November 2013

TheDoc

Hi guys,

I'm looking to buy an A3 but sadly my budget is not all that much - £4k - £5k. I've done some looing on all the classified ad sites and come across two that have really tickled my

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20130928901...p - This one has a lot of miles (123k) but it looks the business and seems to have full service

www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/bargain-200...t - this one looks nice and seems pretty cheap, but I'm not sure if it's got service history

I'm a bit of a newbie when it comes to buying cars so could you give me an opinion on those cars and what I should be looking for?

I've emailed both of the above, asking what work the car has had done (I.e Cambelt changed) what else should I be asking?

Many thanks
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Chris79

Well you must take things as you find them. If I had a 1300 bill I wouldn't be to happy. That said I'm an intrigued. If you ran diesels for 10 years doing significant mileage and then wiped out your savings on fuel with a 1300 bill you can't have been getting very good mpg. What do you estimate the focus was giving you?

I think the issue with diesels in some cases is they have been mis sold. People get hooked up on the tax issue and perceived economy. The salesman is only to happy to sell you a car that costs more initially than a petrol and then we end up with people driving diesels round on the school run and crying when the dpf chokes up.

mcandrew92

please help ! i bought a second hand ford focus ST 2.5 2006 plate from a ford dealer last week , it only has 61kmiles , just had a full major service, how ever yesterday i got in my car started it ... let it warm up for about 5-10 mins , drove about 1-1.5 mile (normal driving not putting my foot down) i parked up and let it cool down for 2 minutes and removed key , got out my car and locked it as normal, after half an hour i returned to my car , unlocked , opened , started to see ENGINE SYSTEM FAULT & ACCELERATION REDUCED however there is not lights on the dash board it just says that message where my mileage is ? the AA have come out and cant read any fault codes because there is no engine management light on nor MIL (malfuction indication light) the car starts fine and DOES drive however it is in limp mode ? PLEASE HELP !!!!!!!! THANKS

jordan Read more

FP

"But I expect you never make an error, you must be absolutely perfect in every respect and all your posts contain invaluable info."

I have never said nor implied any of those things. And why suddenly switch the argument into a personal attack?...

Cloudane

Hi all

I have the infamous speedometer problem on my 2002 1.6 Ford Focus. Speedo drops to 0, engine gets a little "jumpy" etc.... Read more

jonk1

I have the same problems too, but when my speedo drops to zero my radio also goes quieter did yours do this as well??

Juddster

Touting this problem out there in the hope someone can throw some light on this long and sorry saga.

Many thanks.... Read more

galileo

He's had it since 2013 so may have found that out already.

Sunman

My Jan 2010 Tiguan suddenly lost all engine power (scary) and had to be towed by RAC to VW service dealer. Outcome was that the v-belt had partly "shredded" and a length of severed belt had whipped the cambelt, and knocked the timing out. Result - irreperable damage to the engine, and turbo charger also found faulty. This required a new engine and turbo charger at a cool £7200 !!

The vehicle had done 55,000 miles, been serviced only by VW franchise dealer, and belts had been ticked ok in the multipoint check just three weeks previously. Dealer reports this as a freak occurrance, and theorises that a small stone must have caught in the pulley, to cause the v belt to shred.... Read more

corax

Thank goodness for a good old boy with working knoweldge of todays so called advances in mechaical design , who in their right mind would design a camshaft with interference fit lobes

The same manufacturer that put an interference fit oil pump drive shaft on their PD diesels, and look what happened to them....

ravskin

Sorry for asking for help on my first post, but i'm in a bit of a fix.

Van was running fine, pulled up turn it off and when i went to restart it - nothing.... Read more

sneekyparrot

No Peter, connecting jump leads makes no difference. Basically you turn ignition on but when you go to start it does nothing, no attempt at engaging starter.

Bump start no problem....

meltonlad

now that the new M.O.T rules are in force has anybody had any problems with having HID's fitted and failing the m.o.t because of them ?

I read up about the new rule about car's having non standard hid's fitted and that would result in a fail unless also fitted with headlight washer's and auto levellers. my car is fitted with a 6000k H7R kit and i've been told that being the H7R that it doesnt mess with the light pattern as much as it would if it was the H7 ! ... Read more

coopshere

Agreed Hamsafar. We have EU and UK regulations coming thick and fast but once they have passed Type Approval little is done to enforce them DPFs. Is a typical example.

bulwellcitroen

Hi everyone, I have recently bought a Xsara Picasso 1.6 hdi on 54 plate with 48000 miles. It drove well on test and on pick-up but thinking back the seller ( a very nice man in Pudsey) was not at home both times and arrived full of apologies in a warmed-up car which I bought, It is a nice car but will not accelerate above 40 mph, especially uphill. Strangely, it accelerates best with very slight pressure on the accelerator pedal. Flooring it does nothing. It's a nice car overall and I am very frustrated at the lack of performance. Your majestic knowledge will be much appreciated. Thanks, Keith. Read more

Sir Lancelot

Join this site of Picasso owners, give them the story so far. Tell them as much as possible.

There is a microswitch behind either the clutch or brake pedal (I can't remember which). If it becomes dislodged you can get the same results. It may just be loose and cause intermiitent problems....

SimonDe

Hi,

I've got a 2006 Ford Focus and the drivers side dipped beam has stopped working. I've changed the bulb and the fuse but still no luck. I was thinking it could be the relay but if it was would that not affect both sides? I might try swapping it with the full beam relay later to see if that one works. I do have a multi meter but have never really used it on car electics before so any help with that much appreciated!... Read more

MrEckerslikefromRamsbottom

Yes-- Halogen bulbs can go 'intermittent' as they fail. I've had two like that.

cs1984

Hi I have recently had my van sserviced and now have no radio it is asking for a code but I can't find it anywhere I think the s/n is V033267 but not 100% sure.

Many thanks in advance of any help. Read more

Gavgo

If you need ford v radio codes from a trusted website go here > www.onlineradiocodes.co.uk/ford-v-radio-codes