Evening,

 

So all things being equal I hope to view and purchase a 2015 Octavia VRS diesel with DSG gearbox on Sat.

 

Doing my research and checking out MOT history and came across a advisory last year -

 

• Offside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

 

Whilst reading through some old posts just brushing up on my knowledge I noticed someone referring to the standards shocks as ‘made out of cheese’ and a ‘common problem’ on the VRS.

 

That being the case should the above advisory be taken with a pinch of salt and something I should just keep an eye on, or is it signs of a hefty bill in the pipeline?

 

No other major concerns, history is all good, cambelt and water pump done on time, DSG oil changed at required interval. The car has clearly been cared for but I am just wondering if the tester was a tad ‘over zealous’ or if this advisory points towards something more sinister.

 

Being from an independent trader it has 3 months warranty so presumably if I bring it to their attention and tell them I am aware of the advisory then an failure within those 3 months should be covered?

 

I know often these warranties aren’t worth the paper they are written on but just trying to suss out my position. 
 

Si

Light misting on Octavia dampers is so common they should include it in the brochure under standard specification. Nothing to worry about some members get this advisory every year and it still passes.

4 minutes ago, shyVRS245 said:

Light misting on Octavia dampers is so common they should include it in the brochure under standard specification. Nothing to worry about some members get this advisory every year and it still passes.

Thank you very much, most reassuring - always best to ask these things of those that know.

 

That being the case I reckon I might just be making a purchase on Saturday morning! 
 

Si

1 hour ago, SiT said:

Evening,

 

So all things being equal I hope to view and purchase a 2015 Octavia VRS diesel with DSG gearbox on Sat.

 

Doing my research and checking out MOT history and came across a advisory last year -

 

• Offside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

 

Whilst reading through some old posts just brushing up on my knowledge I noticed someone referring to the standards shocks as ‘made out of cheese’ and a ‘common problem’ on the VRS.

 

That being the case should the above advisory be taken with a pinch of salt and something I should just keep an eye on, or is it signs of a hefty bill in the pipeline?

 

No other major concerns, history is all good, cambelt and water pump done on time, DSG oil changed at required interval. The car has clearly been cared for but I am just wondering if the tester was a tad ‘over zealous’ or if this advisory points towards something more sinister.

 

Being from an independent trader it has 3 months warranty so presumably if I bring it to their attention and tell them I am aware of the advisory then an failure within those 3 months should be covered?

 

I know often these warranties aren’t worth the paper they are written on but just trying to suss out my position. 
 

Si

 

Personally, I'd try and push for them to get replaced before signing. My 65 plate had the same advisory for both fronts at its first MOT and then failed a year later.

 

£300 outlay to put right 😔

Edited 30 January, 20206 yr by courty

I asked the same question when I got the same advisory.  People didn't seem overly worried.

I then had a conversation with my dad that weekend who said he's had cars before that misted, he just wiped them before the MOT and they keep going for 10 years like that....

 

 

Also, be aware that you have 6 months warranty with the car, not 3.

If you're buying it from any trader, you get 6 months, that's the law.

See consumer rights act 2015.

Essentially, if you find a fault that you're not made aware of at the time of purchase they have to fix it or refund you.

 

My previous car had "light misting" advisory for the last 5 MOT tests, passed every time until I sold it at 10 years old.

 

Seems to me like some MOT testers are more likely to "cover their ass" than others?

The light misting is not a problem, infact the front shock absorbers have a gland in built to allow excess pressure out out so the internal seals don't get damaged, as this happens there will be a slight amount of fluid that escapes as well.

 

 

I'm an MOT tester and it's general practice to advise the light misting to as some one has said to cover our self's if the condition of the shock absorber does get worse. It shows we have noticed there could be a problem and have advised the presenter of the vehicle of it. i was trained the mantor of "if in doubt pass and advise"

 

Can this misting be checked without lifting the car?

11 hours ago, toni8b said:

Can this misting be checked without lifting the car?

Not easyley, because of the clearence between the top of the tyre and bottom of the wheel arch.

Then how can mot see it if they dont lift the car?

16 minutes ago, toni8b said:

Then how can mot see it if they dont lift the car?

 

They do lift the car. How else are they expected to check the underneath of the car? 

On 05/02/2020 at 20:48, hatchy said:

 

They do lift the car. How else are they expected to check the underneath of the car? 

But they do not lift it, only walk underneath it in tunnel.

My experiences of MOT is they lift the car fully on the ramp and then jack the car under the subframe which then let's the suspension to fully extend, the top of the struts are fully exposed then.