Hello everyone!

I am new to the forum and am currently looking for a swift diesel to replace my Accord Type R.

I've been reading the various posts and the special edition Fabia vRS looks a strong contender for my wallet (plus maybe the Civic Type S), so my question is, how reliable is the car (truthfully)?

I have been spoilt by Honda reliability so know I might have to take a hit on a non-Jap car, but how good or bad is the Fabia generally?

Thanks for anyone who replies!

ATR

Hmm....well you're coming from one of the most reliable manufacturers in the world so it's gonna sting.

The Fabia is pretty reliable but simply suffers from silly VAG niggles. Water ingress is one of the main issues. Newer 06 models on suffer from EGR hesitation, the rear brakes can moo when reversing, the ARB drop links fail etc etc.

All small things but all mean a trip to the dealer for warranty claims.

If you're worried about reliability and can live without a diesel, get the Honda.

If you can live with the odd silly fault that can be fixed and need a brisk cherry popper then the Fabia vRS is a good choice.

Remember also, the Accord TypeR is a monster. The Fabia will feel slower overall, although a much less vocal and stressed performer with muscular mid range being its forte.

Reliable in terms of starting first turn of the key: excellent

Reliable in terms of durability of consumables like light bulbs, filters etc: every bit as good as a VW, which is good.

Reliable in terms of components which fail: well there are a number of items e.g. front ARB bushes and drop-links, and the brake light switch which have been uprated as the design has matured. Do a search in the Fabia forum for examples.

Hmm....well you're coming from one of the most reliable manufacturers in the world so it's gonna sting.

The Fabia is pretty reliable but simply suffers from silly VAG niggles. Water ingress is one of the main issues. Newer 06 models on suffer from EGR hesitation, the rear brakes can moo when reversing, the ARB drop links fail etc etc.

All small things but all mean a trip to the dealer for warranty claims.

If you're worried about reliability and can live without a diesel, get the Honda.

If you can live with the odd silly fault that can be fixed and need a brisk cherry popper then the Fabia vRS is a good choice.

Remember also, the Accord TypeR is a monster. The Fabia will feel slower overall, although a much less vocal and stressed performer with muscular mid range being its forte.

Ok, thanks.

I'm not too bothered about it being slower because I was thinking of doing the full mod stuff anyway: Milltek, green panel filter, Eibach springs, TT 312mm brakes, Custom Code remap.

But yes, I take your point that I am used to NOTHING going wrong with my car, so lots of niggles might be tiresome/tedious!

as others have said... honda prolly is one of the most reliable makes out there....

I have covered 72k in 21 months in mine, and here's the list of faults...

40k, new gearbox done under warranty. (very rare apparantly, and the gearbox didn't actually fail, as much as leapt of its mountings...)

60k, new EGR valve, done under warranty (was leaking oil...)

65k, new control arm bushes (NOT done under warranty, buggers claim natural wear and tear :( ) these bushes are a common fault, but if you are going to mod anyway, I'd replace them with the seat cupra bushes, which are stronger....

er..... thats it!

I'm quite happy with that (the gearbox was an anomoly, to the best of my knowledge, no one else on here has killed one, and had to have it replaced) I will prolly end up with the new ltd edition... talking to my dealer on Saturday....

65k, new control arm bushes (NOT done under warranty, buggers claim natural wear and tear :( ) these bushes are a common fault, but if you are going to mod anyway, I'd replace them with the seat cupra bushes, which are stronger....

65k seems about right though

In 24,000 miles:

Gearbox rebuilt (bad from brand new)

Water leaks

Central locking failure

Failure of ABS (never worked from new)

Numerous creaks and rattles

Seats are impossible to keep clean and dashboard marks very easily because the plastic is very cheap and nasty.

Standard stereo has awful radio reception and audio quality (but CD a lot better).

Fabia vRS is a great car, and cheap to run. But, and it's a big but, some of them are dogs, and I doubt any of them come close to Honda build standards.

Mate of mine has a Civic TypeR and despite endless thrashing it has never gone wrong. Brilliant things Hondas. The only thing that killed my CRX was rust. All the mechanicals were still fine.

I actually looked at getting an Accord TypeR at one point but the mpg and insurance groupings put me off.

ive had the leaking doors and the sticking heater switch (which should have been checked before i picked it up as there a stupid comman flault) anyway the water leak did P!ss me off due to going back endless times but u press the loud pedal and you get a bit fat:D

Then when you get bored of that/get used to it. Bang a milltek system and green filter and the comes back.

So far in 20 months of ownership (and 24,000 miles) a slight problem with a rear brake pad, fixed under warranty.

And that's it! (unless you count the £500 worth of damage when i stupidly drove it into a wall!).

Seriously though, i'm chuffed to bits with it so far.

Mine is a 55 plate with 41k on the clock, had it from new.

0k - Creaky doors - Still an issue

4k - Creaking clutch pedal - Warranty 2 hrs

16k - Front offside wheel bearing went - Warranty 2days

25k - Flywheel went, took the clutch with it - Warranty 1 week

35k - Rear brakeline cracked - Did this myself because the dealer would take too long

37k - Rear window delaminating - Waiting for it to get bad enough to get it replaced under warranty

39k - Turbo went - Warranty - 4 days

40k - Headlamp washers - Fitter didn't attach pipe after above repair, not the cars fault but still part of my experiance - 1 hr

It has always pulled to the left and the interior is the most rattly interior I have ever had in 12 years of car ownership.

Apart from that it has been a paragon of reliability I love the car to bits, but reliable? Nah. Stick to the Honda, I am not going to sit here and defend the brand especially when the brand has the attitude that comes across from SUK

Mine is a 55 plate with 41k on the clock, had it from new.

0k - Creaky doors - Still an issue

4k - Creaking clutch pedal - Warranty 2 hrs

16k - Front offside wheel bearing went - Warranty 2days

25k - Flywheel went, took the clutch with it - Warranty 1 week

35k - Rear brakeline cracked - Did this myself because the dealer would take too long

37k - Rear window delaminating - Waiting for it to get bad enough to get it replaced under warranty

39k - Turbo went - Warranty - 4 days

40k - Headlamp washers - Fitter didn't attach pipe after above repair, not the cars fault but still part of my experiance - 1 hr

It has always pulled to the left and the interior is the most rattly interior I have ever had in 12 years of car ownership.

Apart from that it has been a paragon of reliability I love the car to bits, but reliable? Nah. Stick to the Honda, I am not going to sit here and defend the brand especially when the brand has the attitude that comes across from SUK

wow... that's bad luck, and poor reliability from anyone's point of view!

it seems some cars are good and some are bad... (never had to say a word to my dealer until I'd passed the max mileage on your list!)

But I agree with you about SUK's attitude ..... it really sucks if you have real problem....

then again, I'll prolly have another... still love the car

I'd be tempted to go for the diesel type-s over the current Fabia... mainly because it's a much more update car and you've got that Honda reliability

In the year I've had my vRS it's been back to the dealers once for the boot catch to be re-aligned. I think it's a great little car but next to the new civic it is starting to show it's age.

It's still a great Q car though!

I must have been lucky because my 2 Fabias have had no issues at all, not even rubbish or noisy brakes, and no rattles.

Before placing an order for the fabia we looked seriously at the Civic's.

They are wicked cars, the interior is amazing. Lots of really cool features. Engine is fantastic too, but then the PD130 is as well.

For us it came down to costs. '06 plate 5 door civic was still £15k. Dealers wouldnt budge. Fabia was 13k brand new.

If you have the extra money I'd go for the civic, the interior is less bland, the styling is great and Honda engines are renowned for thier quality.

No problems here, 26k on an a late 04 plate. So far I feel lucky.

check out this thread http://www.briskoda.net/forums/maintenance-performance/skoda-running-costs/52701/

Cars never broken down but you will get a couple of niggles. Also to note the suspension bushes dont tend to last long. Some dealers will replace them under warranty. Some dont and class it as wear and tear.

No problems with mine; only had it for 3500 miles though.

So far with my 04 vRS (only had it since Jan) the following has needed sorting:

New heater flap under warranty as it was blowing red hot air or nothing at all

Leaking rear doors - they sealed all 4 under warranty

Howling rear brakes when reversing - dealer fitted an anti-resonance weight kit to rear calipers under warranty.

Failed anti roll bar drop links and track rod ends - replaced under warranty.

Bit of rust found on the tailgate - being fixed under warranty on Monday.

A fair bit considering I've only had the car 1.5 months, but then I am a perfectionist and I want the car right. Every little niggle has gone to the dealer to be fixed.

Mine is a 55 plate with 41k on the clock, had it from new.

0k - Creaky doors - Still an issue

4k - Creaking clutch pedal - Warranty 2 hrs

16k - Front offside wheel bearing went - Warranty 2days

25k - Flywheel went, took the clutch with it - Warranty 1 week

35k - Rear brakeline cracked - Did this myself because the dealer would take too long

37k - Rear window delaminating - Waiting for it to get bad enough to get it replaced under warranty

39k - Turbo went - Warranty - 4 days

40k - Headlamp washers - Fitter didn't attach pipe after above repair, not the cars fault but still part of my experiance - 1 hr

It has always pulled to the left and the interior is the most rattly interior I have ever had in 12 years of car ownership.

Apart from that it has been a paragon of reliability I love the car to bits, but reliable? Nah. Stick to the Honda, I am not going to sit here and defend the brand especially when the brand has the attitude that comes across from SUK

I also forgot;

22k - Paint peeled from bumper seam - Warranty 2 days

I don't regret buying my VRS at all - 6 months old today and 10,000 miles with no problems (other than the usual: stutter, wrinkly rear seats, rattling gearstick in neutral, uninterested dealer etc) but if I'd had another

Just bought a vRS!

Red, 7800 miles on an 05 plate for 7500 including trade-in for my 100,000 mile Accord!

Bargain.

2nd gear when the turbo kicks in is just plain loopy in my book - and it's a pretty big book I can tell you (ask the wife)...

Sounds like a storming deal for a 7.8k mile car. Enjoy

Just bought a vRS!

Red, 7800 miles on an 05 plate for 7500 including trade-in for my 100,000 mile Accord!

Bargain.

2nd gear when the turbo kicks in is just plain loopy in my book - and it's a pretty big book I can tell you (ask the wife)...

Glad you like it! A bargain, write a full review when you get a chance.

54 plate 32k still going strong

2 front tyres :eek: (how dare they wear out)

All 4 wheels replaced due to paint bubbling (done at service time) warranty

N/S/F consol bush, I hadn't noticed any problems but again in for a service and they spotted it and replaced it - warranty

The Aberdeen dealer has been great with me thats why I am getting a SE

Perfect car and 100% reliable. Best car I have ever owned and I have oned 2 Honda's good cars but not the alround great fun package of the VRS