Hi, my 03 Fabia has just failed its MOT - what's worst is that I have only done 2000 miles in it this year taking it to 29000 miles - It has failed due to bad emissions. The garage said that it would probably be the front or back lambda sensor, but probably the front one. They said I can gamble and fit a new front sensor for £140 (they only fit good ones and not ones you have to bodge the wiring on ???) or I can pay another £25 for them to check the diagnostic code which may or may not confirm the front sensor - could I just ask if this all sounds correct. Thank you very much indeed.

Petrol or diesel?

Petrol or diesel?

Hi it is petrol

Ok, What the tester is saying is correct. If he is your regular trusted mechanic then I would go by what he says. Front Lambda sensors on VAG cars are prone to failure. The fault diagnosis or VAG.com is the best way of detecting the faulty item. Use your charms and try and blag a free diagnosis but say he will be doing the work for you. From his point of view people just turn up for a fault diagnosis, find out what needs changing then go elsewhere for a cheaper fix.

Just noticed the few miles you have done, really the car car needs a good thrashing to get the CAT up to temperature to burn off the pollutants. Hope you didn't just drive 1/2 a mile to the garage after not using the car for weeks, this may be the prblem.

Ok - thank you very much for this - looking around it appears that the sensors are around £90-100 so this is probably reasonable - thank you again.

Just noticed the few miles you have done, really the car car needs a good thrashing to get the CAT up to temperature to burn off the pollutants. Hope you didn't just drive 1/2 a mile to the garage after not using the car for weeks, this may be the prblem.

I drove the car 12 miles to the garage. I only do a couple of miles a day but give it one longer run (25 miles or so) once a week. The tester said the emissions are fine and then they suddenly go bad, then they settle and then they go bad again so he suspects lamda. He did also say it could be the cat but probably only the sensor.

Thanks

I would tend to agree with him, as you say the price is right, hope thats all that is required. Good luck

Thank you very much indeed for your assistance - much appreciated.

Petrol or diesel?

No lambda on a diesel, it's an open loop cat system.