Emmisions concern, looking at used 2.0tdi

[Bocky]

Hi all,

New round here. Been looking at A3 TDI Qauttros recently, specifically the 2.0TDI 170. I'm hoping to spend no more than 5k on the car (given the current used car market this may not be enough for a sensible car and mileage). 

Howecer, I've found one listed for 4k that fits the bill based off of pictures, but I've been looking through the MOT history and in 2021, it failed with this;

Exhaust emissions exceed level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine (8.2.2.2 (b))

Then passed on its retest, now it could be that I'm being too sceptical and it has been repaired properly and I don't need to worry, however the fact the cars up for sale having failed recently on emissions doesn't sound too good to me. 

I'm just wondering if anyone with more knowledge of these engines could provide some insight into what could cause this. And perhaps how serious of an issue it really is. 

I know I haven't really given much to go off of at the moment, but with no real knowledge of these cars or engines specifically, I wouldn't really know what to expect. 

 

By the way, the car failed that MOT with 88k miles and currently has 92k on the clock. With an MOT due to expire in June.

[Magnet]

Hello Harry,

Thanks for being in touch with the forum. 
To try to minimise over thinking this, is it really wise to spend your hard earned on any car which only has a couple to three months MOT?? 
Why not ask the seller (private or trade?) to get the car re - MOT’d if you have an interest in it. Genuine sellers should not be too averse to this - let’s say, if you were prepared to fund the test cost.

Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[cliffcoggin]

I too am a little suspicious so I agree with Gareth that it would be reasonable to ask the seller to retest the car, even if it is at your expense.

Generally the 2 litre diesel should easily last in excess of 100000 miles, even 150000 with care, but it depends how hard it has been driven and how well it has been maintained. Am I being cynical in suggesting that because Quattros have an image born of rally success it must be tempting for drivers to emulate that style of driving?

[Bocky]

Thanks for the replies, I see exactly where you're both coming from.

I think best thing to do for now is to conact the seller and ask as many questions as I can and will certainly ask if he'll put an MOT on it. Even if at my cost. 

Any more specific questions you think it might be worth asking regarding that MOT failure?

 

Cheers,

Harry

 

[cliffcoggin]

I would want to see the service history to find out what was done after the MOT failure to correct the problem.

That history should also show whether the cambelt was changed a few thousand miles ago. If not I would walk away from sale because it will cost over £700 to get it done, and it does need to be done.

[Bocky]

Cam belt was done at 55k, so a good while ago. With regards to the repair, definitely something I'd look for if I do decide to go have a look at the car. 

The seller says he would be able to get a MOT on it if I was to buy it

 

Thanks again,

Harry

[cliffcoggin]

1 hour ago, Bocky said:

The seller says he would be able to get a MOT on it if I was to buy it

 

Such words are cheap. Let him him put his money where his mouth is and have it tested first.

[Bocky]

Ye I suppose, feel a bit guilty asking him to sort an mot before I've seen the car, and could well not buy it afterwards 

[Magnet]

Hello Harry,

A 3 month MOT will be an off put for many people, so the request to have it re MoT’d would not be unreasonable, unless the price is reduced accordingly. Cliff raises a good point about the servicing records of this car, and it would be important to establish what it has in evidence of maintenance and repair. 
How far from you is this car? Can you view it, and decide whether it is attractive to you subject to a reasonable inspection and re Mot? 
Not being personal, but can you afford to gamble c£4? 
If not, view the car, and be aware that you ‘buy into’ your gut feeling about the seller - ‘nice cars should be bought from nice people over a nice cup of tea’. If after doing your homework, everything stacks up, then invest a couple of hundred pounds in a professional inspection before purchase. 
How long has current owner owned it? Private or trade seller? - as asked. 
Cambelt renewed:-  OK 37k ago, but what year was that done, and is there a receipt from a VAT registered garage. The belt should ideally be renewed every 5 years. 
Kind regards,

Gareth.
Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[Bocky]

Hi Gareth,

Totally agree with finding out what I can from the service records.

I live about an hours drive from the car, and should be able to arrange viewing no problem. 

Ye, 4k is a lot of money, especially for something that could turn out to be a lemon. 

I like the statement about nice cars, going to steal that 😁

Sorry, Its a private sale although I don't think he has owned the car for long at all, after asking about the mot fail in 2021, he said this was before his ownership. 

In terms of specifics regarding the cam belt, I couldn't tell you, the chap doesn't seem too keen to give out much information.

 

Thanks,

Harry

[Magnet]

Hello Harry,

Not for me to influence what you do about this, but all I can say is that if I was in the market for such a car, then I would cross this one off my interested- list. 
Good luck with your quest. 
Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[Bocky]

I wouldn't blame you for that, I was thinking the same, it all just seems a bit off. 

Thanks again for your help, but I think I will be striking this one off. 

Out of interest do you think £4-5k is a fair amount of money to spend on such a car. I've had a few people say these cars aren't worth 5k, but I'm struggling to find anything sensible for much less. Pressume its all down to the increased demand for used car due to the chip shortage or whatever. 

But be interested to know your thoughts

 

Thanks again,

Harry

 

[Magnet]

As Cliff raised earlier - do you really need a Quattro Harry? 
My aim has alway been:- select the model (shape) which appeals to your looks and requirements. Then look for the best example which falls into that category.  Trade off toys etc. as necessary to find the best example with the best pedigree that ticks as many boxes as possible, but do not pass over examples which don’t tick all or most of the boxes. You are buying a secondhand car at a fraction of its original costs, so ticking all the boxes and being in prime condition is a very vey tall order. 
Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[Bocky]

Fully agree, and trading off qauttro would definitely bring the price down, however travelling down farm lanes that are often covered in mud, etc, and snow in the winter the Qauttro seemed a useful feature for me. Especially with the fact they never seem to grit the roads around my area in winter.

Definatly not expecting to find a perfect car for my money, but wouldn't like to have to be spending money almost immediately after purchasing it. 

[Magnet]

Hello Harry, 

I fully understand your desire to have a Quattro, and pardon my cynicism, but I wonder if you are just trying to justify your desire. OK, snow ice and mud, but in reality for how many days in comparison with the number of fine days in the year? Please pardon my direct opinion, but if you add on the possibility/probability that a Quattro will have been driven ‘more enthusiastically’ - again being polite! is a Quattro a realistic would like to have? 
I would repeat, Harry - if I were in your position, I would not be buying anything without paying for a professional inspection before purchase. 
Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[Bocky]

I see exactly where your coming from, I'll have to have a think and see what's available, hopefully I'll find something eventually.

Thanks again for your help, 

 

Regards,

Harry