Hey all,
I recently bought a 2013 1.6 TDI Roomster, and I knew full well about the issues I'm about to list. My thinking was that even if it gets me to the February MOT, I've actually saved time and money so I can't complain. The previous owner loved this car, but he is a PhD student so not exactly flush with time or money to fix it up! She has a pile of receipts, was serviced in October, brakes and suspension replaced last year, etc. The MOT advisories reads;
Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement o/s/f wish bone rear mount bush starting to split (5.3.4 (a) (i))
Play in n/s and o/s of steering rack inner joints
I am looking for a ballpark of what I can expect to pay should these become more of an issue at MOT time, such that the necessary repairs are carried out. Also I'm on the west coast of Scotland, so I will be adding 20% on top of your suggested figures.
The other (known) issues with the car are;
Handbrake cable needs adjusting/replacing
None of the four electric windows works (allegedly the drivers side went first, then the passenger side, then the ones in the back)
The boot has a big rusty hole around where the switch ought to be, meaning that it's a risk when you open the boot, the switch isn't always operable, and it's only a matter of time before it ceases operation altogether.
The handbrake will be getting seen to today by my spanner, hoping that if I can pull that in slightly we are golden until the MOT, at which point that will see me out of £120 odd... How easy are Roomsters for new handbrake cables? I've seen a video of a Fabia getting done and it looks like a hell of a lot of effort.
Can I get thoughts on electric windows? I have read through many a thread on this site on electric windows and they seem to be an incredibly common problem. I don't mind them not working at the moment, but at some point it would be nice to use them! Do you have a fault-finding route you could share? I'm happy to look at that myself and see if I can fix it alone.
With regards to the boot, I have sourced a replacement, I just need to buy it and swap it out. I have located a helpful-looking video on this site with a Fabia, I believe. But that should be a straightforward enough job for two people, right?
Lastly, I want to change the bulbs in the lights because I find them about as useful as holding a candle up. I've heard Osram Night Breakers are a way to go, but looked on a few parts sites and it's asking me if I have the single or the double headlights model. I'm assuming if I go and have a look, I'll be able to tell?
If you got this far, thank you for reading! Any help and insight would be very helpful. Happy to keep you updated on the work too.
Thanks,
Theo