Skoda Fabia Hatchback (2007 - 2014) 1.4 TDI PD (80bhp) GreenLine 5d (2009/09) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

Driving a Skoda nowadays does still get you a bit of stick from people who are stuck in the nineties and don't realise that since 2001 Skoda is essentially a VW without the price tag. It's for someone who is confident enough in them-self that they can just focus on the fact that a Skoda is just really comfortable to drive.

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

Some like to make heated rear windscreen Jokes but anyone who has been inside it with me agrees that it is more spacious than they would have imagined and a good smooth ride.

Would you buy this car again and why?

Buying this car was the best car-related move I've ever made. When I replace the Fabia I will replace it ... With a Fabia.

What are you likely to buy next?

I'm definitely going to own a Skoda for as long as they continue to be as good as they are now; I currently own a Fabia and an Octavia. I'm currently looking into the Nissan Qashquai+2 but mainly because Skoda don't yet offer a seven seater and my family is growing.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Franchised

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£9,000

When did you buy the car?

August 2009

Did you get a good deal and why?

The car was pre-registered by the dealer and effectively brand new when I got it. It had a couple of hundred miles on the clock and we got it for 4 grand less than the new price.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

Bought the car when previous car, Citroen Saxo, died on the motorway. Rental we got in the interim period was a Fabia and driving it out of the rental lot I knew I wanted one.

What was the dealer like?

The dealer was fantastic. They were friendly and trustworthy. No awkward test drive with the dealer constantly trying to tell you how amazing the car was. The dealer simply handed me the keys and told me a good route to try and I was off on my own in the car to get a real feel for it driving the way I normally would. When I returned he knew the car would have done the talking and was not at all pushy. I told him I wanted to think about it, he gave me time and answered all my questions with no pressure. The sale was easily secured.

What's it like to drive?

I rediscovered my love of driving through the Fabia, quick enough to get me where I'm going it remains smooth and comfortable on the motorway. Equally comfortable through the winding countries roads of Scotland. Nippy acceleration and a comfortable steering wheel, the Fabia ticks all the boxes for day to day needs.

What's it like to park?

The Fabia comfortably drove my wife, baby daughter and parents in law down south for 2 hours so it's not cramped, but it is compact enough to easily find a space whether in a multistory or parallel parking round my mate's house. Smooth gearbox and power steering make it an easy job.

Have you had any problems with the car?

I know the diesel particle filter can play up if it is not given ample time to warm up and clean itself out. Mine has never been an issue whatsoever. The rental I had before purchasing mine, the DPF light came on but I just gave it a blast round the motorway for 15 minutes and it soon sorted itself out. Otherwise no issues with the Fabia at all. Only time it has been in the garage besides MOT and service was for chipped windscreen (which has happened twice).

What's most practical about your car?

The Greenline is a fantastic car with great mileage. I generally cruise along at anywhere from 50-55 mpg on my way to work and if I need to do any extended motorway driving (drove around France, through Switzerland and Belgium a few summers ago) and got to between 60-65. The boot is ideal for a buggy.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

As it was a pre-registered car with the dealer it was a show car and came with no added extras but the DPF as mentioned before leads to great mileage opportunities.