In-depth reviews

Skoda Fabia estate (2007-2014): owner reviews

"The Fabia estate offers big-car practicaility in a small package."

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by Richard Ingram

3 Jul 2014

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Carbuyer Rating

4.0 out of 5

Owners Rating

4.1 out of 5

Reviews

Owner Reviews

5 out of 5
4 out of 5
3 out of 5
2 out of 5
1 out of 5

57%of people would recommend this car to a friend

Common Problems

Engine (6 cases)
Suspension (2 cases)
Electrics (5 cases)
Gearbox / clutch (1 case)
Other (1 case)

Review 1 of 42

Tell us what you think about your car?

Since I stopped commuting long distances the car has gone wrong time and time again. I recently spent £500 fitting a new egr valve, and now it needs a new ecu that will cost over £1,000. The car is not worth that expense, so I am going to have to scrap it. I have to put it down to change of use, so don't buy one unless you intend to use it for long journeys and don't keep it too long. Mine has done just over 90,000 miles and is scrap.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

I have owned this car for a little over a year and in all that time I have had no trouble whatsoever. It had been well maintained and had full Skoda service history. DRIVING EXPERIENCE: I don't understand some remarks made by professional reviewers that the diesel is noisy. I have owned several diesels and can say with absolute certainty that the diesel engine in the Fabia is relatively quiet yet responsive. The turbo serves well when asked and the ride is comfortable. The manual 5 speed gearbox is tight and easy to change up or down. HANDLING: The excellent turning circle affords the driver less grief when making tight turns. The ride on A roads and motorways is more than adequate as far as comfort levels are concerned . So it fulfils It's task well but without exceeding your expectations. It will, like the VW Golf/Polo happily canter along great stretches without complaint or miss-behaving and is well bolted together inside giving that "German quality feel". OVERALL: I have had time to get used to this car and I suppose, get quite attached to it as it has proved dependable and presented me with, as yet, no costly tantrums. As I mentioned previously, it is very well bolted together and gives a feel of quality. The boot space is great for a smallish estate and can obviously be extended by removing the rear seat cushions and folding the backs down. As a bonus, the detatchable factory fitted tow bar and electrics (on my car at least) hidden behind the rear bumper gives it the ability to pull along a trailer or small caravan. If you're thinking of buying a small, cared for used estate car that at the time of writing is only £20 pa to tax and delivers great fuel returns, then I would suggest you might consider the Mk 2 Fabia estate, especially the high spec models with A/c , cruise control etc. MY GRIPES: The radio/CD player is awkwardly placed in the centre, below the main dashboard and has caused me to crack my knee on the bottom corner on more than one occasion whilst getting in the car. Admittedly, I am a little taller than the average chap so perhaps more prone to this particular problem.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Great

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

uses / burns a little oil the paint is very easy to chip or mark

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Yes Green thumbs up

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Problems with engine noise traced to faulty injectors

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No Red thumbs down

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What's to tell it's very good.

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Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

No problems yet

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

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Spacious, comfortable, economical and more then fast enough with 1.6 TDI 105 diesel engine. Bought car second hand with low mileage and have had only one problem with it. Had to replace a faulty airbag sensor about one month out of warranty. Cost £260 and was disappointed that Skoda customer Services did not think this was unacceptable an a car with less than average mileage. Other than that car has been very reliable and economy is excellent as I regularly see in excess of 60mpg with an overall average of around 55mpg. My only other slight issue is that the paintwork seems to mark too easily but overall I'm happy with my purchase and would buy from Skoda again.

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Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Never had any problems. Starts first time and runs very well.

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No Red thumbs down

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no problems at present always starts 1st time comfortable ride

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

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I have only owned it for two months but so far it is 100%

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

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Small niggley issues since new with electric window switches, hopefully now sorted after the 6th visit to the dealers.

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No Red thumbs down

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very good

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Yes Green thumbs up

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Flawless so far, not had it long though

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

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Extremely reliable. Only one minor fault in almost 5 years.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Excellent reliability, look after the routine maintenance and it gives you no worries. Some rust spots appearing at 10 yrs old and 130k, and the usual wear items of brakes, and a couple of wheel bearings at 100k but that's about it.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

This Fabia Estate 1.9TDI was ordered direct from the factory in 2007 and registered on 1st September.The mileage now is 18,200. In those far off days, the car came with lots of standard extras, Cruise control, Heated seats and external mirrors, heated windscreen washers,rear reversing sensors,aircondioning as well as a power sunroof, I paid extra for Orange Metallic paintwork. It has been serviced by Skoda dealer from new, and apart from windscreen wiper replacements,a replacement battery at 51/2 years 2 new front tyres there has been no other faults. The only problem is that my dealer is always asking me to trade it in! but any replacement now would cost me another £2000 over the price of a replacement car for all the extras!

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Yes Green thumbs up

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Very Good - warning light intermittent on dashboard - haven't had it checked.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Since new on 16th October it has been in the dealer's garage for a week, trying to solve an engine management problem and the low MPG. This is still a problem

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

No problems.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Totally reliable. One suspension problem in 7 years.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

I have not been driving it long enough to tell, but my Dad never had any issues.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

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Nothing has gone wrong.

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No Red thumbs down

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car broke down on our way back from lincoln no power steeringengine failurebattery discharged.called skoda assist who in turn sent the racoutto us. rac did temp repair to get us home.

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No Red thumbs down

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Burns out spark plugs

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Yes Green thumbs up

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Nothing i can say great

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

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Having had the garage replace CV joints quite a number of times over the past 2 years we have finally discovered it is the gearbox that is failing. We are hearing from various sources that the gearboxes are an issue. About to trade it in, but are now cancelling dealer appointment whilst we decide on another make as I no longer have confidence in the Skoda brand.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

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Completely reliable.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

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it never fails! starts on the button everytime.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

i work delivering sandwiches and this car stops and starts 10+ times per day, it has let me down once in three years when it needed a new clutch, can't complain

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

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No breakdowns in all the time I've had it.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

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I commute 35 miles to work on the motorway and I average between 58 and 65 mpg, it's not as great as the stated mpg but good enough. Overall the car has been great, space enough for dog and car full of bags and comfortable on long drives. 2 issues, the MDI connection for mp3s is glitchy and should just be a usb port and the fan unit in my car has broken twice in 6 months for unknown reasons. Otherwise great car.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

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Always starts first time ,suspension could be stronger does not seem to like road conditions these days.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

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A few niggles with electrics Reversing sensors Radio

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

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no problems yet

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

EXCELLENT

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

It has been very little trouble other than regular servicing and wear and tear items.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

40000 never missed a beat

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

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