Hi all,

 

Bit of a long story but a couple of months ago I got the 500 mile before engine shut down adblue warning. I topped up adblue, but the warning didn't go, it kept counting down so I booked it in a trusted garage who have done good work on the car before.

 

The next day the garage rang me an said it was going to be an expensive fix as the sensor had failed and given that the sensor is an integral part of the adblue tank, this would need to be replaced along with some other parts of the system and a software update would be required. The cost of this work would be £1800!! I needed the car back asap, so had no choice but to approve the work.

 

After a couple of days the car was ready for collection and I happily drove it home and though I'd have a quick look at the adblue range. To my surprise it showed 0 km range. I phoned the garage to query this but was assured that because it was a new sensor it takes time to calibrate and they had topped the adblue to full and the sensor would only show range when the adblue level goes down so the new sensor could detect the change in level, but due to the super efficient update they did this could take some time.  Sounded legit.

 

Anyway, continued to drive car, went in it on family holiday to Europe and back, racking up 3500 miles - Adblue range still showing 0, I'm thinking the adblue must have gone down by now, so rang garage again. Again, was told not to worry as due to the super duper efficient update the car would hardly be using any adblue so it will take time but bring it back if you want so we check software is working. I didn't see any point to this as I was sure they were just going to tell me everything is ok.

 

By this time I'm starting to have doubts but I know absolutely nothing about adblue systems, so I started reading up on the internet and the more I read, the more it seems possible the garage couldn't fix the problem so they just did an adblue delete - this is apparently the only way the car would start with 0 adblue range. Problem is this could be difficult to prove without spending another small fortune somewhare else.

 

I've also read that an adblue delete renders your car illegal on the road, so potentially I have a car that I shouldn't be driving and will be impossible to sell on.

 

Am I being paranoid or does this seem odd to anyone else?

 

Any feedback much appreciated.

 

 

 

2016 Skoda Superb Mark III estate.

 

 

 

Welcome.

Sadly a common tale.

 

Selling the car might well be an issue. Once the buyer realises the car does not use AdBlue or need topping up. 

As far as illegal, who will know if the car passes MOT,s.   (Do you know it has been deleted, well obviously you do as you posted on a public forum.)

I'm not 100%  it has been deleted, its just my suspicion at this stage.

1 hour ago, Iansuperb said:

Problem is this could be difficult to prove without spending another small fortune somewhere else.

I would have thought that a fault code scan would show something strange in the engine ECU?

 

There are several briskoda members with e.g. VCDS willing to do scans for beer tokens see https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/262215-list-of-vcds-owners-previously-known-as-vag-com-vcp-owners/page/5/#comment-5856576

@Iansuperb @PetrolDave This sub-section of the MoT Manual (copied from Web 29 Aug 2024) seems relevant. Have a read for yourselves and see if AddBlue is mentioned.

Have you tried to top up ad blue to see if it has used any at all in 3500miles circa 5000kms? 

With Ad-Blue, the sensors and the pump will eventually fail especially if the level of Ad-Blue is always low in its tank and you experience lots of hot days. Suggest some ad blue cleaner occasionally. Something like: https://www.wynns.uk.com/product/ad-protect/?_gl=1*dfzm55*_up*MQ..&gclid=CjwKCAjwuMC2BhA7EiwAmJKRrNSXKUAJp_0qjBUjGVM8Ner2q98eyS-a8ra_EoFGESCndq_b7Cx2KhoCAJUQAvD_BwE

Edited 29 August, 20241 yr by varaderoguy