Faults:

Right front brake caliper seized. re-conditioned replacement reasonably good value, compared to the Astra I owned before. It`s a shame I could not find a rebuild kit and had to buy a whole re-conditioned unit. In my experience, all alloy calipers can seize with age so I don`t blame the car at all.

Started motor (non original) failed. Re-conditioned replacement is surprisingly twice the size, so again, I will not blame the car, just the part.

I now self cancel left indicators in all the cars I drive because the Skoda`s do not, so I end up turning on the right indicator in them. I still won`t blame the car because I used to have a Seat Ibiza that could not self cancel either direction...

Front suspension bushes started to crunch horribly, my local dealer said it was common. They fixed it for more than the car is worth. I blame the car for this.

The heated rear window, when switched on, creates interference on the radio. I don`t switch it on, my radio reception is more important. It`s not such a problem in the temperate south of England, so I don`t blame the car.

Today, I smelt petrol all through my journey to work. A pipe (non original), from something to something in the carburetor area was split, and replacing the pipe, all six inches of it, worked a treat. Again, I blame the non-original part, not the car.

The sunroof leaks and has to be sealed with unattractive carpet tape. I blame myself for removing the sunroof, as it`s possible in a Favorit, and carrying ladders through the sunroof aperture. This deformed the roof slightly and made sealing impossible, creating a puddle in the foot wells every time it rains. My fault, not the car`s.

The mileage reading is low, but the actual mileage is unknown. The mileometer/speedometer chooses to only register the first ten or so miles of any journey so miles recorded and, during journey, speed reached is anyone`s guess. Definitely the car`s fault. I bought a low mileage car, it`s purchaser will buy a low mileage car. None of us knows, but I`ll come clean.

General Comments:

My car is a 1990 Czech product, pre VW influence (which I`m proud of),which explains a lot including a sun dried dash top that resembles a curled up sandwich and electrics that have their own mind. I have yet to find any rust though.

My Favorit Estate is NOT seriously quick and does NOT handle like it`s on rails. I`m lucky enough to have another car that does, so I don`t expect that of my beloved Skoda.

Having read some recent reviews, I think either my car is under-achieving or the reviewers have some performance secrets they are not sharing. My car is in very good condition, but it is slow and sounds like it`ll explode at over 3000 rpm (and when pushed, does not deliver bhp let alone torque), but, if a `preservation of momentum` driving style is adopted and corners are anticipated and `leant into` early, the body roll gradually takes up all of the strain so the suspension and tyres grip like billy-o. Just don`t ask it to change direction too quickly - It can`t. Great fun is had annoying following cars by pulling away in sweeping corners! As fast as sensible in, as fast as possible out!

I bought my Skoda as a Work/Pub/Tip/DIY Shop car. I can ferry my friends to a pub, anywhere, in town or out-in-the-sticks, leave the car over night and it will always be there the next morning awaiting collection (Skodas still aren`t cool for thieves or vandals). It`s small on the outside, but fantastically big on the inside for DIY shop purchases and those big tip runs. It is anti-style, although, in my opinion, hugely stylish (styled by Bertone don`t you know), snob proof and quite rare now, especially in turquoise with fog lights, sun roof and a boot spoiler!High class!

I may be branded as sad by some, but I think these Bertone styled Skodas should be seen as classics now. Somebody will miss them when they`re gone. Hans Ledwinka and his cohorts` legacy should not be forgotten.

Faults:

Water Pump

Fuel Pump

Brake Hoses

Carburettor

Ball joints

Exhaust

Battery.

General Comments:

This was my uncles first new car and I inherited it from him in 2002.

He lost sight in one eye in 1994 and the car was lying unused from then so all the things wrong with the car were really related to NOT being used.

The car is almost as new and while having almost no value seemed well worth getting back on the road.

This has proved to be the case and it now starts and runs very well.

This car is remarkably well engineered.

I was particularly impressed by the water pump which was beautifully machined and secured with plated bolts

This base model had no radio and I found fitting a VW Golf rear roof ariel the easiest choice

I have found the local dealer does not have many parts (or much interest)and has to order specially.

A specialist mail order dealer was much better.

Must say The car starts first time and runs very smoothly.

I would like an estate and I have been told that the hatch back and estate rear door are identical which i find interesting and maybe unique?

A new book on the history of Skoda tells an interseting story and shows the Favorit played a crucial part in keeping the company alive at a low point in their history

An under rated car and a bargain if you can find a rust free one.

Faults:

The mileometer has never worked leading to embarrassment at MOT times, aside from that this car continues to survive a daily thrashing from cold in a last minute dash to work on muddy and unprepared roads.

The sun roof leaks and the door handles, window winders and switchgear are falling to bits.

Brake servo failed recently and the distributor fell apart, otherwise no problems.

General Comments:

Economical due to the 5 speed box.

Surprisingly quick if kept on the boil.

Embarrasses the hell out of other more modern small cars and beats the hell out of the Metro it replaced in every department apart from cornering ability.

Amazingly rot free, cheap to insure, anonymous styling.

Faults:

Mileometer not working on purchase. As speedo still working I've not yet replaced it.

Window winder stiff.

Earth problem led to problems with brake light acting as indicator! This was easily fixed by tightening various nuts properly.

No major faults.

General Comments:

Vastly underrated little car. Build quality seems better than the Montego it replaced, but a few too many bare screwheads compared with Western Europe & Japanese makes.

I've only owned it since November 1997 but I have done about 6000 miles so far. (I do 300 miles a week just to go to work and back).

On the road the only problem I encounter is the need to keep the revs high on motorway inclines when travelling between 50 - 65 mph. Above this speed it seems OK.