Hi there,

My cousin down in Manchester has decided she wants a new runaround.

Found her a Classic 1.4 2002 about 30 miles from her door, ad as follows

Manual, 48,000 miles, 02 Reg. Blue. FSH with receipts, Body coloured bumpers, Drivers airbag, Folding rear seats, Immobiliser. Forget the badge, this is a sensible, cheap, reliable car, ideal for first time car owner or second runaround. Very good condition. Photos' to follow.

8v mpi i think.... if it's got a full service history i cant imagine there should be anything much wrong with it

8v mpi i think.... if it's got a full service history i cant imagine there should be anything much wrong with it

Thanks for that! 8v rightness it is:D

as for the rest of the car, was there not summat about the door seals on fabia's?

any wear issues with brakes/gearbox?

thanks

Check for coolant loss, and "Mayonaise" under the oil cap as the head gaskets go on these engines. If it rattles excessivley it may need it's timing chain looking at too

Check for coolant loss, and "Mayonaise" under the radiator cap as the head gaskets go on these engines. If it rattles excessivley it may need it's timing chain looking at too

Thanks!

so its chain driven too, ideal!

is this MPi the same lump as found in polo's?

Thanks!

so its chain driven too, ideal!

is this MPi the same lump as found in polo's?

No It's Skodas old 1.3, and the chain is difficult to change as it is very short and it also has no tentioner,

I actually had a dealer refuse to change it so make sure it's good now

Edit:

Also Check Rear arb for wear

No It's Skodas old 1.3, and the chain is difficult to change as it is very short and it also has no tentioner,

I actually had a dealer refuse to change it so make sure it's good now

Edit:

Also Check Rear arb for wear

Explaining ARB wear to my cousin could be fun, but I'll try!

So its basically a bigger version of the 1.3 as found in the favorit/Felicia?

does it have manual tappets?

So its basically a bigger version of the 1.3 as found in the favorit/Felicia?

does it have manual tappets?

yes it's a long stroke version of the 1.3 engine, it has mechanical tappets operated by rockers

yes it's a long stroke version of the 1.3 engine, it has mechanical tappets operated by rockers

so still needs the occasional setting via the old spanner/screwdriver manner a la 1.3 felicia?

fun! means a beer fuelled trip for me:D

so still needs the occasional setting via the old spanner/screwdriver manner a la 1.3 felicia?

fun! means a beer fuelled trip for me:D

I was told they are maintenance free, but at 40000 miles my Fabia sounded like an old Ford Fiesta

I was told they are maintenance free, but at 40000 miles my Fabia sounded like an old Ford Fiesta

We'll see:thumbup: no great issue if they are!

the power steering is a known problem - dodgy sensor can be done on warranty, the head gasket as said above, anti roll bar bushes, rear door seals, brake light sensor can go too which sometimes produces the engine management light

all of the above is stuff i have had gone wrong with my 51 plate 1.4 8v 41k miles Fabia but thanks to buying it second hand from a stealer it was covered by the second hand warranty. There are a few other problems that i cant remember wat they are but as they havent "touch wood" happened to my car yet i dont no about.

Well folk..

Thanks for all the info, My cousin is now the proud owner of a 1.4 classic:D

With all your info I knocked up a guide to what to check with pics etc, she worked through it and ticked the boxes, had it out for a good long drive and loved it!

Even got

well done!! were there any faults with it at all??

well done!! were there any faults with it at all??

Not as far as she reported...

However, my "inspection" was conducted 200 miles away, via phone...

Hopefully I'll see it soon and can report back.

However a good indicator is that she was prepared to part with her hard earned-summat she doesnt do lightly:D