Skoda Favorit Review (1989 to 1995)

Quick Summary

Buy carefully and this Czech mate could leave you with the last laugh.

Overall:

Models Covered:Hatchback, estate, 1.3, 1.3i [Forum, Forum Plus, 136L, 136LX, 136LS, LX, LX Plus, GLX]

CZECH MATE

If budget is everything in your search for a family hatchback, then it's to Eastern Europe that you must turn. Which needn't necessarily be a bad thing thanks to Skoda. The Favorit was the Czech maker's first modern era model and became a value for money family hatch known to be economical both to run and to insure.Volkswagen purchased Skoda virtually lock, stock and barrel in the middle of the Favorit's life and the Wolfsburg influence immediately worked wonders. While the build quality of early examples is patchy, the later cars are underrated and superb second-hand value.
Used Skoda Favorit for sale

History of the Favorit

The Favorit was the last of the home-grown Skodas. The Bertone-designed shape was launched in 1989 as a single body style – five-door hatch – and featured a single 1289cc 54bhp engine. Forum, Forum Plus, 136 L, 136 LX and 136 LS trim levels were offered. An estate version was launched in June 1992.In 1993, fuel injected 67bhp versions (designated 'E' on the bootlid) were launched with LX, LX Plus and GLX trim. By this time, thanks to the VW take-over, the build quality of a Favorit wasn't, in theory, very much different to that of a Golf. The cabin featured VW switchgear as well as in-vogue features like catalytic converters with fuel injection and side-impact door protection bars on every model.In 1995, the Favorit was replaced with the mechanically similar Felicia range.
Used Skoda Favorit for sale

Skoda Favorit Road Test

You won't buy a Favorit if you're a driving enthusiast. This was the first front wheel drive Skoda, so its handling is dependable however, and better than other Eastern European offerings.The Czech 1.3-litre engine is a rather noisy but willing. Try and stretch to the fuel injected version. So powered, the Favorit has what Skoda describes as 'smoother yet crisper performance'. Top speed increases to 93mph, while rest to sixty takes 15.0s, a reduction of two seconds. Just as importantly, fuel consumption benefits by 5% at a steady 56mph. Which means that hatchback models should achieve 35.3mpg around town and 51.4mpg at a steady 56mph.
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Buying a Skoda Favorit

As already mentioned, watch out for inconsistent build quality on earlier cars. Avoid high-mileage examples or badly looked after cars – it's just not worth it. Some gearboxes are rather sloppy. Watch out for loose bits of trim. Go for the higher spec GLX cars; they're not much pricier than the very basic lead-in examples. Don't bother asking for power steering; it was never offered.The special edition Silverline and Blackline variants that appeared from 1993 onwards were well specified, looked good (with smoked tail light lenses and clear indicator repeaters). They're worth around £150 more than a standard GLX.
Used Skoda Favorit for sale

Skoda Favorit Typical Pricing

Don't buy an early Favorit unless you have to because build quality wasn't perfect on the first examples. Try to go for the later cars (£200-£900) where the VW influence is obvious (note the Golf switchgear).
Used Skoda Favorit for sale

Skoda Favorit Parts

(approx based on a Favorit 1.3 LS) An exhaust system (without catalyst) is about £150. A clutch assembly will be around £75 and front and rear brake pads are just under £35 and £40 respectively. An alternator should be close to £75 and a radiator around £105.A front wing is about £50. A new tail lamp would cost just under £40 and a replacement headlamp close to £60. A windscreen should be in the region of £125. Routine services cost about £110.
Used Skoda Favorit for sale