@mark_irl You are absolutely correct this is a very well known design fault with Fabia's, Polo's & Ibiza's of this generation & there is a TPI to rectify it.

VW should be issuing a recall instead of charging customers for a TPI.

I have exactly the same spec Fabia as you just the hatchback version & had exactly the same issue at very similar mileage all as described in your original post. This generation of engine was manufactured in VW's South African factory & basically they were putting the cam bolts in without loctite hence why over time they work themselves free & the first escaping bolt starts hitting the cam cover - if one removes itself completely it will very likely go into the cambelt causing damage I'd rather not even think about!

In my case the dealer was good immediately switching the car off, advising they may need it for up to 6 weeks dependent on damage & parts required.

What then happened was a TPI was oddly immediately available & fitted as quickly as possible & I was back driving it 10 days later.

After some discount the final invoice was approx £950 which I had no option but to pay as I needed the car back.

It did resolve it & thankfully no issues in the 6 months since.

However I felt very strongly this should be a recall so took it up with VW directly (which was another long story) I eventually agreed on approx 70% goodwill payment not the numerous offers of service packages that include very little in the T&C's.

This really, really should be a recall - I just hope this assists someone in the future.

I'm surprised that you discovered that VW in SA were building these engines, I thought that it was only 2 Skoda dedicated engine plants in CZ that had/are building these EA211 TSI engines.