Hi All i'm new to the Forum, so please be gentle.

I'm looking to exchange my current drive, a VW Bora, to something with more of a boot.

I've been looking along the lines of a Mk2 Octavia Estate elegance or L&K. 

It has to be a diesel, as fuel consumption is important an important factor.

I've test driven both the 105 and 140 hp, and feel much more at home, with the higher power unit. 

But, 2 of 3 cars i've test driven don't have functioning parking sensors. 

The image of the car comes up for a split second when reverse is selected, and there is a long beep sound, but no audible beeps when reversing, and i've got pretty close to objects behind. 

I've had excuses from car dealers, such as, maybe they're not connected, (as it's not per spec), but i thought there were standard on the elegance models.

Is this a common fault?

Is it an easy fix, or should i steer clear of these vehicles?

Also is there anything else i should be looking for on these models?

Thanks in advance. 

It may be an easy fix as it may have come unplugged (although unlikely).

You can check for duff sensors by engaging reverse and listening for a clicking noise from the actual sensors.

A duff sensor doesn't click (and I hope I've got that round the right way). If it is one sensor not working (which could cause the issue you describe) then it is quite an easy and cheap fix.

But you'll need to remove lots of interior boot trim to remove the rear bumper to be able to change the sensor.

I might be able to shed some light on the situation, i recently had to change one of my parking sensors as i had exactly the same problem, i think it was water ingress or something, the unit will as stated above sound a long beep if one of the following things has happened:

 

1. parking sensor is duff

2. plug has come off for some reason

 

as KBP has said, listen to them for a 'clicking sound', sensors are expensive from dealer so have a look on ebay, i got mine for £30, usually about £90 from dealer...

 

Also in relation to fitting them, if you are lucky enough for the faulty sensor to be one of the outer sensors, i found you can jack the car up, remove the rear wheel and unscrew the arch liner and just about squeeze your hand up there to replace, hope this helps

Sensors are £10-20 on eBay and a half hour to fit.

I've a post about a year old in which I detailed the procedure when I replaced 2 of mine, easy job.

Hi

 

As per above replies, being so easy and dealers not putting them rights would make me wonder what else is lurking that may be more serious/expensive - and also, if they are selling them with a warranty surely they should have all enabled features working.....or can I be wrong?

Wow thanks for all the help. 

Sounds like a relatively easy, if not time consuming fix. 

So am i right in thinking that if one sensor fails, the whole system stops working?

Yes.

Hence the long beep on engaging reverse. But it could also be caused by broken wire(s) or disconnected plugs.

That's correct, it's all or nothing.

The problem with Optical parking is a simple fault will wipe out the whole system

 

things like

 

faulty sensor

faulty wiring to the sensor or any other part

faulty buzzers

faulty switch (front sensors)

incorrect coding can also cause issues

 

best to get a scan done to save time checking everything