About 6 months ago I recall a discussion with the Capitals Manager for one of our customers who was thinking about buying a small family runabout for his kids etc. I suggested he have a look at the Fabia and TBH blew the Skoda trumpet a bit - I'm sure we've all done it. The last time the subject was brought up in conversation he had taken my advice and with family in tow he'd ended up going down to the local dealer and a week later decided to buy a year old Fabia something or another (poverty spec model I think).

Anyway, went for lunch yesterday and I broached the subject of the Fabia and asked how great it was. Only to be told that due to a catalogue of faults it is by far the "worst vehicle he has ever owned and deeply regrets buying one" - Oh dear. Apparently the car has been back to the dealer on a number of occassions to fix erratic dashboard illumination, ignition system faults and extensive water leaks into the cabin. The water leaks have soaked the passenger seat and rear bench and have made the car stink. I tried to blame the smells on his kids but I don't think that went down too well.

So thankyou Skoda. You've made me feel a right pratt and also meant I had to endure a whole afternoon being the butt of all the old Skoda jokes.........again (and it was my birthday - bah)

2 points Jimmy.

1) The owner is clearly a muppet for not rejecting the car.

2) The Fabia is assembled on the normal production line. Whereas cars like the vRS and L&K models are assembled by Skoda's specialist vehicles division (so i understand).

From reading here there was a production period from which a load of "duff" Fabias came. I think it was either late 2002 or early 2003. Before and after this period Fabia quality seems to be fine. From the sounds of it this Fabia is question has come from the "duff" period.

1) The owner is clearly a muppet for not rejecting the car.

Geoff, I car can't remember an occassion when a car can be rejected after faults have occurred over a 6 month period.... If you know otherwise let us know.

So is this normal Skoda production line quality? I would like to think not. A **** car - obviously.

Surely he has / had a case to reject it if these problems have occurred from new??

I agree, 6 months down the line is too late, or have all these issues arisen recently?

How about pointing him towards "Mr Justice" in the Sunday Sun? Assuming he's local. They seem to get some good results with cases like this.

I feel the same.

Referred someone to somewhere and they got bad treatment.

....with family in tow he'd ended up going down to the local dealer and a week later decided to buy a year old [/b'] Fabia something or another

This could be the reason he couldn't "reject" it in the normal way?? However, if the supplying Dealer to said "Muppet" was the original POS Dealer, "Muppet" should have:-

A/. asked to speak to the previous owner and get their comments on the car and

B/. asked the dealer to supply the service / warranty history before committing his hard-earned....

Either-way, these should be all fixed under warranty - sounds like "Animal" he isn't - more of a "Beaker" really....

Surely he has / had a case to reject it if these problems have occurred from new??

I agree' date=' 6 months down the line is too late, or have all these issues arisen recently?

How about pointing him towards "Mr Justice" in the Sunday Sun? Assuming he's local. They seem to get some good results with cases like this.[/quote']

I didn't ask too many questions but AFAIK the 'faults' occurred over a period of time so rejecting the car would be impossible. The front door seal was replaced but some time later after a torrential downpour this was still found to be faulty.

Unfortunately, he's not from these parts aswell.

New or Used is irrelevant, the car shouldn't have problems like this. If they occurred within a resonable time from purchase he had a case to reject the car.

I didn't ask too many questions but AFAIK the 'faults' occurred over a period of time so rejecting the car would be impossible. The front door seal was replaced but some time later after a torrential downpour this was still found to be faulty.

Unfortunately' date=' he's not from these parts aswell.[/quote']

Tell him to buy a copy of AutoExpress then, they have a complaints section in the mag, and also seem to get results.

Until recently, i might have suggested he contacts Customer Services, but as they seem intent on getting rid of any employees who actually give a damn he might not get too far...

Could be worth a stab though, there might just be another decent CS rep there

Yep there was a bad batch of Fabia's that went around most of them 2002 cars. However this is all sorted now.

the W and X and Y reg one are the best build quality wise and come with a slightly better spec

According to my dealer my 51 model got built in the week that the spec was changed. Lucky cause otherwise the rear electric windows wouldn't have been installed!