SECOND HAND SENSE:LIKE THE folks at Skoda, I had high hopes for the Roomster when it was launched two years ago. It was small, versatile, nippy around town and also comfortable for longer journeys. It also had enormous internal capacity and its seating flexibility was exceptional.
On the other hand, the Roomster did not quite get away with the quirkiness of its exterior design or the finish of its interior. The front half of the car has a saloon-like appearance, before joining a rather van-like rear end. For all that, I still regard the Roomster very highly and particularly so as a second-hand buy. At present car dealers are sorrounded by unsold second-hand cars. As with houses, you should not pay anything like the asking price. Thus anyone seeking a small car that is bursting with practicality, is very fuel-efficient and pleasant enough to drive should look at the Roomster. The base engine is a 1.2 petrol, which is the best option, although there are choices of 1.4 petrol and diesel units.
The car has a high roofline and oodles of storage space with the back seats down. Although the rear seats have Isofix fittings for child seats, they will not take three child seats - only two. The interior finish is disappointing and there is too much grey plastic, which even the brightness of the interior cannot overcome.
Like other Skodas, reliabiliy is not an issue and the car has a four-star crash rating. Normally we wait until a car has been around a bit longer than the Roomster for a second-hand review, but now is a good time to get a relatively new bargain. A 2007 car with the 1.4 petrol engine, six airbags, power steering, all electrics, CD player, metallic paint, remote locking and alarm and with only 7,000 kilometres on the clock is on offer for €12,500 - and that is the asking price, remember. A 1.2 version with a good level of equipment, a full service history and with 27,000km up is on offer for €16,500, which is way too high. A good cash offer might secure the former car for nearer €10,000.
STAR RATING : 7/10