Buying a used Skoda Fabia estate
It is surely time to put the perception of modern Skoda cars as Soviet-era clunkers to rest. Most people may not be aware that Skoda has traditionally been a highly respected car maker that suffered its greatest setback when it was nationalised and then neglected by the state, to the extent that its star almost extinguished. Neither will many be aware that Skoda is now part of the Volkswagen group and that in many cases - on a euro for euro basis - its cars are even a better bet than an equivalent VW.
Take the Fabia estate, for instance. It is the Skoda equivalent of the VW Polo. It is not, it has to be said, a pretty car but it does have inoffensive lines and a rather soft profile, more so than the Polo, actually. If you are looking for a small car with a big loading capacity and you are interested in getting from A to B reliably, safely, economically and generally comfortably (these are the only requirements many people have of their cars) then you should definitely take a very close look indeed at the Fabia estate.
You should, however, see the Skoda in context. While the Skoda will do all of the above very efficiently it will not park up well beside a BMW 3-Series, nor will you find it bedecked with gadgetry. The basic 1.2 version does not have a great deal more than twin airbags, remote locking, power steering and an alarm immobiliser system. But it is a great little car to drive - the 1.2 engine can struggle a bit when the car is fully laden, but how often is that going to happen ?
The Fabia is an ideal city car that is also more than capable of the longer journey - but the seats will not be the most supportive during the latter. Neither is it hugely roomy for big passengers. The small 55 horse power engine (the 1.4 engine produces 68 horse power) is more than adequate for someone whose primary use of the car is in the city, or for someone looking for a starter car that insurance companies will smile benignly upon.
The interior is practical and not the most pleasing to the eye, with a bit too much plastic without much relief. Everything is, however, functional. No fuss and no frills is basically the message here. It is when you want to use the boot that the car comes into its own. The boot area is one of the best thought out and most practical we have ever come across in a car of this size. It has under-floor storage space, a big load area and is so easy to load and unload.
The Fabia scored four out of a possible five stars in the EuroENCAP crash tests, being praised for adult occupant protection. However, it did fall down on child restraints, a point worth remembering for parents.
Looking for mechanical faults in the Fabia is a tiresome exercise. It has had only two listed recalls in six years, and one of those recalls affected only 10 cars. Suffice to say the car is an excellent second-hand bet as long as it has been reasonably cared for.
A 2001 car with 63,000 miles on the clock and with a 1.2 engine, electric windows, two airbags will cost about €7,400. A 2004 model with the same equipment and 17,000 miles on the clock, plus ABS, fog lights and computer, and a 1.4 engine will cost about €9,500.
- DONAL BYRNE
FOR: Excellent choice for reliability, economy and practicality. Perhaps the small estate on the market
AGAINST: Not for the fashion-conscious