2006 audi a3 sline special edition 2.0 fsi (FC/p2261&p0087)

[Highforce]

Hi all,

Just bought at a3, test drove it for 20minutes had no issues. On the motorway home its lost power. Got it put on the diagnostics and its came back with these faults (p2661 & p0087) The guy who tested it is saying the ecu remap is the reason why its showing these faults. However the map was done in 2017. The car comes with extensive service history with all OEM parts done. Time belt was done 10k ago. Quattro last year. Sitting on 140k miles. When ive done my research its looking like fuel pump, filter, cam follower etc. like a idiot i never opened the oil cap… to which its abit milky. Ive got it booked in for a oil and filter change friday. But worrying ive been had by the seller and it could be the cam follower. When i phoned him he said it may show low boost…. Which it is but he said that due to the remap. He gave me 100 back but now im feeling supper p:@/ed. What do you guys think? Do i have to go pop some windows 😂😂

Edited February 28 by Highforce
Spelling

[Steve Q]

I'm assuming you bought it privately in which case there's not much come back. You could try small claims court. Please keep us posted on how you get on. 

[Highforce]

Just two sorry.its the first two you said

Edited February 28 by Highforce

[Highforce]

@Steve Q just checked on paper work said sold as seen so completley screwed

[Highforce]

@jasonj

i paid via direct bank transfer and a 100 paypal deposit which he refunded. 
 

ive got a receipt with his address etc and a tiny box thats been ticked prior by him that says sold as seen. 
 

it was advertised on auto trader not a mention about faults. Ad now removed. Ive got email and text trails as I dont like talking business over the phone. For reasons like this. Other then when i was driving and the fault first developed and he mentioned it will show low boost due to the map…

 

he owned it for around 8 years from what he told me. 
 

thanks 

[Highforce]

Oh only thing was it was a cat n but a repair has been done but not to the standard which the photos made it look like. 
 

when i bought the car I came straight from the airport after a 8hpur flight. Which was a big mistake 

[Highforce]

@jasonj thank as i thought this would be the route i have to go down. 
 

I wont touch his windows 😂😂

[Highforce]

Thanks overall im hoping he will just pay to get it sorted. As i really do like the car and wanted on for ages. But if not its small claims court a go. 
 

thanks for such great advice. Especially as this is my first time posting. 

[Highforce]

Ahaha yeah it was a ecu remap… but that was done in 2017. But guess that could be the issue. I had planned to take it to a rolling road company for 300 and get it done properly. But now no point with the issues its got. 
 

its booked in for a oil change on friday im going to just ask them to spend an hour on it to see if they can find the issue. 
 

if he does not respond etc. and i have to go down small claims. Am i best leaving the car as is or getting it repaired. I sunk the last of my savings into it. So ideally need a running car if im just gonna be waitting for the claim?

[Highforce]

Im handy with cars fitting etc just not fault finding 

[Highforce]

Thanks will do this at the weekend. These have a hpfp right? As im sure this is the same engine as my old eos 2.0 petrol. Which i sold as fuel pump went and was a issue to get sorted after i changed it

[Magnet]

Hello Jay,

Sorry to hear of your issue. 
Simple things first:- was the car advertised as a Cat. N, and/or were you made aware of that before you purchased it? 
Re. faults:- can you recall the wording of the advert, and did it refer to the car’s condition in any respect? If it did, then even as a private seller, the claims made in the advert must be correct. This is why you will find some adverts simply stating ‘ Starts, stops, drives’. 
Small Claims Court may be an avenue, but beware, you will have to spend out on an engineer’s report on the vehicle, along with the court fee. The court is likely to want the engineer in attendance - for which you will have to pay, but will be able to seek reimbursement if found in your favour. Final pessimistic point is that the seller may not pay even if your case is proved. 
To try to keep this simple:- carefully read the advert and decide (irrespective of the faults you have) - does the vehicle meet the claims made in the advert ( if any)? 
Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[Highforce]

@jasonjAh that makes sense as the code you mentioned was the one that coul not be removed on my eos. Just double checked previous report for it. 

 

@Magnet no where on the ad did mention any driving issues etc. Just said mot is due and listed all the mods done to it and servicing etc. No issue's what so ever. Apart from cat n which he said was reppaired and had been hwoever the photos showed it looking fine and on arrival I could see the dent in the boot lid visable

 

He has not replyed so gonna look into getting a engineers report could this be from my local mot reg garage or does it have to be a specialist. 

 

Thank you both

[cliffcoggin]

John.

You have not mentioned how much you paid for the car, but I doubt it was a lot considering its age and mileage, in which case I fear it will cost you more in money and time to get recompense than the car is worth. I suggest you swallow the bitter pill and accept that you have been conned, then move on to either repairing or replacing the car.

[Highforce]

Car cost me 1650 all in for a ulez compliant car etc was a olay deal. Ive sent him a text outlining the above but i will send him what i wrote in the text in a formal letter. I will also mention the map etc so far i said. 
 

Hi “”””

Ive had the car on the obd and its throwing up 2 faults one quite major. (P2261 and p0087) the latter being the worst. I have spoke with my mechanic who has confirmed it will potentially need major works doing and you would of known prior to selling it. Im looking at anywhere between £500/1.2k just to sort the issues out. 

Due to the car not being as advertised I request a full refund and I will return the car.  In total i paid £1650 plus 100 via paypal (which the refund is currently pending). 

I have screenshots of the advert and also auto trader will have a copy of it. Where not once does it mention any issues with the car. I also have all conversations between us. 
I ask for a full refund of the £1650 on return of the car. 
If this is not something you will agree on I will start the proccess of pursing this in small claims court.

Kind regards

Followed with a further text:

 

I ask for a response within 3 working days from 28/02/2024. Regards 

[Magnet]

Hello Jay,

I think you are missing the all important point that he doesn’t have to tell you what is wrong with the car - it is up to you to assess the vehicle before you buy it. 
Now if he uses phrases such as ‘good condition’, ‘drives beautifully’ etc. then the vehicle must meet those descriptions. If his description is non-specific then the court is quite likely to simply judge its condition against that description. 

If you show us a copy of the advert then I’m sure it will be possible to advise how sound your claim will be. 
Regrettably, your written contact with him mentioning fault codes etc. dilutes your case by inferring you are ‘….handy with cars…’ which is what you have said, so you should be more capable than most of assessing what you were buying. 
I know this isn’t what you want to hear, but Clifford’s advice maybe worth a coat of thinking about, and you may end up with expenditure on reports etc. which may just result in  more hassle than the worth of the outcome. 
 

Just send us a copy of the advert description Jay and we will then have a far better idea of what you are up against, and things maybe much brighter than my pessimistic view. 
Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[Highforce]

@Magnet

The ad was as follows:

Make
Audi
Model
A3
Registration
Advert Price
1,895
First Registration Month
2006-06
Insurance Writeoff Category
N
Odometer Reading Miles
139,000
Seller Type
PRIVATE
Advert Text
Owned since 2016, this HUGE RARE spec well maintained Audi A3 in Lava Grey Colour with ECU Stage 1 Remap by Celtic Tuning producing 261BHP. This car has Cruise Control, Mutli-function steering wheel, Auto Headlights, Auto wipers (Rain Sensor), Heated Front Seats, Electric Folding Mirrors, Auto Dimming Rear View Mirror, Auto Dimming Wing Mirrors, H.I.D Headlights, Clifford Alarm, H&R Suspension. The Quattro was serviced in Sept 2021, Timing Belt & Water Pump & Fan Belt was changed in April 2023 and a Full Service in November 2023. MOT due 24/04/24. The bodywork is in very good condition all round. The interior is also in very good condition all round. Car was hit in the rear passenger side by a third party in March 2022 causing damage to the bumper, rear light and boot, NO structure damage. Insurance classed it as Category N. See last 3 pictures which shows the damage in the accident. Car was purchased back., Next MOT due 24/04/2024, Alarm, Alloy Wheels (18in), Climate Control, Computer (Driver Information System), Electric Windows (Front/Rear), Front Sports Seats with Leather Upholstery, In Car Entertainment (Radio/CD), Upholstery Leather, Cruise Control, Heated Front Seats, Automatic Dimming and Folding Door Mirrors, Auto Headlights, Rain Sensors, Home Coming Lights, Multi-function Steering Wheel, Acoustic Parking System (Rear Only), Front Centre Armrest, Privacy Glass, Light Sensor Pack. 5 seats, Grey, £1,995
Image Count
24
Attention Grabber
Rare & Huge Spec,. 261BHP

 

[Highforce]

To add like a idiot i did not ask him if it runs well in writing etc. Which was what I asked him in person if it ever had any issues and he told me in person it was all fine as he was on top of servicing with oem parts etc. 

Edited February 28 by Highforce

[Magnet]

Hello Jay,

I really feel for you, since the seller fairly describes the car as Cat. N, the bodywork in very good condition all round, the interior…. very good all round, he ‘wisely’ doesn’t offer any description with regard to its mechanical condition - which is the all important omission in your case. 
The only questionable part of the description is ‘..well maintained..’ and I guess he has given you evidence to support that. Is it reasonable to assume that well-maintained = free from mechanical issue? A court might well argue -no - but it would need testing to find out. 
The fact that he has already given you a £100 refund may not be classed as any admission of a guilty practice, but simply a gesture of goodwill -? 
If it were mine:- I would be seeking advice (armed with the advert) at the CAB, before spending on any independent report. 
I feel all I can do at this stage is to wish you good luck with getting it into an acceptable condition, but please let us know if you think we can help further. 
Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[Highforce]

@Magnet 

 

Thanks Gareth and everyone else for the help.

 

Ive spoke with two mechanics now who have both given me great advise but to sum it up they have said due to it being mapped I am best to go to a re mapper with a dyno and get it fully checked out before I move on with anything else. So just in contact with one now to see when they can book me in.

 

Thanks again all.

[Magnet]

You are very welcome Jay. Good luck with it all. Fingers crossed here that it all works out for you, and you will soon be able to enjoy it. 
Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[Highforce]

@magnet hi just a update, seller has got back to me as follows. 
 

Dear

 

I am replying to your impertinent text message that you sent on the morning of 28th Feb 2023 whereby you or your mechanic claim that we knew about 2 major faults with the car after running a diagnostic. You have not mentioned the actual problem with the car but highlighted 2 codes. You have not provided me with a report from the mechanic nor told me if the mechanic has driven the car. Instead you have asked for a FULL refund or threatened legal action. 

 

Respectfully we have had the car for 8 years with no major concerns, as you claim there to be.

 

The car had a FULL service in Nov 2023 and no faults were found. However the mechanic did suggest to change a Turbo pipe due to age and this was changed. The car had been used daily since the service covering approx 3000 miles.

 

There were no lights on the dash or any issues with the driveability of the car to alert me to any issues prior to advertising the car for sale on Auto Trader.

 

You have seen all the paperwork to support the standard of the vehicle, even dating back to 2008 and since our ownership replacing parts well ahead of the replacement date.

 

On Monday 26th Feb when you took the car for a test drive I wanted you to have an extensive experience of the car so I directed you through A roads, B roads and the M11 Motorway which gave you the opportunity to find any mechanical or electrical faults and on this test drive. You over revved all the gears due to the car having a ECU remap, giving it more power, so you wanted to test its acceleration and in this test drive no faults were found, you were more than happy with the vehicle and a sale was agreed to.

 

A few hours later you informed me you needed to run a diagnostic on the car due to a performance issue where you asked for £80 refund I was very understanding, supportive and actually gave you a £100 refund. If I was a fraud, as you have insinuated, I would have made a different judgement.

 

Instead of trying to resolve this amicably you have made requests I am not willing to agree to. May I also highlight the fact you signed 2 Sales Receipts stating Sold As Seen.

 

Regards

 

I have spoke with my mechanic and now have it booked in for a rolling road, remap and diagnostics on Saturday. As both mechanics i spoke to said they wont touch it as it is mapped. 
 

what im thinking is to delay responding to the seller till ive had it on the rolling road. What would you guys suggest? 

[Magnet]

Hello Jay,

I can only suggest what I would do if it were mine:- 

I would not make any contact with the seller before getting the car looked at on Saturday. 
Would I make contact with him following that? I would reserve judgement on that until you have Saturday’s outcome. 
 

Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[Highforce]

Hi all, 

 

so my mechanic would not touch it due to the map. Went to a pro map company who was going to put back to standard and dyno it. But as soon as he got in the car he mentioned a buzzing noise. Which i had also heard on the way there. 
 

he said its the low pressure fuel pump and he wont dyno it but he put it back to stock. We also found out it was mapped twice..

he conducted a smoke test, looks like engine cover was glued on… smoke test found pcv breather pipe had a split on it. So he reckons that could be the no boost detected fault. However i spoke woth the guy who got the fault codes and he is saying that surely it would be a different code if it was the fuel pump. Ive been advised to get head gasket pressure checked and if there gone im fighting for a full refund. Before i start buying parts. However in the mean time im ordering a carista gonna re check and see faults etc. 

 

kinder stuck now. As pressure test is gonna cost god knows how much. Its no got no map which is annoying. Trying to avoid a mobey pit like before. As already up to 230 to get to this stage. 😞

[Highforce]

Thanks remebering my days studying motorcycle mechanics. I will ineed pressure test it myself simple device. 
 

i thought that maybe the case the tuner just put me to stock and now im at square one. I give up ahah. To my local mechanic this week now its stock, more money down the pisser but hoping to claim it all back from the seller. Looks like ill defo be going court on this one