[Closed] WWSTW do? Would you buy a newish car that's failed MOT on emissions

There was a thread on this recently. Chances are that a combination of an oil-change, new air filter, some additive in the petrol and a good thrash will sort things out. If not, it won't pass and he won't be able to buy it regardless.

Yes.

After it’s been sorted and passed then it’s fine.

I wouldn’t be too worried tbh, 20k miles in 3 years aint that much, it’s probably done a lot of short journeys. As mentioned above, a service and a long enough run to get everything properly hot through will be enough to get it through.

Don’t read too many horror stories on the net, you can find those for ANY car.

’i had one of those, it broke down and cost loads to fix, it’s the last time im buying (insert a car brand here) again zomg!! Etc.

It may never have had an oil change?

You'll have recourse to return it to the dealer should any issues arise using the statutory rights under Consumer Rights Act  https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/the-second-hand-car-i-bought-has-a-problem-what-are-my-rights .  Although, after 6 months you'll have to prove something has been wrong all along.

You could ask for an extended 2 yr warranty from the dealer? Otherwise say you'll walk away, and be prepared to do so too

just off to see the dealer this afternoon with so v grateful for any hindsight.  Sounds promising though.  So if it clears the re-test there's likely to be no engine issues (ha) down the line?  Obv covered by a 12 month warranty, which makes me think that any poss issues from this would likely be detectable during that time 🤔

Probably just as BWD says but could possibly be something more serious. Cat failure and EGR valve and turbo problems (if it's TSI) could cause it to fail emission tests. Hopefully not on so young a car though.

Bear in mind too that "sorting it out" probably means giving it to the MaxPower-reading apprentice for an hour!

[i]johnners wrote:[/i]

<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;">Bear in mind too that “sorting it out” probably means giving it to the MaxPower-reading apprentice for an hour!</span>

Who will do exactly what you'd be advised to do on here if it was your own car.

You could ask for an extended 2 yr warranty from the dealer? Otherwise say you’ll walk away, and be prepared to do so too

If he still really wants it, then this. And get MOT'd early next time so faults are apparent well within warranty period.

Relies on dealer honouring warranty, and indeed still being in business if the time ever comes.

Is this the car's first MOT?  If not, were there any issues with the previous MOT?

An extended 2 year warranty is a good call for added peace of mind if you decide to purchase.

^ it is the car's first MOT.

Definitely ask for an extended warranty - a 12 month warranty will be no use if he owns it for 12 months, gets the MOT done and it fails again.

Is it worth it though? There's LOADS of Fabia 1.2s about that have no miles on as they're a popular car with old people. There'll be another.

It could be something as simple as a sensor giving a false reading. Let them sort it out and if they can't, BYE! Its too common a car to get hung up on one example.

20k miles in 3 years aint that much,

You’d be surprised at the number of 2-3 year old cars, mostly Motability cars, that I’ve picked up with less than 15k on the clock, even as low as 1500-2500 miles. Usually just needing a good valeting and polish, some have some dings on the corners, but at those milages, barely run-in!

I had an ex-Motability car, 35k in 15yrs!

Having said that, it sailed through the MOT...

Thanks STW.  Following fault-find/fix and MOT pass they've also offered to exchange it within 30 days if unhappy for any reason.  Also will honour warranty beyond the next MOT, actually advised as per andrewh .  So it's a goer.  He seems happy, but didnt pursue an extended warranty when sales bod passed that buck higher.  I'd have taken it to the next level if it was me. But hey, let's hopefully not watch this space and that this is a good result 👍🏼

Cynic mode on/

They probably just shoved the emissions testing probe up the exhaust of the car sat next to it in the mot bay

/cynic mode off

Did they say what caused the emissions fail?

Id be taking it for an mot somewhere else well within the 30 days they have said you can give it back within. Not that i dont trust car salesmen or anything.

Well worth an extra 50 quid just to be confident all is ok.

I'm reading this too late, but independent mot crossed my mind as well.

If its an ex motability car it'll need a good thrashing to clean the cobwebs out .

Is that the 1.2 yeti? Check under the plastic protector the oil sump.  My bil had one, gearbox ate itself...7k cost.  Just out of warranty skoda paid half.  Warning sign is oil spills underneath but hidden by tray.

I would have thought a  three year old car with 20k on the clock should not fail an MOT on emissions - especially a 1.2 petrol (lots of short journeys would make no difference.

I'd defo get an independent MOT in 3 weeks time.

I wouldn't tbh, and I've bought some pigs over the years.

The guy who services my car told me that there's a tougher MOT test coming soon (in May?).  He reckons testing stations are really busy with everybody trying to get cars through the current test rather than risking a failure under the new test.  Apparently, the emissions testing is going to be stricter, so if it passes now, it might still fail down the line...

I wouldn’t tbh, and I’ve bought some pigs over the years.

That sounds especially ominous?