2006 Skoda Fabia Safeline Estate 1.4 TDI turbo diesel from Norway

Summary:

A no-thrills workhorse that does what a car should do: drive

Faults:

Except for the expected wear and tear, there has only been one serious issue: Door seals leaking; this is a known issue and was fixed under warranty.

After 6 years, squeaking noises have started to appear everywhere.

General Comments:

Strong engine... pulls and pulls and pulls, even at low revs.

Good road handling and precise steering.

Frugal - 70 MPG on average over 3 years.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd May, 2013

2006 Skoda Fabia Elegance 1.9 TDI turbo diesel from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Very good buy, despite the niggles

Faults:

Rear door seals - replaced on this and previous car.

Steering bushes - replaced at 40k.

Estate boot lid wouldn't open - needed 5 visits to dealer.

Previous Fabia 1.4 16v required piston rings at 30000 miles. Skoda paid.

General Comments:

TDI brilliant if chipped from 100bhp to 140bhp - had this done at 3000 miles, no problems.

52mpg to 70mpg on a run.

Loads of space.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th September, 2010

2006 Skoda Fabia Elegance 1.9 turbo diesel from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Nice car, shame about the dealers!

Faults:

Clutch packed in after 15,000 miles. Replaced and gone again at 17,000.

The dealer insisted it was wear and tear? And charged me £800 to fix it.

Then the new clutch has packed in, dealer doesn't want to know.

General Comments:

A very smart looking car, and extremely economical (62 MPG +).

Lovely and comfortable.

A quite nippy car, with loads of low down torque.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 1st May, 2009

2nd May 2009, 01:27

If you don't use it as a learner car or ride the clutch all day, this is a manufacturing fault. Speak to Skoda direct or go to another dealer.

After a little discussion, Skoda paid for new calipers, discs AND pads on our Octavia at 15,000 miles due to a sticking caliper issue. The car came back clean too with an apology for the fault - unlike with the previous Audi...

Surprised you are having any problem with warranty - unless it is clear that it IS your fault?? Skoda have a superb reputation for looking after owners without fuss and most owners buy Skoda again and again.

Definitely a dealer issue!!! Try elsewhere - good luck.

2nd Sep 2011, 15:55

Still have same car, now coming up to 5 years old with 40,000 on the clock. Two dealers along the line, refused to admit there was a problem when taken in and left with them. After 38,000 miles it now intermittently refuses to go into 2nd gear without a large crunch. Apparently the dual mass flywheels cause the clutch wear, when they are out of balance.

2006 Skoda Fabia vRS 1.9TDi PD from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Only had for 3 months and 3000 miles so as expected, nothing has gone wrong so far.

The front suspension sometimes 'knocks' over bumps, but I'm told this is common on all Fabia vRSs.

General Comments:

I bought this car at the start of July '07 as I fancied a change from the 122k mile Astra I had previously, and wanted something fairly discreet looking, but with a bit of poke. It is discreet looking in Silver, and doesn't even have colour coded door handles etc.

I read a review of it before I bought it which said it was a hot-hatch for more mature drivers who didn't really want a hot-hatch. This is probably quite true, as it's certainly not a chavtastic high revving screaming hot-hatch, in fact, it isn't a hot-hatch at all. Performance and handling is good, sporty, but it isn't a performance car. The Fabia is a compromise between a sensible economical small hatchback and a hot-hatch. Understand that it's not trying to be anything else and you will enjoy this car.

The good things: performance is respectable and you can make swift progress, looks good if somewhat discreet (but I like this), it has very good fuel economy and general running costs, it's not a Mini Cooper (Estate Agents and 17 year old girls vehicle)!

The bad things: the light interior is easily marked if not careful, paint on the front which chips easily and has a black coat underneath, slightly offset pedals to the driver's seat.

I like my Fabia and don't regret buying it, but will probably buy something different in another 3 years just for a change.

Without a doubt though... the best thing about the Fabia vRS is its ability to rile BMW drivers and drivers of other rep-mobiles. They HATE being passed a Skoda and obviously see it has a personal mission to overtake you in return. To give you an example - I was following a Mondeo TDCi 130bhp down the A1 last week. As we approached a roundabout, I took the right-hand lane so as to overtake him as we exited the roundabout onto the dual-carriageway. He obviously was not keen on a scummy Skoda driver passing his mighty rep-chariot and booted it. So I booted it to... Cheerio Mr Mundano! Ditto Mr BMW the next day. In the short few months I've owned my VRS, this happens regularly. I'm usually an average driver who treats my car with a bit of mechanical sympathy, but I can't resist an invitation like that from the badge-snobs in their rep-mobiles (BMW reps easily identified by their de-badge option and pea-shooter exhaust!).

If you want a VRS, buy one - they're fun and you won't regret it! Just understand that it's not in the same league as a Civic Type-R or Clio 192 etc etc (but then neither's the price!).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 12th October, 2007

15th Oct 2007, 06:25

'The front suspension sometimes "knocks" over bumps, but I'm told this is common on all Fabia vRSs.'

I'd get it checked at a dealer, but it's probably the anti-roll bar. It is a common problem that's easily sorted.

P.S. Glad you like your car. Annoying repmobiles is one of my hobbies, too.