Is this a bargain went to same garage wife and son go to and asked service price on my 2001 y reg fabia was quoted

Depends what kind of engine is in the car. Something like an MPi would probably be fine being looked at by anyone, but a PD engine might be better left to a VAG specialist IMO. One thing I would say about using a non-specialist independent garage (trying to choose my words carefully here!) is that certain model-specific things - like replacing the glovebox bulb, in my experience - may well be beyond them! But for standard servicing stuff like oil and sparkplugs, you ought to be fine.

In fact, the only reason I say I wouldn't take a PD-engined car to a VAG specialist is that I couldn't be sure they used the right grade of oil - I guess it just depends on how much you trust the garage in question...

HTH

PS:

What engine and what mileage service are probably the main questions, to start with...

Steve

My back street garage who I would trust with my life used to charge about

Thanks it's a 1.4 MPI 65 000 on clock Y reg classic. I'm sure whatever he does is going to be no worse than rayrigg tho. At moment asking for oil service but will soom ask for insp service, may as well get both done together.

Can I also ask is it cam belt or timing chain in mine, have heard it def timing chain but not certain, just n case they say belt meed changing.

Chain

Thanks now the stupid part, what difference does it make, I relise it cheaper as in no changes etc but any other difference?

Thanks now the stupid part, what difference does it make, I relise it cheaper as in no changes etc but any other difference?

It's not that you never need to change the chain, it's just that it's far less likely to fail catastrophically like cambelts can. I gather the deciding factor is that they get noisier and noisier as they stretch, so you may end up wanting to get it done for the benefit of your ears / sanity, rather than for safety / pre-emptive maintenance reasons! There are a couple of useful threads here and here. They cover 1.3 Felicias, but the principle's the same!

In terms of "any other difference", the design of the MPi engine means it's not as high-performing as a similar-sized overhead cam engine; not because of it having a timing chain as such, but because the timing chain drives pushrods, which ultimately limit how fast the engine can rev (that and the 8 valves rather than 16!) Wikipedia's articles on pushrod engines and overhead cam engines give a bit of an idea of the differences from an engineering perspective - hope this helps!

Thanks for this will read it when i have more time. Now my amusing story, took car for service as arranged and went to pick it up 4 hours later, when asked he handed me an MOT and said thats

eventally serviced and well seemed to do everything possible even down to oiling/greasing door shut bars always thought they were plastic mind. No problems so far very pleased at moment.

to oiling/greasing door shut bars always thought they were plastic mind..

Ive got the service schedule sheets for my Fabia and its says 'Lubricate Door check straps (not Fabia) and bonnet lock' so I take it that would be 'cos they're plastic! This wasnt mentioned on the older sheets , the 'not Fabia' was omitted from them , thats probably why my garage still does mine every year!!

thanks for that but the garage like I say is backstreet sort not a dealer at all,in fact they don't sell any cars just service MOT etc.