Should this be on the 'technical matters' {Yep, so has been moved - DD}... I'm not sure... if so appologies but here we go anyway....
I've spoken to a chap about buying an 02 new shape fiesta 1.4LX (AC). Bear in mind that this chap is operating a tinpot used car business from his front room....
He has reduced the asking price from 3500 to 3k on the grounds that the airbag warning sensor/light is faulty. Now, he says that Ford will charge £94 to put right but he is not prepared to wait the 2 weeks waiting time hence reduction in price.
Any thoughts along the lines of actually an airbag sensor could cost hundreds?
thanks in advance.
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Walk away.
What if the sensor / light isn't faulty and the problem is with the airbag itself?
If you accepted the fault at the time you bought the car, you have to pay to get it fixed - it won't be covered by the warranty (assuming you get one) from the "dealer" who is selling it to you.
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Colin-E
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Sounds a classic case of a rebuilt write off but the airbag senser wasnt changed but the airbag/s was/ were
walk fast if he is reducing by £500 something has to be wrong..
oh and how many cars for sale in his front room?
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Sounds a classic case of a rebuilt write off but the airbag senser wasnt changed but the airbag/s was/ were walk fast if he is reducing by £500 something has to be wrong.. oh and how many cars for sale in his front room?
Three and a half ;0)
If the car is genuine, it may be a simple connection fault. There's a fairly common fault on the Mondeo where the airbag light flashes (4 times IIRC) which turns out to be the plug to the seat belt tensioners, which is under the seat (front passenger seat most common). When the seat has been pushed right back the connection is strained and comes slightly apart. Not sure if it's the same on the Fiesta but I'd check under the seats and wiggle/push the plugs together to see if that fixes it. If not, I'd walk away TBH, it could be expensive. The other option is to wait and let him get it fixed.
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I would be very careful. I don't know the mileage or condition but this is a cheap price for a new shape Fiesta, even if it is one of the first ones you can still pay that sort of money for one of the last old shape models.
As people have said this light is a classic sign of a possible budget crash repair where they have replaced the airbag but the sensor needs resetting - some dodgy types just unplug the bulb but it is an MOT failure if this is not working correctly.
I would look elsewhere - there are plenty of Fiestas or other car models around this price range. You can afford to pick and choose.
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some dodgy types just unplug the bulb but it is an MOT failure if this is not working correctly.
As airbags aren't part of the MOT test (yet), how can it be a failure?
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An 02 plate car & he is trying to sell it with a fault that he says is a very cheap fix.
The question is why hasnt he had the fault sorted before trying to sell the car?
Sounds dodgy like oldman said, walk away before you lose money.
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I think you have answered your own question:
"Bear in mind that this chap is operating a tinpot used car business from his front room....
He has reduced the asking price from 3500 to 3k on the grounds that the airbag warning sensor/light is faulty. Now, he says that Ford will charge £94 to put right but he is not prepared to wait the 2 weeks waiting time hence reduction in price."
£500 profit lost for a 2 week wait, when he's operating from a front room.!!!
Walk away. No redress if it goes pearshape: I assume you HAVE done a HPI check?
If you have none, and buy the car, you will deserve to lose your money as it could be 1. stolen, 2. crashed and stolen or 3. subject to outstanding finance..
madf
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>>There's a fairly common fault on the Mondeo where the airbag light flashes (4 times IIRC) which turns out to be the plug to the seat belt tensioners, >>
IIRC there are also switches in the seat belt buckles on the front seats, these can get dust etc in them causing the light to flash intermitently, a bit of silcone lub spray in each buckle may well solve it. Otherwise, assuming it has a passenger airbag there is sensor under the passenger seat squab, the system can get confused if this is playing up and the passenger seat belt is buckled.
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