Limp mode during test drive - should i run away?

[locky]

Hi all,

Have been lurking the forum recently as have been looking into getting a FR 170 and thought i had found 'the one' yesterday. A 2010 model at a nice price with 16k on the clock.
Problem is, during the test drive a 'coil' warning light came on, car went limp and something like 'take to workshop' flashed up on the display.
Stopped the car, off / on with the ignition but the warning and limp returned shortly after pulling away.

Obviously i have seen a fair few threads about DPF problems and also the injectors - does this sound like one of those could be the problem?
I do plan to call Seat and ask about outstanding recalls as i understand the injectors should have been replaced.

Guy at the garage assures me it will be fully checked out and any problems will be sorted - im keen to learn what codes have been generated.
Guess my real question is, should i run a mile, or should i be kinda glad its getting a full scan and the problem fixed - so i will get it with a clean bill of health right?

Any pointers appreciated!

 

[andycupra]

if you have doubt walk away.
but if you are really kean then see what they report as the fault, if it really is a simple part that failed and its all sorted then perhaps with eyes wide open go back.
you should also raise your concerns and ask if they can provide an extended or comprehensive warranty.
Or perhaps an option to return the car if there is any niggles.

 

[The_Saint]

"Whenever there is any doubt, there is no doubt, that's the first thing they teach you"

 

[locky]

I'm unsure whether I should have doubts or not. The car is a beaut apart from this issue.
From what i have read, these cars will throw an error sooner or later, so I'm thinking maybe now is better. Will know more after the diagnostics tomorrow so will report back.

 

[chr1sd]

for me it would depend where your buying it from. If its a seat dealership and it comes with a manufacturers warranty, it would be less of an issue for me. i bought an approved audi A3 that broke down on the test drive with a failed fuel pump. It came with an audi warranty and it was all sorted anyway, didnt stop me buying the car.

However, in my experience with used cars, assume whatever they are telling you is complete b@ll@cks and then you cant be dissapointed lol.

 

[locky]

Thanks for the replies so far.

The car is at a Fiat main dealer, was a PX job as far as I know as the next port of call for it was the auctions, hence the slashed price. As for warranty I think before the drive when we were talking numbers, he mentioned an additional warranty could be bought, so I am assuming there isn't covered by one by as standard.

He did reassure me that as this happened during the test, it would be recorded, investigated, fixed and if anything cropped up in the immediate future, they would take it in again regardless of the lack of warranty.

I am keeping an open mind until I at least hear from the garage regards to what the problem/problems were. I certainly wont be accepting a 'we cleared it and its fine' line, I want to know exactly what the problem was so I can run it past the community here and make a more informed decision.

 

[kazand]

Thanks for the replies so far.

The car is at a Fiat main dealer, was a PX job as far as I know as the next port of call for it was the auctions, hence the slashed price. As for warranty I think before the drive when we were talking numbers, he mentioned an additional warranty could be bought, so I am assuming there isn't covered by one by as standard.

He did reassure me that as this happened during the test, it would be recorded, investigated, fixed and if anything cropped up in the immediate future, they would take it in again regardless of the lack of warranty.

I am keeping an open mind until I at least hear from the garage regards to what the problem/problems were. I certainly wont be accepting a 'we cleared it and its fine' line, I want to know exactly what the problem was so I can run it past the community here and make a more informed decision.

A Fiat dealer? Aren't they meant to be even worse than Seat's varied crew ?

 

[Ryan6926]

To be honest I'd walk away anyway. No offence intended to anyone but the MK2 Cupra's not exactly a rare car that's never for sale so with that being said I wouldn't suspect it'd be too difficult to source another and test drive one with no faults.

If a car's in Limp Mode then you can't test it properly anyway so for that reason I'd walk away

And finally what dealer sends a car out on a test drive with a car in Limp Mode?

 

[jmc1976]

any doubt in your mind then leave it well alone , that doubt would always be there if you bought it every time you thought you heard a noise , it would stop you enjoying the car .

 

[locky]

Have just spoken to a very helpful lady at UK Seat Customer Services.

She suspects from what I told her the amber coil light being on solidly indicates the 'second stage' of DPF issues. Meaning the first stage warning and the chance to do driver corrective action for a regen has now passed, and it is looking more like it would need a new one. Not heard back from the garage actually doing the diags yet.

She also confirmed this particular car has common rail injection which isnt subject to the injector recalls which also affect Mk2's.

And finally what dealer sends a car out on a test drive with a car in Limp Mode?

The fault developed during the test drive, not before.

 

[chr1sd]

Be careful with non seat warranties. I bought a Passat from a Toyota garage with 12 months warranty. As its wasn't a manufacturer approved car, the warranty was through TWG. Although the warranty wasn't a bad one, there is small print saying they only pay out for claims after a certain period has past from the point of sale. This was around 8 weeks on mine i believe. Its put in place to stop garages selling faulty cars and then getting them repaired FOC on the warranty.

The flywheel developed a vibration after 3 weeks on my passat, warranty company wouldn't pay as they said the fault was likely already there and it was within the 6 weeks so it was the dealers problem, and the dealer were not happy paying the bill. Had the threaten them with the sale of goods act etc.

 

[locky]

Here is the email update I just had from the vendor:

We’ve had the car checked and it’s the EGR valve that needs replacing, we’re arranging to get the vehicle across to SEAT to have this done by their trained Technicians. I’ll be in touch as soon as I have an ETA for the vehicle being back with us.

Any thoughts? Presumably SEAT will also run their own diag once they receive the car, so I should also be able to speak to them to find out details right?

 

[NickCupraR]

My brother just had his EGR valve replaced but his was the 1.6tdi engine, its a common problem across the VAG range and Seat estimated a £900 bill, he managed to get that down to £350 but still......... His was a 2010 Ibiza and only 5 months out of warranty.

On paper I would walk away, but it is completely different once you have seen it, driven it etc......... go with your head!

Oh his wasn't because the car had no re-gen either it just developed a fault I believe, the valve is tucked away at the back of the engine so its mostly labour!

 

[locky]

My brother just had his EGR valve replaced but his was the 1.6tdi engine, its a common problem across the VAG range and Seat estimated a £900 bill, he managed to get that down to £350 but still......... His was a 2010 Ibiza and only 5 months out of warranty.

On paper I would walk away, but it is completely different once you have seen it, driven it etc......... go with your head!

Thanks for the reply. I realise my initial Q was 'should I walk' so of course I appreciate everyone's input.

Any EML on a test drive is going to leave a bad taste in your mouth, but I am trying to look upon the positives here (with my head!):

1) The vendor garage have done what they said they would do, scanned and passed to SEAT dealer to complete the EGR work and let me know whats happening.

2) The car will surely have another full scan by SEAT before they do the work and therefore I can also check with them that everything else is how it should be.

3) SEAT UK customer line confirmed the car was never subject to the Injector issue (its later engine is common rail not PD) and no other o/s recalls.

Should there be anything else to fear just because the EGR need replacing? It sounds like a fairly common issue so really this incident (once resolved) should be providing me with reassurance the car is coming to me with a clean bill of health? Something you dont normally get prior to making the purchase.

Bit like getting a prospective girlfriend to have a STD test before the first date - you don't usually get that luxury

 

[chr1sd]

mate, do what you think is right for you. if you like the car and your happy with the warranty go for it At the end of the day, if anyone thinks for one second that a dealership only sell perfectly working vehicles, they are disillusioned.

There are several reasons why people part exchange cars with a garage. Some people fancy a new car, but i bet a high percentage are trying to get rid of a problem motor, or a car that needs too much work and they cant afford to keep it.

Next theres the dealerships. Are they in the business of selling perfect motors for small margins?? i think not. If they can get hold of a car cheap that has known issues or requires work then flog it with big margins to unsuspecting punters, they will!! Dont think for one second that main dealers are any different. they are all about profit regardless of what shite they spout to you in front of a sales desk.

I looked at 3 'Approved' Cupras in Seat Dealerships and had to drive a substantial distance for most. All of them were described to me as mint by the salesmen, only to find they were crap.

Ive seen brand new cars coming off transporters and getting paint repairs by local 'chipsaway' etc. Do you think the new owners were told about this??

I hate buying cars. finding the right one can be a nightmare and sifting through all the b@lls@t that salemen and dealerships tell you is worse.

As previously said, theres loads about. Being prepared to travel a bit will give you the best chance of finding a good one. Dont just settle for one because its local to you. I ended up doing a 400 mile round trip for mine, it wasnt perfect, but then it was £2000 cheap than similar cars.

 

[locky]

mate, do what you think is right for you. if you like the car and your happy with the warranty go for it At the end of the day, if anyone thinks for one second that a dealership only sell perfectly working vehicles, they are disillusioned.

There are several reasons why people part exchange cars with a garage. Some people fancy a new car, but i bet a high percentage are trying to get rid of a problem motor, or a car that needs too much work and they cant afford to keep it.

Next theres the dealerships. Are they in the business of selling perfect motors for small margins?? i think not. If they can get hold of a car cheap that has known issues or requires work then flog it with big margins to unsuspecting punters, they will!! Dont think for one second that main dealers are any different. they are all about profit regardless of what shite they spout to you in front of a sales desk.

I looked at 3 'Approved' Cupras in Seat Dealerships and had to drive a substantial distance for most. All of them were described to me as mint by the salesmen, only to find they were crap.

Ive seen brand new cars coming off transporters and getting paint repairs by local 'chipsaway' etc. Do you think the new owners were told about this??

I hate buying cars. finding the right one can be a nightmare and sifting through all the b@lls@t that salemen and dealerships tell you is worse.

As previously said, theres loads about. Being prepared to travel a bit will give you the best chance of finding a good one. Dont just settle for one because its local to you. I ended up doing a 400 mile round trip for mine, it wasnt perfect, but then it was £2000 cheap than similar cars.

For sure there are plenty more cars out there, i wasnt expecting one so local and location certainly isnt the main factor here. Travelled a fair few miles for a mint S2 rs turbo back in the day (when i had hair). Helped my dad find his Evo X at the other end of the country too lol.

Was actually above the price range i was using on 'trader and PH, but my missus found it scouring to see what was local.
I hadnt even settled on definitely wanting an FR before i went and saw it in the flesh, but there is something about it, and it certainly is a clean looking one, with 16k on clock and 11.5k pricetag seems decent compared to higher milers being at least a grand or two more.

The more i think about this, im thinking a known EGR problem showing its head and being fixed before purchase is actually a blessing in disguise. The SEAT dealership doing the work should be able to give me an unbiased appraisal of their scan results as they have no interest in the potential sale which is a different garage.

 

[kilner]

thers a reasson it was px at a fiat garage and not a seat dealer they wont have a clue what it is and egr system dont bring on limp mode

 

[locky]

thers a reasson it was px at a fiat garage and not a seat dealer they wont have a clue what it is and egr system dont bring on limp mode

Im hopeful the Seat garage doing the work will be able to shed some light on that, as i will check it out.

 

[Luz1978]

So how long is the warranty?
I think I would look at the paperwork from seat once it's fixed and then say you maybe interested but only if they throw in an extended warranty for free due to the test drive issue..
I have to admit 16000 seems low mileage and you think what could have gone wrong with driving 4000 miles a year?!
On the flip side I part exchanged a car recently because it was staring to cost too much to put right, and it had only done 38,000 in 7 years.

Have you looked at paperwork for last service, when was this?

 

[jmc1976]

I personally would walk away from it there is plenty others for sale out there