Skoda Fabia Engine Overheating

Engine overheating is never a good sign! It sounds like you've already done some good preliminary checks. I had a similar issue with my old Renault Megane, although the symptoms weren't exactly the same. In my case, the car wasn't overheating, but the temperature gauge was all over the place, and the heater would blow cold air intermittently. It turned out to be a faulty temperature sensor. Before replacing the thermostat, have you checked the temperature sensor? A faulty sensor can sometimes give misleading information to the ECU, causing it to behave erratically.

That's an interesting point about the temperature sensor. I hadn't considered that as a potential cause. Where is the temperature sensor located, and is it something I could potentially check myself before resorting to replacing the thermostat? Is it easy to replace?

Regarding the temperature sensor, on my Renault, it was located near the thermostat housing, but I'm not sure about the Skoda. It's usually a small sensor with a wire connector. While you could try checking the connection and wiring for any obvious damage, diagnosing it properly often requires specialized tools. Given your mention of a 'defective map thermostat' as the likely cause, and the overheating, it's probably best to have a workshop confirm the diagnosis. Overheating can cause serious engine damage, so it's not something to ignore. The garage should check the temperature sensor as well to be sure.

I wanted to share the resolution to the overheating issue with my Skoda Fabia. Following your advice, I took it to a workshop, and they confirmed it was indeed the map thermostat. The total repair cost came to approximately 350€. Thank you for your valuable insights and guidance! It's reassuring to know there are people willing to share their knowledge and experience.