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2011 1.2 tsi's were still being fitted with chocolate camchains, more correctly a poor design. Check if its been changed under warranty or otherwise. Really important for these engines to have regular oil changes less than 10,000 miles and less than a year apart. Also steering rods were an issue, but maybe on later cars.
You reallly need to test drive. You must witness a start from cold, stood for several hours state. If it rattles or make a horrible racket for a few seconds before quietening down, it needs the latest 2013 chain kit fitted 03F198158B (includes chain 03F109158G) Those B and G letters are really important. .Approx £800 fitted, maybe more. Quote TPI document no 2037419/11 from 2016.03.30 if theres any arguement.
Sometimes people put thicker oil in to disguise/hide the problem, but if its ignored, eventually the chain jumps off and trashes the engine, so this is really important. It may not make the noise on the day of test, especialy if someone started it briefly before you came, to prime the hydraulic tensioner.
At standstill, with engine on, move the steering slowly lock to lock several times and check for stickiness and judderring noises. If so it needs the steering rods replaced (these were a common warranty issue, but my dealer took 4 sets before they got it right) supposedly £400
Oh and the rear brake drums have by that age an annoying habit of sticking on when parked up for more than a day or two and its been raining, due mostly to the fact that many dealers never strip the drum off and clean them during servicing. They can be very difficult to unstick, involves lots of throttle and a big bang when they release, often shooting forward or backwards in the process, which is a problem if you are parked in a tight place without room forward and backward. If it has rear discs you will be ok.
Unless already changed, expect no 3 plug lead to fail, often taking the ignition coil with it £360 (ouch!}. This ignition lead sits on the exhaust shield and fails due to being baked. Later leads are fitted in plasic ribbed trunking (called Marten protection in a bid by vag to pretend their design is not an issue).
You need to check the servicing record carefully and whether its genuine. If its been on extended/variable servicing (upto 18,000 miles/2years) I would not entertain it as the mileage its covered is too low so its likely been a town shopper with lots of cold starts and short runs. That needs the traditional fixed service regime.
You need a written assurance on the above issues and 6 months warranty that specifically covers these issues.
All second hand cars should be inspected and checked by someone who is knowledgeable before purchase unless you have a no quibble money back guarantee thats genuine.
Btw fabia SE does not have an autodimmng rear view mirror nor is it an option.
Otherwise potentially a nice car.
Edited by brum on 27/08/2017 at 13:45
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