I'm on my second Fabia (2002 1.4 16v Comfort) and it's given me nothing but problems. I'm tempted to upgrade to the vRS, but I'd like to see this one fixed first.

The problem is two-fold:

1) At random intervals the EPC and engine warning lights come on.

2) Sometimes when I feather the throttle the engine appears to completely die for a second, the revs drop from 3500 to as little as 500 and then jump back up. It's a little disconerting when you're doing 70 on a motorway!

It's been back and forth to the dealer so often I've added at least 500 miles to the car.

So far it's had so many bits and pieces replaced that most of the electronics are not original.

The dealer told me this morning that (another) new flash program for the ECU has just arrived and hopes to be able to fix it on Monday, but I doubt it.

If anyone has had similar problems and knows how to fix them I'd appreciate it.

Thanks.

Your second problem sounds very similar to a problem on my wife's last (new shape) Polo. More than once she had the engine die at speed on the motorway only for it to pick up again. I know it sounds unlikely but it was something to do with a faulty brake light switch and is a known problem with Polos. It's a long shot but try ringing your nearest VW dealer and asking them. If you have no joy drop me a line and I'll ask mine.

Thanks for that, the dealer has replaced that part twice along with a several other items including:

ECU

ABS control unit and pump

Dash Panel Insert

The dealer did tell me that the manufacturer of the brake switches was changed to help cure the problem and they had ordered 50 as the fault was common.

I'm just glad the car has a long warranty!

Thanks once more.

Incidents like this are deffo not a good advertisement!!!