James Baggott 227 Posted January 26, 2016 I've been wondering if there are any cars you guys avoid like a naked tramp dishing out hugs? Are there any models you simply wouldn't touch? What are they and why? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
umesh 336 Posted January 26, 2016 I did at one stage get caught out with 3 DSG Gearboxes One on an Audi A3 Just over 3 years old 19,000 miles , VW Passat again just over 3 years old 27,000 miles and Golf again just over 3 years old 15,000 miles that I'd supplied brand new , the last one VW Mainly paid towards it , cost me around £200 - the other two £2000 each !! So for a long while I avoided like the plague - but have since had few with no issues ! BUT Always very cautious when I buy them now! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sparky 274 Posted January 26, 2016 Any car with the Fiat 1.3 multijet engine in it. They have pretty much come to the end of their life now, but the Renault/Nissan with the 2.2 Dci engine (in contrast to the 2.0 dci which is bomb proof). Insignia Diesels. Sadly, the C4 Grand Picasso HDi is on my black list, and it is sad because they are great sellers but good god, they are made of glass and enough is enough. I only bought ones with up 70k max and full history but at least half had or needed turbo's on them, then you have injectors, turbo again, wiring looms with water in, another turbo, heater blowers and resistors, another turbo, flimsy seats and glovebox lids, turbos and glow plugs that are located in such a place that even the world champion contortionist couldn't get too. Oh, and now and again you need to change the turbo.... Finally for now, anything with a Peugeot VVT engine it, including The Mini. This should make a cracking thread! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SC Derby 259 Posted January 26, 2016 Vauxhall Diesels - clutches, turbos, EGR, injectors, swirl flaps/manifold & fuel pumps lol. Grand Picasso in any form High mileage french diesels Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jamie Edmonds 28 Posted January 26, 2016 The Grand Picasso is a real shame, they're brilliant family cars, and the cockpit makes you feel like you're driving something which is actually interesting - a feat which most MPVs can't manage. We had a one year old model and even that had issues with the stupid electric parking brake (don't get me started on which moron put the handbrake button on top of the dash so you have to lean forward to reach it...) Do you guys generally avoid particular vehicles as a whole or is it more down to the engine and gearbox combination? I guess with the Picasso the 1.6 HDi is the only one which sells, so even if the 1.6 petrol was more reliable it would be hard to find a buyer for. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sparky 274 Posted January 26, 2016 3 minutes ago, Jamie Edmonds said: The Grand Picasso is a real shame, they're brilliant family cars, and the cockpit makes you feel like you're driving something which is actually interesting - a feat which most MPVs can't manage. We had a one year old model and even that had issues with the stupid electric parking brake (don't get me started on which moron put the handbrake button on top of the dash so you have to lean forward to reach it...) Do you guys generally avoid particular vehicles as a whole or is it more down to the engine and gearbox combination? I guess with the Picasso the 1.6 HDi is the only one which sells, so even if the 1.6 petrol was more reliable it would be hard to find a buyer for. The petrol engine has the same VVT engine in it which I mentioned earlier so that's an even bigger no no. The 2.0 HDi would be my choice but even then it's a case of fingers crossed. It's a huge shame as like you say, when they are good they are a lovely MPV and are great sellers, but just not worth the grief. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SC Derby 259 Posted January 26, 2016 The last one we sold the 1.8 petrol version about 2.5 years ago, it just would not stop misfiring with engine light and also cut out every couple of weeks. Plugs, injectors, fuse box, coil packs and ecu were all changed and it would still not run right. We also had to do discs and pads and a clutch, and it ended up with threatened court action - not for the want of trying on our behalf but no one, not Citroen nor the local specialists could accurately diagnose the fault or faults present never mind repair. Never again, EVER. Cost us a small fortune and a bad online review too! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jamie Edmonds 28 Posted January 26, 2016 2 hours ago, sparky said: The petrol engine has the same VVT engine in it which I mentioned earlier so that's an even bigger no no. The 2.0 HDi would be my choice but even then it's a case of fingers crossed. It's a huge shame as like you say, when they are good they are a lovely MPV and are great sellers, but just not worth the grief. A very good point! I've been away from garages for a few years now, and I guess these are all into 'worthless bangers' territory but the really bad ones were Renault Laguna 2, Megane 2 and Scenic 2 - all had catastrophic faults baked in all over the place with clutches, DMFs, ECUs, general electrical stuff, handsfree key cards, EGR valves, body control units and handbrake mechanisms depending on which engine you had the misfortune to be dealing with at the time. Then there are the headlight/sidelight bulbs on the Megane... The fact that window regulators and ignition coils were basically a consumable item was a mere sideshow when compared with the impending mechanical doom likely to be round the corner. A colleague ignored all the advice and bought a top spec Laguna 1.9dCi as it was a grand cheaper than a Mondeo. Within six months it ate that in repairs and in not much over a year it needed a body control unit, ECU, clutch, flywheel, EGR (twice, I think) and other sundry bits. The alloy wheels were also made of cheese and buckled if you looked at them in the right way. I'd also like to preemptively nominate any of the PSA 'Hybrid4' models for this category in the future. Most of them will have covered plenty of miles, they're hugely complex, have the 2.0 HDi engine and an automated manual single clutch gearbox and frankly I just wouldn't trust one. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
It's me 615 Posted January 26, 2016 ha viva ,the rear wings rot out and you cant stuff teacakes in to the fill the holes Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tom 164 Posted January 26, 2016 Interesting...Sold a few DSG's and even a M.T Audi/VW in the past no problems Sold a few C4 picasso's no problems As for Renault I've only really sold clios the later ones are pretty good. A handful of Scenic II no major problems even an auto one! VW's I've had a few issues with mainly engines the 1.6 TDI is utter junk. MK4 Golfs are junk. Land rovers are brave but do sell for the badge. Peugeots are junk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wood235 36 Posted January 26, 2016 Ford diesels, we avoid, even with 30k, had some horrendous bills! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
James Baggott 227 Posted January 27, 2016 Some interesting choices there! Keep them coming. Fascinating stuff. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sparky 274 Posted January 27, 2016 10 hours ago, Wood235 said: Ford diesels, we avoid, even with 30k, had some horrendous bills! I've gone right off Ford's own diesel engines. I'd love to know which bright spark came up with the idea of a 'wet' belt. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
James Bush 95 Posted January 28, 2016 Mercedes B Class Auto, sold 2 within the last year and both developed gearbox issues with the part on back order with a 3/4 month wait. Anything Citroen diesel with over 60k on otherwise you're just waiting for a phone call to say the turbos packed up. 2010 onwards Low spec Mercedes C-Class, really cheap interior. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
James Baggott 227 Posted February 13, 2016 Any others? I'm finding this thread very interesting indeed... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sparky 274 Posted February 14, 2016 18 hours ago, James Baggott said: Any others? I'm finding this thread very interesting indeed... Did I mention the C4 Grand Picasso? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
James Baggott 227 Posted February 14, 2016 We had one of those as part of a trading up challenge. Didn't sell quite as quickly as I'd have hoped! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jack Regan 116 Posted February 14, 2016 Any Vauxhall with a 1.3 CDTI engine , 6 speed boxes in em are crap to . 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Velicular 10 Posted March 3, 2016 Wow lots of info to digest on this thread. Might have been easier to ask which vehicles people liked to sell and why. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sparky 274 Posted March 4, 2016 19 hours ago, Velicular said: Wow lots of info to digest on this thread. Might have been easier to ask which vehicles people liked to sell and why. Sadly, I would say my vehicles dislikes now far outweigh my vehicle likes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bestprice4cash 20 Posted March 24, 2016 (edited) Older L332 Range Rovers. Nothing but trouble unless you know what you are doing. I'm also very wary of Vauxhall Diesels they always seem to have issues. Edited March 24, 2016 by bestprice4cash Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
James Bush 95 Posted March 25, 2016 New shape Corsa and there rately timing chain!!!! Changed 3 in 2 months - just not going to stick them anymore - shame :-( Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sparky 274 Posted March 25, 2016 2 hours ago, James Bush said: New shape Corsa and there rately timing chain!!!! Changed 3 in 2 months - just not going to stick them anymore - shame :-( Heads or tails whether it's a timing chain or head gasket or if your lucky, a coil pack. Terrible engines. As you say, it'a a shame as they are great little sellers but just not worth the hassle. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bestprice4cash 20 Posted March 25, 2016 I will add anything with the 3.0 cdti engine found in older saabs, renault and vauxhall. It is an Isuzu based v6, a total liability and nightmare to work on. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
justina3 518 Posted April 20, 2016 another vote for the dreaded corsa "d" what did they make the head gasket out of blue tack had four go this year alone, thats me done with them back to fiesta's Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
