Hi Peeps

Anyone got any tips on what to look for when buying a Fabia VRS, is there a cambelt on the TDi? any major issues to look for, never had diesel so how should i check the turbo and what do i look listen for. any help appreciated.

Cheers MikeyP

If there is a link sorry for asking.

Leaky doors (rear)

ALL have it, use it as a bargaining point, the bottom of the door cards will be wet!!

Clutch issues - hard life? does it slip?

Front Anti-roll bar link bushes - does it bang and knock over bumps or when changing direction?

Timing belt should be changed along with tensioners and waterpump i believe every 4 years or 60k miles, as some vrs's are now 4 years and older they should have had a new timing kit, i.e 53 reg and 04 reg are due, no matter what mileage

Hi Peeps

Anyone got any tips on what to look for when buying a Fabia VRS, is there a cambelt on the TDi? any major issues to look for, never had diesel so how should i check the turbo and what do i look listen for. any help appreciated.

Cheers MikeyP

If there is a link sorry for asking.

Leaky rear doors ia a big one...

Yes there is a cambelt on the TDi and as it's a PD engine it should be done at 60k or 4 years especially as it drives the injectors too. Had mine from new and just had the cambelt changed.

The water pump is driven by the cambelt and some people say get them changed when they do the belt, but I didn't, there was no sign of leakage and the bearings were fine.

Just listen out for any unusual noises from the back of the engine, (not whistling as this is just the turbo spooling up, also it will whistle on its own if it's left idling for a while so ignore that too), when you test drive, just make sure there is no, (or minimal) turbo lag too.

I know, as the turbo blew up on mine last week. :(

Very good car though.

Have you test driven one yet?

Ben

I beg to differ on ALL of them having leaky doors. Mine doesn't and I check regularly.

HTH

mine never leaked either......

what i would say ALL have, is self destrulcting console arm bushes.......

listen for creaking over speed bumps, and look for uneven tyre wear....

Cheers Peeps all great advice, i am checking one out tomorrow, I am going from a 04 civic type R to a diesel so I am abit worried, but not gonna miss running costs LOL. so creaks and bangs over bumps and a 54 will probably need new cambelt soonish, so haggle if not done, turbo lag, what sort of revs does the turbo kick in, what should I expect? soooo many questions, thanks for info so far.

Spotted this Last night.

Skoda Fabia VRS PD TDi, Black, 55 Reg, Only 17k. on eBay, also, Skoda, Cars, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 24-Mar-08 10:06:50 GMT)

Looks like it's been lowered too.

Hi,

Never had any leaks from my rear doors (or anywhere else).

Cambelt etc - what they said.

Usual things to look out for with any performance car - check carefully for evidence of them having been thrashed, crashed or trashed. Check panel gaps, look for overspray etc.

Make sure the interior is nice and clean - the light grey bit can get grubby if not looked after.

Other than that, nothing I know of. There are a few around, so you should be able to find a good one without too much problem - if you are wanting specifically 54 age, bear in mind that the warranty (if not extended) will be up on that so that could also be a bargaining point.

The For Sale section of this site usually has a few available.

Regards,

Stu

Never had any faults on mine, except when the horn jammed on once.

Turned out there was a pinched wire in the steering wheel.

Oh, and no leaks! (55 reg.Blt engine)