Magnet

Sorry to say it as I see it Jason, but oh blinking heck! The ‘grometed’ hole , with an associated drain off tube, is there simply to allow rain water which will flow into the recessed fuel filler chamber to escape. If it gets blocked, rain water will collect within the flap- covered filler chamber. Possible reason for the extra hole? See -guess - in earlier post. Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Zoe, How long have you had the car, and has it been like this from the time you had it? Kind regards, Zoe.

Thanks Lee, Could you please post the prices you want for each item please. Many thanks, Gareth.

Hello Aadam, Is the grommet hole ( the original drain) clear of any blockage? Have you tried pushing some suitable size flexible cable/wire down that hole to test that? A guess? The original hole is bricked, and someone has decided to drill another drain hole alongside -? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Zoe, Although the compression test has revealed a significant ‘mechanical’ issue with the engine, at least it has eliminated the need to waste money on injectors etc. to no avail. I notice the reference to a warranty, which was not known about before. Does that mean you have only recently purchased the car - or the warranty? I think the all important progressive next move is to obtain copy of the compression test results, and to start a written exchange with the warranty company. As always, we can only advise on an ‘if it were mine’ situation, and if it was, I would certainly discontinue any DIY mechanics on this car. It could leave you open to debate as to whether any faults have been aggravated by your ( partner’s) actions. Perhaps you could keep us up to date Zoe, and if we can help, we will. Good luck in getting it sorted. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Jason, I wonder if you would like to ‘dilute’ your claim that the best fuel to use is Shell, by prefixing it with something like ‘In my opinion’, since members follow advice based on the principle of what is written is indeed fact. It would be surprising to read that Shell would openly claim that their brand of fuel is the ‘Best’. Perhaps you would consider editing this post accordingly, or on the basis of reasonable claim, I can edit the post if you would prefer. Kind regards, Gareth.

Many thanks Martin. Having owned a 1947 Wolseley 12hp, I guess you are familiar with Classic car insurance, whereby you can insure a c20 year old car, which is used on a limited mileage basis, and you can generally benefit from an agreed values, breakdown etc., since this car isn’t your sole means of transport. You would need to shop around ( I would do this by phone) the brokers you would find via. a Google search for Classic Car Insurance. Be prepared to find they might not be too keen on insuring a 20 year old A2, but just keep trying. Let us know how you get on Martin. Kind regards, Gareth.

Bought from a dealer, or privately Aran? Emissions recall?? Beware of entertaining that. Kind regards, Gareth.

Welcome and thanks for joining Martin. So that we can hopefully best help you, could you give us far more detail of what you use the car for, how many miles you cover a year, whether this is your only car etc. Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Richard, There is better understanding, now that you have explained that the tow bar fitting specialist had already advised you that they know there isn’t anything abnormal about the situation you are left in. Knowledge of full facts is king if meaningful advice is to be given. Thanks again Jason, so the forum takes it that you have consulted with Audi Technical on this subject. If I may say, the forum needs to be assured that the facts it advises on are indeed supported. If they are, then that is fact If indeed they aren’t or haven’t been, then is must be taken as opinion or assumption, and that’s fine too - if stated to be. Many thanks and kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Jason, ‘They would have researched this….’ Is this statement in knowledge that they actually did, or is it an assumption on your part? I think my suggestion to Richard to seek advice at a specialist, before accepting what has been said, is both progressive and meaningful. Kind regards, Gareth.

Many thanks Richard, Since your car is 3 years old - and I guess has been fitted with its tow bar at some point after it was first registered - it may well be worth giving all this a good coat of thinking about before dismissing the possibility that it might be associated with the after-fitting of the tow bar, rather than an incorporated designed safety ‘feature’ Worth having a word with a towing bar fitting specialist-? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Zoe, A lot has been said, and some tests done. If it were mine, I would now be taking this back to first principles and getting a compression test done on each cylinder before embarking on more expensive in depth diagnosis. Kind regards, Gareth. p.s. Trophy? - guess you are talking the Leaderboard trophy Jason - well done you - a lot of time put in to get that.

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.

Great Colin, Hope said son has been involved in finding and installing this, otherwise they can take it for granted such things just appear out of fresh air! Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Paul, I’m sure it will find a good home.

Acceptable price please Paul, as opposed to offers? This minimises the risk of you and forum members being messed around. Kind regards, Gareth,

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.

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.

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.

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.

Many thanks Jason, but I still find myself rather perplexed by any connection, but let’s put that down to my simple lack of understanding. I’m not aware of any fighting on here, and any differences of opinion have always been freely and amicably aired, and respected on all sides - it’s what we do! Anyway, thank you again Jason.

Hello Colin , and welcome from the other end of the Homeland, to you and your son. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Colin, Glad to hear the car meets your expectations in all respects - except for the spare wheel. As I see it, you have what the car was originally equipped with:- a compressor, and a container of tyre sealant. With these, you won’t have had a jack or a wheel brace, since there wasn’t a spare to replace. Where to go:- I would be looking on EBay for suitable space saver, and a jack and wheel base and their foam holder. Sub woofer will probably have to be repositioned. Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks again John for your understanding. I think through all of this, lessons have to be learnt, and as I keep saying you are indeed right - the forum interchange between members is restricted to a relative few, and is unfortunately dwarfed by the number of quests for assistance. Let me come clean - my non-Audi is a Jaguar, the current being the fourth in as many decades, and I have first hand knowledge of the member to member interchange (and banter) on the forum there - it is great, albeit often off topic! , but it is an interchange. So I know full well what you mean. If only we could encourage such interchange on here. It’s pleasing to hear you intend to buy a Q5, and I wish you well in your search, and we really hope the forum maybe of some use to you once you have found the right one. Take care. Kind regards, Gareth.