Hi there Sons thinking of getting a newer car. He has at moment Fabia MK1 1.2 06 plate but wants something newer and a bit more power. Hes 19 so insurance for VRS etc may be too high. I have been trying to persuade him to get an Octavia as its bigger and probably safer but not sure which engine etc is most reliable these days. I have had the 1.9tdi pd in an octavia/fabia and a seat which have never given me any bother at all but I think the 1.9tdi was last used in 2010. At moment have the 1.6tdi octavia 12 plate and so far no problems. Are there any to avoid re problems with dpf etc. As I generally do my own work also looking for the easiest to work on. Not sure if he should go for diesel or petrol either. Any help and advice welcome.

Alasdair

Hi.

If your son needs any help with insurance at all for whatever vehicle he's looking at then please feel free to drop me a line.

Regards,

Dan.

1.9 PD the best IMHO. Only 105bhp.

No DPF or EGR complicated one anyway. DMF are weakness. Hatch in Elegance spec or L&K if you can find. Still made upto about 2010 I think

1.6 had injector issues not sure if affected Skodas.

9 hours ago, gav_is_con said:

1.9 PD the best IMHO. Only 105bhp.

No DPF or EGR complicated one anyway. DMF are weakness. Hatch in Elegance spec or L&K if you can find. Still made upto about 2010 I think

1.6 had injector issues not sure if affected Skodas.

I agree with the 1.9tdi. Have had three now and no real probs at all plus a bit easier to work on than the 1.6tdi. Might be a problem finding one with lowish mileage and good condition as I think your right with upto 2010. Have read a few reports re 1.6 injector issues but so far my 1.6tdi has been fine. DPF is another thing but as long as he takes car out for decent runs etc should be ok. Will look for elegance/LandK spec and see what I can find. Hes happy with the Fabia but wants something more modern/luxury etc. I reckon he should get something a bit larger as he is going to be travelling a bit with his work and I would prefer him driving something a bit heavier and safer. I had proper volvos for years but not sure what there like now. His fabia has been great. Its only done about 70k and so far a new battery,wheel bearing and I did the clutch as it totalled itself.

Thanks for the replies

Alasdair

Well if it's for travelling a lot for work then that answers the petrol versus diesel question at least.

If he's traveling for work, will he be driving anywhere with a ulez?

There are a few around now and it's one thing to keep in mind these days whether a diesel is worth it.

8 hours ago, softscoop said:

If he's traveling for work, will he be driving anywhere with a ulez?

There are a few around now and it's one thing to keep in mind these days whether a diesel is worth it.

Most diesels ten years or younger will be Ulez or Lez compliant.

54 minutes ago, JamieH86 said:

Most diesels ten years or younger will be Ulez or Lez compliant.

As this is in the MK2 Octavia sub forum and the OP is talking about PDs, the youngest PD will be 15 years at this point as they stopped them in 2010.

Even the youngest MK2 Octavia will be 12 years now as they stopped making them in 2013.

Edited 18 May, 20251 yr by softscoop

2 minutes ago, softscoop said:

As this is in the MK2 Octavia sub forum and the OP is talking about PDs, the youngest PD will be 15 years at this point as they stopped them in 2010.

Even the youngest MK2 Octavia will be 12 years now as they stopped making them in 2013.

That's true, but not necessarily relevant.

THe OP is not specifically looking for a 1.9 TDI and said his son wants something newer anyway, which means most diesels will be in play regardless of Ulez.

11 hours ago, softscoop said:

If he's traveling for work, will he be driving anywhere with a ulez?

There are a few around now and it's one thing to keep in mind these days whether a diesel is worth it.

So far no ulez in Inverness but there is in aberdeen. He works for coop and seems to be getting offers to travel to other stores as supervisor when they need extra staff or during refit. Hes got seven weeks nightshift coming up but its fairly local. Most he will be travelling is around 100 miles a day.

8 hours ago, Alasdair1 said:

So far no ulez in Inverness but there is in aberdeen. He works for coop and seems to be getting offers to travel to other stores as supervisor when they need extra staff or during refit. Hes got seven weeks nightshift coming up but its fairly local. Most he will be travelling is around 100 miles a day.

That's a lot, he'll want a diesel!

Thanks for the replies. Been looking at Fabias again. He had a go in my Octavia but reckons its too big for him. Thinking on either late Mk2 1.6MPI manual petrol or if I can find one in good condition the MK2 1.9tdi PD Had a look at MK3 but in my opinion engines seem to be getting uite small and either have turbos on petrol or dpf in diesel. Want to keep it as simple and easy as possible. He says that he gets paid for mileage etc so not so critical if its petrol or diesel.

Thanks again

Alasdair

If looking at the 1.6 petrol MK2 Fabia, just be aware of how much they are in road tax due to the high co2 output.