Polo/Fabia buying advice

[Nande2000]

First of three kids is doing her driving test and my only vehicle the moment is a t6.1 dsg.

So I decided to buy a Polo or Fabia 1 litre petrol (80 or 95 ps) manual that she and her siblings can use/learn in over the next 5 years / 60000 miles and i can use it for single occupancy journeys to keep miles down on the van.

Question is, assuming the vehicle has been serviced correctly what’s the sweet spot in terms of mileage to buy a used polo/fabia for hassle (AA call-out) free motoring?

 

[Graham Jones]

First of three kids is doing her driving test and my only vehicle the moment is a t6.1 dsg.

So I decided to buy a Polo or Fabia 1 litre petrol (80 or 95 ps) manual that she and her siblings can use/learn in over the next 5 years / 60000 miles and i can use it for single occupancy journeys to keep miles down on the van.

Question is, assuming the vehicle has been serviced correctly what’s the sweet spot in terms of mileage to buy a used polo/fabia for hassle (AA call-out) free motoring?

We have had 2 Polos and have had the latest one for 9 months. (2 manuals and latest DSG) Have always bought new and sold at 5 -7years old...only around 50-70,000 kilometres. Always serviced by the book . When we have sold them they are still like new... check service history, if complete no worries. Don't know if that helps or not.
P.S. Looked at Fabia for this latest buy, but it didn't drive as well as the Polo. No where near. Cheers.

 

[BuilderJay]

Daughter had 2 6R polos and been solid. Earlier one had to change engine valves as VW changed them to hardened ones later. Daughter now has a 24 plate Ascot Grey R-Line DSG which obviously is pretty new and no worries as of yet. Good cars and recommend one.

 

[Sackmycook]

Daughter is running a 10 plate 1.4 auto in London. She reports it as 'thirsty'

 

[Paynewright]

Ibiza is the same family/platform too, as is the Audi A1. The latter probably doesn’t fit the ‘learner’ vehicle remit!

 

[Sasquatch]

I recently had a Polo 1.0 as a courtesy car for a day - I think it would have been an 80. I swear its the slowest thing I've ever driven, made my old 1.3 Sierra and my lasses old 107 feel like fighter jets in comparison. So glacially slow its dangerous - plant your right foot and youre absolutely helpless until it starts to wake up, even in lower gears. I wouldn't put a child of mine in one and was greatly relieved to return it. On paper the 95 is barely any better.

They're in the order of 1.1 tonnes, cracking on half as heavy again as a mk1 Golf. You need at least the 110 to be able to handle all traffic conditions without undue prior planning.

They were made in Spain, now in Sarf Afreeca, and the fit and finish isn't worth the VW tax over a similar rival.

Back in the dibble the A segment cars that best handled the abuse (estimated to be 20 times the wear and tear a normal car experiences) was the humble old Corsa. They were like cockroaches. That said, I doubt a Stellantis era Corsa with a Puketech 1.2 is any fun to own if you dont like unexpected huge billsmfor engine rebuilds.

 

[Nande2000]

Ibiza is the same family/platform too, as is the Audi A1. The latter probably doesn’t fit the ‘learner’ vehicle remit!

The Ibizas are nice, just more on the insurance.

Polos seem to win on insurance costs and depreciation.

I test drove a Fabia MPI 80 and quite liked it even after the dealer saying it was dangerously slow

 

[Nande2000]

I recently had a Polo 1.0 as a courtesy car for a day - I thinmmitmwoild have been an 80. I swear it’s the slowest thing I've ever driven, made my old 1.3 Sierra and my lasses old 107 feel like fighter jets in comparison. So glacially slow its dangerous - plant your right foot and youre absolutely helpless until it starts to wake up, even in lower gears. I wouldn't put a child of mine in one and was greatly relieved to return it.

I really liked the Fabia 80 I tried. Felt planted. Sure it was slow, but I felt really involved driving it up and down the gears. I need to try the 95

 

[Sasquatch]

The chassis was decent, it was spacious enough that my 6'5" and 20 stone wasn't too cramped, and although the steering was vague the front end was predictable. But that engine was painful, ruined the whole car.

It was really hard work for an experienced and well qualified driver- imagine how difficult a new driver would find staying out of trouble with that? It's like taking a feather duster to a gunfight.

 

[dubber36]

We have 2 Polo 6Rs. Both over 100k miles now.

The 1.2 12v slipped its timing chain (as most eventually do) and needed a rebuild. Most would have scrapped it, but the rest of the car is spotless, so better than risking a 'new' car with hidden risk. The 1.2 TSI has been faultless, apart from tired rear dampers.

Both still average around 50mpg and cost next to nothing to insure, even for our daughter.

The 1.0 seems to be the evolution of the 1.2 TSI, so I'd have no concerns about buying one with a few miles providing that it had regular oil changes.

 

[Chippie1]

I to am on the lookout for a car for my daughter who’s learning to drive! Now I am a vw fan and she does like the polo but we are leaning more towards the Audi a1 possibly the Audi a3 she feels more comfortable in a slightly bigger car and they are a nicer place to sit with a few more toys to boot. The insurance quotes she has been getting are not to bad believe it or not on par and even slightly better than the polo. Any one have experience in the Audi? Dos and don’t? What to look out for?

 

[Skyliner33]

I to am on the lookout for a car for my daughter who’s learning to drive! Now I am a vw fan and she does like the polo but we are leaning more towards the Audi a1 possibly the Audi a3 she feels more comfortable in a slightly bigger car and they are a nicer place to sit with a few more toys to boot. The insurance quotes she has been getting are not to bad believe it or not on par and even slightly better than the polo. Any one have experience in the Audi? Dos and don’t? What to look out for?

What age Audi A1 are you looking at? Manual or S-Tronic?

 

[Chippie1]

What age Audi A1 are you looking at? Manual or S-Tronic?

It would be a manual and age would be what would come with in budget.
Anything from around a 2012-2015 seems to be about right

 

[Skyliner33]

It would be a manual and age would be what would come with in budget.
Anything from around a 2012-2015 seems to be about right

OK the only thing I would have said was regarding S-Tronic box. My brothers wife had one. 2014 reg. Just sold it, in the 15 years they had it only things were replacement front suspension arms (easier then just replace the bushes). It had a slight electrical fault on the air con (you could hear a relay clicking) and another common fault with Audis in general is that the doors can stop opening from the outside.

 

[Chippie1]

OK the only thing I would have said was regarding S-Tronic box. My brothers wife had one. 2014 reg. Just sold it, in the 15 years they had it only things were replacement front suspension arms (easier then just replace the bushes). It had a slight electrical fault on the air con (you could hear a relay clicking) and another common fault with Audis in general is that the doors can stop opening from the outside.

Great thanks for the heads up much appreciated

 

[Skyliner33]

Great thanks for the heads up much appreciated

Obviously not counting consumables like pads and discs.

 

[Paynewright]

I keep looking at 1.2tsi Fabia’s as a little runabout but alas too many vehicles already.

The other practical incognito runabout I keep looking at is the Honda Jazz. They have a reputation of being pensioner transport in the UK but in the USA, as the Honda Fit, they seem to have a cult following!

 

[dubber36]

Just be mindful that learner insurance isn't too bad, it's once they've passed it can get expensive.

Just to chip in on the S-Tronic point. Despite the current trend for Autos, I made sure our kids got manual licenses. I didn't want them hindered down the line if they needed to borrow/hire a car or van, or even go on to add more classes to their licences.

 

[Chippie1]

Just be mindful that learner insurance isn't too bad, it's once they've passed it can get expensive.

Just to chip in on the S-Tronic point. Despite the current trend for Autos, I made sure our kids got manual licenses. I didn't want them hindered down the line if they needed to borrow/hire a car or van, or even go on to add more classes to their licences.

Totally agree
Done my due diligence with insurance quotes
Quotes for a learner and for when she passes

 

[Macp]

Had several Polos, the last one a 1.2 triple was sold with 166,000mls and still pulling like a train. Would jump in that car and drive it anywhere. Had a Fabia 1.2 TSi and it was bloody good too. My brother has it now with over 100k and no issues. Loving our current Citigo 1.0 60hp but surprisingly nippy and cruises comfortably at motorway speeds. A cracking little engine the 999cc MPi