Any ideas regarding engine?

Mother Shaboobu · 28-02-2026 11:11PM #1

Hi folks, I am very ignorant beyond the basics/essentials when it comes to cars, so please bear that in mind if/when I type something stupid. 😊

My car is a Skoda Fabia, exactly 15 years old, just over 121,000 miles clocked. In the last few months I've noticed that it can struggle to get up to speed - changing gears can cause it to feel laboured, and it's as if things don't "mesh" smoothly upon said gear change. I have to floor it more than usual at times to gain momentum. Now it's not like I have to tear into it causing an extremely loud revving and smoke, to get any movement. It's far milder than that, but of course I worry it will get worse. And sometimes it doesn't happen (I don't have to drive much though) - could it be weather related? No warning light comes on, there's no smell. Of course it's an old car too but I love it!

almostover · 03-03-2026 09:41AM

Sounds like the clutch is slipping. Simple test for this, try to take off in 3rd or 4th gear. If the car doesn't stall and instead the revs shoot up then your clutch is finished. Should be a relatively cheap fix on a car like that at a decent independent garage. Maybe €200 for a decent quality clutch kit and another €300-400 in labour. Clutch should be good for another 120k miles then 😊