2007 Skoda Fabia 1 1.2 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A big modern super-mini for pocket money!

Faults:

None.

General Comments:

My first brand new car. As you see, I haven't owned it for long, but I am very happy with the car. It feels solidly built and has 4 airbags, ABS etc. so should be safe enough.

I have driven the old model Fabia, but this model feels like a big improvement. It feels more modern, handles well and looks similar to the mini or Suzuki Swift.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th December, 2007

21st Mar 2008, 03:11

2000 mile update: The car's run in now and feels really quick, much more so than the figures suggest. (50 mph in 7-8 seconds, 60 in 10-11!) At the moment the car is back in the garage, a small piece of trim between the bottom of the nearside A-pillar and the front wing is loose. Everything else is fine though and I'm really pleased with the car.

2007 Skoda Fabia 3 1.6 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Bland looks conceal a reliable, reasonably warm hatch

Faults:

Only had it a couple of weeks, but the heated seat switches were swapped. Driver's switch worked passenger seat and vice versa - not exactly a major problem - but is an electrical glitch that Fabias have a reputation for.

General Comments:

We bought the Fabia3 because we were impressed by our previous Fabia Elegance 1.4 16-valve. The extra touches on the Fabia3 like heated seats, reversing sensors, climatronic air con, front fogs are worth it, although the front armrest is just a nuisance and I need to remove it.

The 1.6 engine develops 105 bhp, and is reckoned to cover 0 to 60 in 10.1 seconds. I imagine it will as it pulls with a satisfying surge, especially around 4000 rpm.

The ride is firm, but comfortable and the car handles well around corners although still is not as responsive and satisfyingly flat around the bends as my 10-year-old 306.

One nuisance is wind noise from the driver's window / door. Others have reported this and it is a pain - it should have been removed at the design stage.

The car is slightly taller than the previous Fabia which means the aerial caught on my garage up and over door - so I've had to source and fit a shorter aerial - £6. Which I did no problems, but was disappointed that the dealer couldn't source one when asked, as normally they're good.

My sister said it looks like a London taxi, and maybe it does a little, but now I quite like it.

The brakes are discs all round, but are nowhere near as sharp as on our previous Fabia. On that I only had to hover over the pedal and the car would screech to a halt in no space at all. They really were excellent. These are just ordinary - I may get them checked after they've settled down.

Overall we're satisfied with the Fabia3 1.6 16-valve petrol. It'll do.

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

Review Date: 14th November, 2007

2007 Skoda Fabia vRS 1.9 tdi from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Top notch diesel hot hatch

Faults:

Problem with the interior light and the hazard warning lights on the door, staying on when the engine was turned off, and key removed from ignition and alarm activated.

It turned out the alarm was faulty. Fixed with no issues.

General Comments:

Very happy with the car. It's comfortable and quick, once you know how to use the power correctly; it has bags of torque.

I just love cruising on the motorway, doing 120k's in 6th, and you give it some and it takes off. That puts a smile on my face every time.

As mentioned before, the seats are a nightmare to keep clean.

Hesitation at 1800rpm can be a pain sometimes, but not a lot can be done about this, as it has to do with stricter eu4 emissions, and I can live with it because I love the car. Anyway chipping it should get rid of it, plus give it some extra ponies!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th June, 2007

13th Aug 2007, 01:24

You don't need to chip it to get rid of the stutter mate.

It's to do with the EGR valve letting in too much gas. Fit a 9mm gasket to it and the stutter will go away. Skoda will not do this for you though, as the car will no longer be EU compliant on emissions, and the EGR valve will no longer be covered under warranty.

Failing that, turn the EGR valve down using VAG-COM.

A remap does not normally touch the EGR valve settings.