Purchased car - poor condition!

[RS6]

do not be alarmed i have been to vauxhall for years with my corsa c

they are always picking out every single fault possible making it sound like a car from the scrapheap they have clearly no idea and are just trying to squeze big money from you

what you need to do is take to a tuning place like JKM in portsmouth or somewhere even a seat dealer if they are any good

where they can plug it in to a vagcom for fault codes and give you an honest opinion of what needs sorting and an overall inspection

NEVER go to vauxhall

 

[mikesndbs]

MIL=Maintenance indicator light....

(or probably in this context, Mother-In-Law... )

Oil in the spare wheel well will be a spare bottle stored in there that has leaked. I don't think anyone actually realises that 'store upright' is written on the bottle for a reason...

Those new front discs and pads sound about right from the looks of things, but they could all do with changing (or at least cleaning up). I agree with M0rk about the rears, either they're not contacting the disc properly, or they're just not getting used.

I'm leaning towards the 'get it fixed' rather than 'get the refund'...

Hi, well looks like that is what I have to do, am taking it back tomorrow and they will put it in for a MOT and fix everything! we shall see, I have lost a lot of trust in the brand and the seller to be honest.
Anyone, would have noticed some of these faults! as they claim to have carried out a service!

 

[mikesndbs]

do not be alarmed i have been to vauxhall for years with my corsa c

they are always picking out every single fault possible making it sound like a car from the scrapheap they have clearly no idea and are just trying to squeze big money from you

what you need to do is take to a tuning place like JKM in portsmouth or somewhere even a seat dealer if they are any good

where they can plug it in to a vagcom for fault codes and give you an honest opinion of what needs sorting and an overall inspection

NEVER go to vauxhall

Hi, good advice I am sure but this place is the approved Seat service centre to me!
After the sellers put the car right I'll be looking for a 2nd opinion anyway so may look into what you suggest.

 

[mikesndbs]

Hi



Finally a view under the rear, don't know what that wet is as its not been raining here?
Also, there seem to be three holes on the back axle?

Thanks

Mike

Not the mount for a towing hook is it? the three holes I mean, that would explain a lot

 

[mikesndbs]

Hi
Took the car back today and the sellers have told me not to worry, it will all be done (along with the new independent MOT) by the end of this week subject to parts being in stock.
OK I feel a little better about it all.
The drive was 38 miles across the Sussex countryside and despite the occasional clunk and ABS vibration I quite enjoyed the drive, got to say something for the car I guess

 

[Slimy]

Result!

 

[LEE69]

Sounds like your happier now, they are good cars.

 

[mikesndbs]

Sounds like your happier now, they are good cars.

Hi well I will be if its all sorted out LOL

I must say your one looks very smart! if all goes well with mine I am having it professionally detailed! that will give me a good place to start from

Cheers

 

[LEE69]

Thanks mike.
That is what mine needs a good detailing, might be soon as the weather is certainly picking up.

 

[mikesndbs]

Thanks mike.
That is what mine needs a good detailing, might be soon as the weather is certainly picking up.

I have always got all my stuff and advice here:
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/forum/index.php

Nice bunch of chaps there.

 

[mikesndbs]

HI

Not heard from the sellers yet but I have just looked up the MOT they put the car through today.
Here are the results:

Date of test:
13/04/2010
Certificate issue refused (Fail)

Odometer reading:
61,044 Miles
Test number:
XXXXX
Test station name:
XXXXXX
Test station number:
XXXXX
Test station telephone number:
XXXXXX
Test class:
IV
Reason(s) for refusal to issue Certificate

Nearside Front Brake disc(s) excessively scored (3.5.1h)

Offside Front Brake disc(s) excessively scored (3.5.1h)

Nearside Rear Brake disc(s) excessively scored (3.5.1h)

Offside Rear Brake disc(s) excessively scored (3.5.1h)

Nearside Front Brake back plate(s) securing device excessively deteriorated (3.5.1i)

Hazard warning switch faulty (1.5.A4c)

Advisory Notice issued

Oil leak

Track rob n/s boot split


Interestingly they have not picked up the broken central exhust mount or the knocking from the NSF or the Siderrin/undertray missing.

Seeing all these issues has me worried again just how much else is waiting to go wrong and why is a 5 year old car so shagged?

 

[m0rk]

Don't worry about the exhaust mount... it should 'fail' but my Leon passed the other month with it clear off.

Interesting they didn't spot the CV joint gaiter boot.

Discs & Pads all round, new Hazard switch & a fresh MOT & I'd say you've done alright there.

 

[mikesndbs]

Don't worry about the exhaust mount... it should 'fail' but my Leon passed the other month with it clear off.

Interesting they didn't spot the CV joint gaiter boot.

Discs & Pads all round, new Hazard switch & a fresh MOT & I'd say you've done alright there.

Well, that sounds good, I just rang the seller and said I had looked the MOT up, he had not been to pick the car up yet so I told him what it said and he says he will do all the work, and has ordered the disc's and pads already!

He says the other issues really are minor missing tray, brake disc guard and gaiters etc, he will do all them as well.
I guess if they do a good job then I will have done well.
Just gets me they sold me the car in this state in the first place.

One wonders how between Nov 09 and just 2000 miles such damage has occurred to the car? maybe the Sting brought it down from Dundee? LOL

Just to be sure I have a trading standards case up but not active, I don't want to 'P' of the seller if he is now being good!

 

[andycupra]

ive seen disks way worse than that get through an MOT. so a thorough mot it seems

undertray is not part of MOT so they have no reason to mention this.

Exhaust bracket.. often missed on MOTS as they tend to brake away and so are totally missing. So unless they have a knowledge of all mounts on all exhausts they can miss this is the exahaust isnt too loose.


CV boot they did notice but gave advisory.

It is a second hand car...

 

[m0rk]

Don't hold out for the plastic undertray, they fall off most cars eventually & cost about £160 to replace

Well done on getting them to do the right thing

 

[Slimy]

I'm very surprised they gave the CV boot as an advisory, didn't the Vauxhall report say it was leaking?

While I remember, the three holes in the rear beam appear to be mounting points for the internal anti roll bar. I'm not sure whether they're weld holes or something, but right behind them sits the fixing for the ARB that is inside the rear beam.

Or at least that's what it is on mine...

 

[rf860]

do not be alarmed i have been to vauxhall for years with my corsa c

they are always picking out every single fault possible making it sound like a car from the scrapheap they have clearly no idea and are just trying to squeze big money from you

what you need to do is take to a tuning place like JKM in portsmouth or somewhere even a seat dealer if they are any good

where they can plug it in to a vagcom for fault codes and give you an honest opinion of what needs sorting and an overall inspection

NEVER go to vauxhall

Agreed do not go to Vauxhall! Had a coolant leak in my old Astra and was told that all my hoses in the entire engine were 'weak' and needed urgent attension - their quote - £590!. Was devastated at the time lol. Finally took the car to independent and he said there was nothing wrong with any of the hoses apart from the obviously leaking one. Just goes to show what dealers try to get away with!

 

[Andrewcupra TDI]

seen them quote a new head gasket before now just because of a coolant leak

as for under tray , mines now dissapeared . wouldnt worry

clickin hazard , shouldnt they click anyway when active ?

did they do any work to it before putting through test again
you can glue the cv boot to pass (butchers job i know ) but been known in the past

as for abs kicking in that could be a wheel speed sensor , happened just after buying mine, and also happening again now

 

[Phillc]

While I remember, the three holes in the rear beam appear to be mounting points for the internal anti roll bar. I'm not sure whether they're weld holes or something, but right behind them sits the fixing for the ARB that is inside the rear beam.

The holes are for a damper type thing that fits on the rear sub frame and rests on the torsion bar that runs up the inside, it is a rubber type bracket, you can see on my photo the holes on the top which have nothing in them, of the bottom three, the bottom two(which are hidden on mine by the ARB) have bolts holding the damper bit in and the top one has nothing in it, looking at your photo the damper thing is missing, this may be due to a model difference mine being a petrol Cupra and yours being a diesel.

 

[mikesndbs]

The holes are for a damper type thing that fits on the rear sub frame and rests on the torsion bar that runs up the inside, it is a rubber type bracket, you can see on my photo the holes on the top which have nothing in them, of the bottom three, the bottom two(which are hidden on mine by the ARB) have bolts holding the damper bit in and the top one has nothing in it, looking at your photo the damper thing is missing, this may be due to a model difference mine being a petrol Cupra and yours being a diesel.

Hi and thanks for the replies! I have not been getting any 'new reply' emails so had assumed there had been no more activity here.
Anyway, mine is a petrol as well! there was another Leon at the garage yesterday and it to had the three holes but nothing in it, so maybe it is as you say model specific?

Anyway, I am pleased to report that I have my car back now and all the work has been done!
New discs all round, new pads as well, even got a new cam belt fitted!
They found that a past mechanic had forced a new front wheel bearing on damaging the abs sensor disc which was probably causing the error.
Its been replaced with new hub, wheel bearing and disc.
Oil leaks have been fixed as well.
and I have a new MOT cert, so all in all a fair result I think.
It cost the sellers a fair few £ as well.

But, I guess mistakes can happen and they have put everything right.

So now I can get to know my new car a bit and enjoy the drive.

One question, I'd like to get a bulb kit to carry with me, Halfords don't seem to carry them anymore, anyone know where I can get one?
Also, would be interested in LED side lights if they are legal.

Thanks all

Mike