Being based on the same floorpan as VW's Polo means the Fabia is solidly engineered and a safe drive - even if it isn't especially entertaining. That's with the exception of the brilliant diesel-powered vRS, which is more fun than a Mini and rather more economical. While the Fabia is generally reliable, there are lots of potential faults, some of which can be pricey to put right, so check carefully before handing over any cash.