 

But it's a good gearbox. May need an oil and filter change at some point.

 

The only thing that concerns me is you describing the engine as being noisy/flappy. This could potentially be timing chain related. Did you manage to start it from cold?

Ahh that's good to hear. Thankyou.

The MPG sounds more than enough for us. The fiesta was getting 30 on a good day (at least the A class gets us 60ish) to make up for it!

The engine started fine from cold, it might just be a case of my ears being over sensitive when car shopping 😃

3 minutes ago, htafc23 said:

The engine started fine from cold, it might just be a case of my ears being over sensitive when car shopping 😃

 

If you don't have a good feeling about something like that, then I'd say walk away from the car to be honest. It doesn't hurt to be picky, especially if you're needing a reliable car.

56 minutes ago, AnnoyingPentium said:

 

If you don't have a good feeling about something like that, then I'd say walk away from the car to be honest. It doesn't hurt to be picky, especially if you're needing a reliable car.

Yeah going to go have another look at it I think. Been looking at a few videos and it sounds like most of the engines sound a bit like a sewing machine!

Yeah they do have a slight ticking sound to them. I believe it's due to the high pressure fuel pump. It's driven from the camshaft.

Completley forgot to check the MOT history. This is from 10 days ago...

 

Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):

• Nearside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))
• Offside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))
• Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))
• Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))
• Nearside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))
• Offside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))
• Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))
• Offside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Going to give it a wide berth!

5 minutes ago, htafc23 said:

Completley forgot to check the MOT history. This is from 10 days ago...

 

Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):

• Nearside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))
• Offside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))
• Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))
• Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))
• Nearside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))
• Offside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))
• Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))
• Offside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Going to give it a wide berth!

 

Avoid it like the plague IMO, unless you fancy doing some work...

 

Does this car have to be automatic, as I could no doubt find you a better spec one with my AutoTrader saved searches.

Edited 18 November, 20214 yr by AnnoyingPentium

13 hours ago, AnnoyingPentium said:

 

Avoid it like the plague IMO, unless you fancy doing some work...

 

Does this car have to be automatic, as I could no doubt find you a better spec one with my AutoTrader saved searches.

Sadly so! Auto license only for the partner 

Just now, htafc23 said:

Sadly so! Auto license only for the partner 

 

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110088255307

Automatic with the same 1.6 16v engine, 62,000 miles on the clock, £2995. It's from 2008 and it's a "3" spec so it's your top of the line one of the time.