I am looking for a cheap reliable car (3 years low cost motoring) for my missues and have seen one of these on a 51 plate with 70K, looks in good condition at an ok garage (not a main dealer). What should I be looking for on the test drive and is the 1.2 a better way to go?? She is really after a fiesta but I am trying to convince her a fabia is really that polo (we had an 03 plate) in disguise!! Do these rust as I've noticed quite a few 51 plate fiestas going under the rear wheel arch.

Personally id go for the 1.2 over the SDi

And i would go for the SDI over the 1.2. had one for 3 years and 60,000 never missed a beat but i was a motorway plodder and if it is around town your loved one is travelling then you should go for the 1.2. Low service costs and cheaper per litre as opposed to good MPG. Whichever you choose for the loved one go for a test drive first.

I have a 51 plate TDI 1.9 estate and I love it.

Economy with power too.

The body work on Skodas has a 10 year cover.

So if you can find a TDI get one,even if it's the smaller engine size.

A 1.4TDI or a 1.2 12v would be my choice. For budget motoring the 1.2 is pretty hard to beat.

Iwould go for the SDi. I have an estate on a y plate with 75,000 on the clock and it runs as sweet as a nut.

I agree with Red 5 - I have a similar age & mileage sdi.

63mpg - can't complain at that:D

Cheers