Buying used car with known fault declared by the selling trader

[Smiley]

The older VAG 1.9 diesel engine was a gem but the newer 2.0 can be terrible.
I have heard of relatively low mileage well maintained 2.0 tdi engines have expensive problems that even main dealers can't fix.
Best avoided imho

 

[Stratman]

Just looked at the Autotrader reviews

...........

Car or dealer?

 

[Spider10]

The older VAG 1.9 diesel engine was a gem but the newer 2.0 can be terrible.
I have heard of relatively low mileage well maintained 2.0 tdi engines have expensive problems that even main dealers can't fix.
Best avoided imho

The old 1 is 1.9 PD they go forever
The 2.0L CR has problems but mainly oil pick up from the sump not had any hot start issue's

 

[Smiley]

I agree the oil pump drive design is awful on the 2.0.
I know of two owners who sold their cars because of starting issues that even main dealers could not fix. One main dealer suggested replacing the injectors for a four figure sum but could not guarantee that it would fix the car. They p/x'd the car with the fault declared. Then had a phone call a month later from the new owner asking if they knew what the problem was!

 

[SpikyMikey]

A quick Google of VW 2.0 TDi hot satrt problems give a litany of issues, ranging from starter motors to crank position sensors to coolant sensors to replacement timing belts being incorrectly fitted.

 

[Will]

We had a 2.0TDI VW at work some years back (2006) - which we ran for several years. Was a great car at the time but one day broke down with an injector fault - repaired by VW.

Then some years later, it had a starting issue. Would crank over and not fire up. Worse when it had been left for a while - eg Monday morning after the weekend etc. I’m no expert on diesels but I suspected it was a fuel pressure type issue (it also had a slight whiff of diesel around the engine bay, and seemed worse if parked uphill).

Anyway, went back to the main VW dealer several times over the next few months. They tried crank and cam sensors, lots of other bits and pieces, no one could get to the bottom of it. Then a few weeks later the cam belt went. Sabotage by a frustrated mechanic? (the belt has already been replaced on schedule). No idea but that was the end of that.

If this was a simple fix I’m 95% sure the garage would have done it - and as you’ve notice their reviews don’t look encouraging

 

[alabbasi]

Hello fellow Merc forumites,

A random and possibly stupid question from me.

I've seen a car I fancy on Autotrader, but it is listed in the detailed description as having a hot starting issue.

Anyway, technical issues aside, what's the impact of this on the 14/30 day no quibble consumer right of return or trade seller to rectify faults within 6 months?

I'm obviously asking because it's a bit cheaper (only £1k) less than an allegedly fault free example. It's a nicer colour too IMO (metallic grey instead of the no-fault silvery-gold example).

I think that you're trying to have your cake and eat it. If you don't want to take the risk, spend the money and buy a certified used car. The seller is not pretending the car is trouble free and neither should you.

 

[fabes]

Just looked at the Autotrader reviews

AVOID!

Problem solved

Thanks for everyone's input anyway.

Probably best........

 

[robparker]

I enjoy buying a car with a fault(s) and sorting them. But you have to be able to do it yourself to make it worthwhile, and accept that sometimes you'll lose out abit.

 

[uumode]

Agree with some others here, if it is an easy fix, the trade seller would have fixed it.
Or maybe because of parts shortage the part isn't available, with long lead times e.g. 9 months - bit like the Nox sensors or some simple parts like wing mirrors.