Hi all,

I am planning to buy a second hand Fabia as my 19 year old Golf is finally on its last legs. Turned up your forum by Googling, so I thought I'd ask if there's anything particular I should be looking out for.

My budget is up to

I have a 1.2 12v Fabia, great little engine, keep away from the 1.2 8v.

The 1.4 16v comfort was the 'what car' COTY winner for two years when the Fabia was launched, so I'd say that's probably the one to go for. I'd avoid diesels at the price your looking at. They tend to be dearer than the petrols, so one at £3K will be a dog!

Check the back doors haven't been leaking or you'll have mushrooms under the carpet!!

Fabia doesnt really have that many faults the main ones are probrably aircon sensor and the powersteering sensor but i beleive that was fixed on 02 onwards... everything is solid on my dads tdi he picked up for 3k in cash was on the forcourt for

keep away from the 1.2 8v.

6v!!!

Depending on what you're looking for from the car, the 1.4 TDI (75bhp) offers decent performance plus excellent economy. Available in Comfort spec so you should be able to get air con, CD player, etc and doesn't suffer from the nose-heavy handling of the 1.9 engine

Chris

I knew I was wrong when I typed it out.

6v!!!

Depending on what you're looking for from the car' date=' the 1.4 TDI (75bhp) offers decent performance plus excellent economy. Available in Comfort spec so you should be able to get air con, CD player, etc and doesn't suffer from the nose-heavy handling of the 1.9 engine

Chris

[/size']

not likely to get one of those for 3 grand tho.

Lots of 1.9 SDI's at that price TDI's will have high miles and probably be classics.

to answer original question wheels bearing are bad for going at low miles and anti roll bar bushes and drop links.

Strut top mounts too,

if car has rear discs then make sure the calkiper are free and not seized

6v!!!

Depending on what you're looking for from the car' date=' the 1.4 TDI (75bhp) offers decent performance plus excellent economy. Available in Comfort spec so you should be able to get air con, CD player, etc and doesn't suffer from the nose-heavy handling of the 1.9 engine

Chris

[/size']

no way will you pick up a 1.4tdi for 3k or less esp in comfort!

Thanks for all the tips!

to answer original question wheels bearing are bad for going at low miles and anti roll bar bushes and drop links.

Strut top mounts too

Are these replaceable? If so, how much do they cost? I'm planning to go looking this weekend, and it's best to be forearmed!

I don't really need a luxury vehicle (the Golf is anything but at 19 years old), just something solid and reasonably cheap - the 1.4 Classic sounds fine.

Edit: While I remember - are all the engines made by Skoda, or are there some they buy in from other manufacturers?