Magnet

Hello Andy, I’ve distanced myself from this thread, but I’m sorry to hear that answers to date have not been of any help. I/we don’t know what your particular discipline is in in the sphere of Chartered Engineer, but to me, the logic seems to point that you went into purchasing this vehicle, in knowledge that it was burning oil, and it would be reasonable to expect that the seller would ‘under estimate’ the extent. I don’t like to assume anything, but we just hope that it was ‘bought cheap’. What I am unsure of, what was the extent of your knowledge on the issue before ( in caps) you bought it. If it was as you write now, then you entered into the purchase with your eyes wide open - unlike other poor unfortunates on this site - and if so, did you do so on the basis of placing your faith in sorting this out, via. the course of action you now intend to carryout? Would I be on the right line by now thinking that any contra opinion is seen as unhelpful, and what you were hoping for from here was ‘ Sounds a great idea Andy’. Now whether you are amenable to this suggestion, or not, but what would be great would be if you were to add to our knowledge bank, and actually try your procedure - and most important to others on here - report back on the subsequent figures regarding the reduction in the vehicle’s oil consumption. Would you be prepared to do that for us Andy? Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Mark, I guess there are lessons to have been learned from this:- If you are not competent to assess a vehicle’s condition, then always arrange an independent assessment before ( in caps) committing to purchase. Do not depend on MOT’s to represent the overall (in caps) condition of the vehicle. I hope your trust in allowing them to repair it is justified, and they are not going to use cheapest-available parts to repair it. Please let us know how you get on. Kind regards, Gareth.

What is trying to be said here Charlie is that it seems (in caps) that the alternator is at fault, but I would get an independent check on this before taking action. I fully agree with what Cliff is trying to reinforce - don’t assume the battery isn’t sub standard as well - until that has also been tested. If it were mine, I would investigate the route to getting your alternator repaired if found to be faulty. Kind regards, Gareth.

Welcome Charlie, Alway difficult to diagnose noises without access to the vehicle, but sounds typical of pinking, where the engine labours under acceleration. Try adding a few gallons of ‘Super’ grade (non- supermarket) fuel and let us know how you get on. Kind regards, Gareth.

Wondered if you have a budget limit on this Monika?

Any decision Peter?

Welcome Jim, It’s usually behind the plastic wheel arch liner on the side where you see the filler. Kind regards, Gareth.

What are your current thoughts Monika?

Welcome Monika, I think you first need to have it confirmed in writing that if you do this it will be acceptable to the ULEZ system monitoring. Perhaps you have already done this -? What will be the economics of doing this, and have you worked out the cost of buying (an unknown condition) engine and the labour charge involved - if as you say you can ( in caps) find someone who is prepared to do it? i.e. how many ULEZ free days is this going to cost you to get to a cost-neutral position? Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Sean, Let’s hope someone can help you on here. All I know is that the all important first document is a NOVA document which confirms all import duties have been paid. Then an MOT ( based on the VIN). It might be worth sending Fraser a PM, since he hasn’t returned to the forum for few years. Please let us know how you get on. Kind regards, Gareth.

That sounds as if you disbelieve them David! No doubt there will be others who share your belief, and you have decided to keep it. They say love is blind, let’s hope that doesn’t apply in this case. Have you read the ‘exclusions’ in your 3 year warranty? Kind regards, Gareth.

Why are you asking -5 years on? This is your first post, and you wade in with a question relating to an aged thread, without so much as an explanation why. It has been said that we are a friendly and helpful bunch on here, and I believe we are, but would you mind retracing your footsteps back to the last bus stop and give us a bit of background and an introduction. Many thanks, Gareth.

Thanks Mark, If it were mine:- (1) I would not return it to the same MOT station - they are highly likely to pass it again - perhaps with a backside- covering advisory. As said, I would chose a random local MOT station. (2) Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but would I have put my faith in the car’s total condition being assessed via a seller-chosen MOT and the seller’s word? No ( in caps). (3). Such MOT issues are drawn to the attention of VOSA and not DVLA. As an aside, I go back many decades, at the time I was selling a MK2 Cortina Estate. A potential buyer ( without having seen the car) arranged for an AA inspection. They came up with about half a dozen trivial conclusions on what was a nice vehicle, and understandably, he did not buy it - but someone else did shortly after. The point I make is that paid-for inspections can be a backside covering assessment, to prevent any ( in caps) come backs. Might be worth keeping this in mind, and the affair may turn out to be a storm in a tea cup. We can only offer advice to follow on the ‘if it were mine’ principle, and it’s obviously up to the poster to chose whether to follow it or reject it. Good luck with whatever you decide to do Mark, but please keep us up to date on progress. Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Mark, Why return the car to the original MOT station, rather than another (independent) one? Was the ‘independent inspection company’ assessment of the car carried out before you bought it or after? If after - why not before - it would have been far more meaningful. ‘Escalating to matter to DVLA’ why them, and what will be your discontent with them?

Many thanks indeed Andrew. It’s great that you have been prepared to share your experiences for the benefit of others. Oh, of course welcome, and please keep in touch. Many thanks and kind regards, Gareth.