2005 Skoda Fabia

KWD 3,260 - 3,740

Loses coolant as a bottom-mounted hose wears away, eventually causing overheating. Faulty a/c temperature sensors possible in some model years. Reports of ECU failures due to moisture. Wiring can get wet due to blocked drains for vent-plenum chamber. Water can end up in cabin footwell. Skoda recognises drain problem, although local dealers may not. Drainage problem fixed by removing plastic liners of drains and making sure waterproof cover is fitted properly over pollen filter. Soft engine mounts cause clunking noises. Numerous engine problems, including head gasket failures, misaligned auxiliary-drive belt, fuses blowing in immobiliser circuit due to fuel-pump fault, and possible coolant loss through loosely-bolted head gasket. Several reports of rear glass in hatchbacks shattering. Reports of repeated windshield-washer pump failure, ABS faults, hydraulic clutch master-cylinder failure, power steering failure, timing belt and tensioner failure, and water leaks into cabin. Weak evaporator switches causes non-working a/c, while a/c condenser gets damaged easily by road debris. Both a/c problems are expensive to fix. Driveshaft hub-nuts come loose in early models, but new-style bolts available.