Looking for a Fabia TSI , max 2 years old. Undecided between a manual or an auto. It's for my wife, who's never driven an auto. A DSG box suits my Q5 but does it suit a small car like the Fabia? One reason to go auto is that Skoda only guarantee clutches for 6 months (which is shocking in my view) Recommendations?

I have had a 23 Fabia DSG from new and absolutely LOVE the gearbox.

Most things about this car I find to be excellent. I have a couple of minor niggles but they are my personal foibles around the infotainment system.

I chose the auto because of the arthritis in my knees and have found it to be the best box I have driven.

This is the 3 cylinder 999cc model and I generally get in the low 40's around town and up to 58 on a good run.

Hope this helps.

I'm new to DSG box should I leave it in D with foot on footbrake or will I damage clutch doing this ?

Yes at lights etc leave it in drive foot on brake

I have had my Fabia Colour Auto 2023 plate for 4 months and absolutely love it. The gearbox is mega smooth and I drive Jaguar Hearses and Limos for work and its just as good as them. Very smooth gear changes and very responsive. Its a small engine but boy does it shift when it needs too. Its just effortless to drive, highly recommended

Edited 1 November, 20251 Nov by Davytee68

Discussed (in some detail) in this 2023/2024 BRISKODA forum thread

https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/515617-driving-a-dsg-auto/

The "Automatic Gearbox" section in every Fabia MK 4's Owner's Manual (print and online versions) includes the following guidance

Obviously holding the car stationary with the footbrake depressed will result in the rear brake lights being illuminated and, at night, may irritate a driver stopped behind you.

The UK Highway Code's Rule 114 advises

In stationary queues of traffic, drivers should apply the parking brake and, once the following traffic has stopped, take their foot off the footbrake to deactivate the vehicle brake lights. This will minimise glare to road users behind until the traffic moves again.

This is fine when the vehicle has a manual transmission and shifting to Neutral and applying the handbrake is what I do when I'm driving a car that has a manual gearbox. But, when I'm driving my Fabia Mk 4 DSG, I leave it in D unless I know I'm going to be stationary for quite some time.

Thanks for all your well explained help it's put my mind at rest now knowing I'm not doing any damage to clutches .

This 15-minutes video may be of general interest

Not relevant with vehicles without e-brakes and Autohold, but there are drivers with these that have no idea if they might have one that has the Brake Lights on with 'Autohold' holding the car.

There were older VW Group vehicles that did not all have the brake lights on with autohold working.

I've had Skoda and VW cars with DSG and Fords with dual clutch auto boxes for the last 20 years without any problems whatsoever. IMO gear changing is a much overarted pastime especially in heavy traffic. I'ts interesting to see that some manufacturers do not even make manual cars anymore and that the number of people buying automatic cars has increased considerably.

Couldn't go back to manual bert as you say especially in heavy traffic ,nightmare!! I'm new to skoda I love my fabia it's the best small car I've had and I've a had a lot !! As we always been 2 car family looking forward to spring to Polish it 😄 I enjoy driving it .