Skoda Fabia buyer’s guide
How previous-generation supermini can be yours for £1,500
FOR more than a quarter of a century the Skoda brand has been a part of the Volkswagen Group. In that time the company’s product range has been transformed, to the point where owners of the cheaper brand enjoy greater satisfaction levels than those of the parent company.
Maybe it’s because Skoda buyers benefit from all of the great engineering that owners of the VW Group’s more costly cars enjoy, but at lower prices. That’s certainly the case with the Fabia, which offers good build quality and efficient engines but without having to pay through the nose for the privilege. Sensible rather than fun, the previousgeneration Fabia is a great used buy; here’s how to buy the right one for your needs.
History
THE Fabia Mk2 reached showrooms in May 2007 with 1.2, 1.4 or 1.6-litre petrol engines, along with 1.4 or 1.9-litre turbodiesels. The high-spec Sport arrived in January 2008, with a five-door estate. In April 2008 the ultra-economical 1.4 TDI Greenline was introduced, three months before the Fabia Scout pseudo off-roader appeared. A facelifted model debuted in March 2010, with a 1.2 TSI petrol engine (in 85bhp or 105bhp forms) replacing the 1.6-litre unit.
This facelift also brought a revised nose, optional seven-speed DSG transmission plus S, SE and Elegance trim levels in place of the previous 1, 2 and 3. A Fabia VRS arrived in September 2010, powered by a 178bhp 1.4 TSI engine and offered only with a DSG transmission.
Which one?
THE 2010 facelift brought much better petrol and diesel engines, not least the perky 1.2 TSI. This is easy to recommend, as is the auto-only sporty VRS. Both manual and DSG transmissions are excellent and, in terms of trims, the high-spec Sport is great value.
All Fabias have dual front and side airbags, central locking, electric front windows and a split rear seat. The 2 (which became the SE) adds air-con, alloys and electric mirrors, while the range-topping 3 (later the Elegance) includes cruise control and parking sensors. The high-spec SE Plus of May 2011 brought climate control, privacy glass, powered rear windows plus a multi-function steering wheel.
Alternatives
EXCELLENT superminis aren’t rare. The Ford Fiesta is cheap and plentiful, as is Vauxhall’s Corsa; both offer superb value with a huge range. The Renault Clio is top value, too, and the current model is an impressive car. Yet while its predecessor is good value, reliability is less certain, so you need to buy carefully.
That’s also true of the Peugeot 207, but if you value dependability above driving pleasure the Toyota Yaris should be on your shortlist. We’d also consider the SEAT Ibiza – effectively a reclothed Fabia – which looks sharp and is great value. Two more that focus on reliability and value are the Hyundai i20 and Kia Rio, which we’d also recommend.
Verdict
SKODA consistently scores highly in our Driver Power satisfaction surveys, and while the Fabia Mk2 is no longer as competitive as it was, it did achieve three consecutive top-25 placings between 2009 and 2011.
With the earliest cars now a decade old its star doesn’t shine as brightly, but it’s still a solid used buy. It’s offered with excellent engines and gearboxes, so if you buy at least a mid-range model you’ll also get decent kit without having to pay over the odds.
However, reliability has become a bugbear for some owners, so check that everything works. Also, don’t pay too much for a Fabia, as the car’s excellent reputation means asking prices vary significantly.
“Fabia offers good build quality and efficient engines without having to pay through the nose”
WE’VE come to expect Skodas to sit towards the top end of our Driver Power satisfaction surveys, but in the latest poll the Fabia managed a mere 144th. Surprisingly, its highest score was for practicality (65th); running costs were 66th. Next came reliability in 98th place; the worst score was for handling (150th).
YOUR VIEW
CRAIG Jackson, who lives in Market Drayton, Shropshire, owns a 2011 Fabia 1.2 TSI. He says: “What Skoda has done is amazing. It’s created a car that’s quick, fun to drive, economical and well equipped, yet as a used model it costs relatively little to buy. It’s spacious, too, and so far I’ve had no reliability issues with mine.”