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Original poster

Skoda Fabia - yay or nay?

51 replies

GummyBear81 · 29/10/2019 22:40

I've just passed my driving test! Wine

I'm looking for a practical, safe, cheap to run and insure car that will have room for my son's crap in the boot. I've seen a Skoda Fabia 1.0 2016 around the corner from me for sale. It looks like it fits the bill but I've (obviously) never driven one.

Does anyone have any Fabia experiences to share? This is for the hatchback not estate which I can neither afford to buy nor run.

OP posts:
Original poster
GummyBear81 · 29/10/2019 23:16

Anyone? I'm looking at the basic model, S MPi60

OP posts:
SittHakim · 29/10/2019 23:19

We loved ours. Had to replace it when we moved as it didn’t fit on the new house’s drive (we had the estate), but if we moved again I’d happily have another. It was cheap to buy and run and nothing went wrong with it. We have a Honda Jazz now, but I’m eyeing the Skoda Citigo as a successor when the Honda packs up.

Original poster
GummyBear81 · 29/10/2019 23:20

I'd LOVE a Honda Jazz but they are expensive:(

OP posts:

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Cars & vehicles Driving & parking
SarahBeeney · 29/10/2019 23:24

I could’ve believe how small it was inside,we’re a family of 4 and I thought it was a bit pokey in the back. We went for a ŠKODA Yeti in the end.

BananaBooBoo · 29/10/2019 23:24

I have a Fabia for the last years. Never given me a days trouble, so reliable and easy to drive.

SarahBeeney · 29/10/2019 23:25

And congrats on passing your test!

BananaBooBoo · 29/10/2019 23:25

6 years!!

ThatLibraryMiss · 29/10/2019 23:25

I've had a late-2007 1.4l diesel from new and would seriously consider getting another when/if it ever dies. (Not diesel though: it was bought when diesel was supposed to be the green option.) It sails through its MOT every time. Bodywork is still excellent. Two of the rear parking sensors have had to be replaced but apart from that it's been brake pads, filters etc - just the stuff you'd expect. Parts are cheap. It's sturdy and reliable. Skoda is no longer the eastern European joke but is part of the same group as VW and Audi and the Fabia benefits from the collaboration.

ThatLibraryMiss · 29/10/2019 23:29

SittHakim, DD had a VW Up!, which is the VW version of the Citigo, and I found it very underpowered. It was great for around town but on open roads I didn't feel it had enough acceleration to overtake quickly and safely. It would be fine if you had a second car for longer journeys.

BackforGood · 29/10/2019 23:43

Well that is a LOT newer than ours, but I'm very happy with our Fabia. Never had any trouble with it. Drives well. Boot is a decent size for a small car. We've had 3 adult sized people in the back (I mean, I wouldn't want to travel a lot like that, but it is still do-ale if you need to on occasion - but that's the same for any small car and a lot of larger cars. Insurance is very reasonable.

Jupiters · 30/10/2019 00:57

We had one and were happy with it.

GetTheSprinkles · 30/10/2019 01:43

3 skodas in our family over the years ( I sold my fabia 5 years ago). Great value and very reliable

Charley1988 · 30/10/2019 01:49

Yay. Nice car to drive

LighteningRidge · 30/10/2019 03:03

I keep trying to persuade my mum to get a fabia. They are great cars. They are nippy and really fun to drive Grin I have an Octavia and often get a fabia as a courtesy car. I'd have one if I didn't commute as far but the Octavia stays as it is better suited for me.

ColdCottage · 30/10/2019 03:09

Loved mine. Just keep an eye on the tyres as they can leak from the rims a little. Great car.

BarbaraofSeville · 30/10/2019 04:18

I've got a slightly newer estate version as a company car and it's great. Exactly what you want for safe affordable motoring.

Will be fine size wise as long as your son's crap isn't too massive and you can always fold the seats down if there's just the two of you.

I don't find it underpowered either even on the motorway or undertaking, you just have to drop a gear where necessary.

You might find the S model quite basic in terms of equipment - mine is the next model up and it still has manual window winders in the back for example, the air con is very basic and I had to pay extra for cruise control, but that's a minor point, what you want is something safe, reliable and affordable, and that's what you should be getting with that car.

At that age, it's probably just been through it's first MOT this year, so just check that online and also check that it's been serviced according to the schedule.

DontCallMeShitley · 30/10/2019 10:42

Yes.
We had one, reliable, easy to park. Only got rid because the lease ran out and congestion charge changed.

We managed to cram a LOT of stuff in the back when we moved too. If you are thinking of doing similar just make sure you get the right one, doors wise.

You can get 4 in it comfortably, more so than the huge and ugly Phev which has practically no leg room at all.

frippit · 30/10/2019 10:49

I loved my fabia. It was spacious and nippy. I passed it on to my son when he passed his test as we needed a bigger car to tow our caravan. He's has a transit van for work now but reminisces about the fabia every so often.
My daughter and her husband have an octavia and it's very big and economical for her family.
I'd defo go for a fabia again.

victoria0132 · 30/10/2019 10:50

Loved mine, great value and nice to drive.

FriedasCarLoad · 30/10/2019 10:55

I had two. (First was written off in an accident, second was sold after I inherited a far newer car).

Fine to drive, cheap to run, reliable up to very high mileages. Would totally buy again.

Meowandchoppychops · 30/10/2019 11:06

We swopped our 3 door VW Up! For a 5 door fabia after I got pregnant and it's a lovely little car, cheap to run, reliable and spacious for such a small car. I really wanted a polo but couldn't quite stretch to one but happy with it so far. We have the hatchback and it's got a good size boot, and plenty of room for car seats. Easy to park and although not quite as fun to chuck around the country roads as my up! but certainly has more umph for overtaking and hills.

Olinguito · 30/10/2019 11:13

We have a Fabia 1.2 and I really like it. As others have said it is basically a VW at a cheaper price. It has a slightly bigger boot than a Polo or a Fiesta. I find ours pleasant to drive, comfortable and easy to manoeuvre and park. I haven't driven a 1.0 so don't know how that compares but I'm generally impressed by the Skoda range.

Zaphodsotherhead · 30/10/2019 11:30

I am a Skoda fan! Loved my Fabia to death (and drove it until it disintegrated, but the diesel engine was still going strong). Wonderful car - I had the estate because I have dogs, and it never put a wheel wrong.

When it went to the great scrapheap in the sky, I promptly bought an Octavia, but only because I couldn't find a Fabia in my price range.

eliope · 30/10/2019 11:57

Whenever my dh, mechanic is asked he always recommends a Skoda Fabia. A good solid safe car.

spiderlight · 30/10/2019 12:45

We've got one. It's ancient (2007) but it's been as good as gold. Really reliable.