24th Jul 2009, 04:05

I have a Skoda Fabia Combi (estate) 1.9 TDI, which actually runs very well, ample power and brilliant economy (typically 60-70 MPG). It is comfortable, quiet when cruising and provides good load carrying capacity.

However, I am fed up with niggles. I have a very slight oil leak, which leaves the odd drip on the drive, but I cannot locate the source. When it rains, water soaks into the rear door interior panels and on to the carpet. The door drain channels are clear, so don't know why this happens. The supply tube to the rear washer keeps detaching itself at the pump end - and is very difficult to get at to re-attach.

The electric window switches decide for themselves whether they will work or not and finally the passenger door window mechanism has failed. One of the plastic slides secured to the glass carrier has snapped and now the cables are mangled. I have obtained a repair kit with new slides, cables and winder mechanism (without motor), but looks like a nightmare to work out how to fit.

I live in France where Skoda dealers are few and far between and, even if I track one down, despite my reasonable French, I shall have grave difficulty explaining the problem I need them to fix.

25th May 2010, 08:54

I'm amazed at the problems I've just read about.

I live in Ireland, and have had a Skoda Fabia 1.4 diesel "Combi" (Estate) since January 2007 (old model). It's done 87,000km, averaging 5.1l / 100km and the only problem I can recall is that the end of the remote cable to the filler cap fell off. The dealer fixed it for nothing.

My son has the new model Fabia 1.4 diesel hatchback. It has done over 80,000km, and the only problems have been leaking suspension struts (discovered by the dealer and replaced free of charge) and a blown fuse for the fag lighter (also fixed free of charge).

The real problem, in my opinion, is not the Skoda itself, but the H7 dipped headlight bulbs, which I have to change nearly as often as my socks. I've just bought a pair of Philips bulbs that are supposed to "last longer and be 10% brighter", so fingers crossed.

I previously had a 99 Octavia, and had no trouble with that either - until my son drove it into a wall.

25th May 2010, 17:04

Surprising -- I drive a 2001 Mitsubishi Galant, and for the life of me, I have never owned a car that needed its low beam headlamp bulbs replaced so often -- H7 too! I have replaced each side at least once or twice. Never have I needed to replace any bulbs on any of my other cars, which had H4 bulbs (the only other car was my '96 A4, which also used H7!) I feel a conspiracy here...

30th May 2010, 18:44

I have just bought a Skoda Fabia Classic 8v. Being a novice, I need advice from the people in the know you guys.

My brake lights and hand brake lights are not responding. Having replaced the bulbs and checked the fuses, still the problem exists. Could this be anything to do with the foot switch? If so, where is it located so I can check it out?

2nd Sep 2010, 15:08

Hello.

I have a Skoda Fabia 1.9 SDI Comfort (2000) 82,000K. Over the past few months I've gone through around 6 25 amp fuses linked to the internal header/ac unit!

Can anyone suggest what I should look at first before taking the car into the garage and paying to get looked at?

Many thanks.

Jan.