Buying Second Hand Car Question

akira181

The dealer confirmed they have a 30 day warranty that covers engine problems, including clutch, gearbox and turbo, and I just need to get the car back to them to fix.  I took it for another test drive before paying the rest yesterday.  It drove fine, EML light was gone, and the smell was good; a bit heavy on air freshener but doesn't smell like it was purposely masking something, just a rather potent one hanging off the rear view. 

However, the car was pulling to one side and the EML light came back on this morning as I took it round to my mechanic.  He found a binding front brake caliper (45% imbalance, probably seized up overnight as the drive home was ok) and the same glow plug throwing a fault.  The dealer is sending all the parts FOC to my mechanic to fix (discs, pads, calipers, plugs) and I'm going to cover labour as I can't drive it back to the dealer nor do I trust them to fix it properly the second time round.  Couple hundred extra in labour but could have been a lot worse.  The car was cheap enough that I'm comfortable paying that and was prepared for basic repairs.

My mechanic regassed the AC and it's holding pressure for now (a can of Stop Leak may have success if it's a slow leak, not too bothered otherwise) and found some play in the front suspension bushing but still plenty of life left in them.  Once those parts arrive and get installed, he thinks the car will be good.

Hopefully after 9 years of the same car, the EML made the previous owner think "time for a new car" and not a bunch issues yet to come to light.  Time will tell but fingers crossed, so far so good.