Hi peeps some advise please,

looking to buy the above car (2002) but this has been found by an inspection:

"This inspection has identified a problem with the engines performance. When driven there is a

noticeable lack of acceleration which in my experience is normally caused by a malfunction of

the mass air flow meter (MAF). A check for stored fault codes showed that there none despite

this defect being present. The items noted during this inspection and detailed in the report are

all typical for USED vehicles of this age. No visible evidence of accident damage repairs

could be found during this inspection. I would advise you not to purchase this vehicle."

summery:

1. Engine oil level is low. Last service was in March 2011. I would suggest a full service and

brake inspection to the manufacturer recommendations, which may reveal further defects not

apparent at this examination.

2. No cold air is available from the air conditioning. Investigate and rectify. This could be due

to the system requiring re-gassing.

3. Wiper blades are worn.Replace wiper blades.

4. Acceleration is below average. It is possible that the MAF is faulty. Investigate and rectify.

5. Rattle is evident from the front. This could be caused by worn front anti roll bar bushes.

Replace bushes and re-assess rattle.

Just wondering if I can get the car cheap enough, would it still be worth me buying it and getting is sorted (depending on what the problem might be)

Could there be anything else that can cause the above engine problem that could work out economically un-viable? bearing in mind that the turbo was apparantly changed a few years ago. Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Edited 17 March, 201214 yr by ha33y

MAF, sticky vanes on the turbo, n75 valve problem, vacuum pipe failure or maybe a leaking in the air supply pipework. Maybe even a blocked EGR. Or the CTS could be providing dodgy temperature figures.

Normally one would expect to see a fault code being logged though. Try driving the car with the MAF disconnected, if performance is about the same then the mAF is probably ok, is much better then the MAF is goosed. Does the car pull up hills, or does it top out around 2750rpm and fail to then gain any more speed?

Assuming the turbo is fine, then fixing the problem probably shouldn't be too costly, just time consuming and experimentation.

How many miles has the car done?

You're looking at maybe £500 for a service, aircon re-gas, new wipers, new ARB bushes and a MAF. If the turbo is a variable vane one and needs cleaning then another £250. All of that would be cheaper if done yourself

thanks for your comments,

I don't have the car, I'm looking to buy it so sent round an engineer who gave me the above report so I don't have access to the car. I am not mechanically minded myself so can't do the work myself so will need to rely on a machanic.

I just wondered if I managed to get it for a good price (say between 1000-1,500) would it be a sensible thing to do? The mileage is at 76,000 with FSH apparently.

Edited 17 March, 201214 yr by ha33y

Low miles for the age, probably been grannied around town and the turbo vanes aren't moving freely.

tbh: you are better off spending more money and getting a car that is working properly if you don't have the technical skills to have fix it - otherwise you could end up spending a lot more money in the long run.

Plus when was the cambelt last changed? It is meant to be every 4 years/80k, so that coupled with a new water pump is around the £300 mark I expect.

Ok point taken, many thanks. I will take your advise and leave this one alone.

Thanks all!

if you dont need the car and can get it cheap maybe its worth it if you can fix it yourself. Otherwise i would agree with the above and get something that works...even if it has slightly higher mileage.

My TDI elegance 2003 is on 102k miles. Doesnt feel like it at all. Its all still tight and the engine pulls like a train. If you drive the car you should feel the turbo coming on quite noticeably at 2000rpm and giving a good pull to 3000. Past that its a bit pants really!

Yes i realise 110bhp isn't really 'like a train', but once up to speed i never feel like i dont have enough power

Just recently bought my 2002 TDi Elegance and it runs great.

No problems with power going up hills as I have found in the last week and motors past when I have to overtake when required.

Has done 108000 miles or so.

When the VNT works they go well, and when they go wrong they can be a right PITA. Mine has chugged up to 195k, and I think she is good for a few more thousand before I am prepared to think I have got value for money I am think 225-250k might be a suitable time to call it quits!