Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

The mighty Panda is not feeling so mighty this morning and won't start. Battery fine, starter going, 1/4 of a tank of fuel.

Called RAC as I have some cover through my insurance, but not "at home". Their website says explicitly to not extend cover if you have broken down, just call up for help instead. However, the £85 call out fee they were going to charge became £150 when the membership team said I didn't have at home cover. "You should have extended your membership first before calling". They got called contradictory cunts (almost) and I hung up.

Any local (SE19) indies that could come out and take a look? I'm not in any rush.

New van day, glad I went for 2 seats up front instead of the bench. Feels more car-like.

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Filled out a "Clickmechanic" request form in lieu of anything else

New bushings (OEM Mercedes):

8 days labour and the cost of parts is the estimate, so 3.5-4k I reckon.

I admire your attention to detail and deep pockets. You certainly love a project

The Panda lives, as you were.

Well, it was this or scrap it, and I don't want to scrap it. I could have nursed it through a "sympathetic" MOT, probably, but that wouldn't have found the brake lines which were apparently very dangerously corroded where they ran over the top of the subframe.

Old battery?

No, the battery is one of the newest things on it. No problem spinning the starter. I think it was low fuel and being parked at an angle (facing downhill + on a camber) that I don't usually park. Coasted it down to my usual spot, started with my foot flat on the floor (as advised by Neil, had already tried it but in the wonky spot), fired up first go.

without a queue round the block

I never really thought about it that much in terms of volume. But the place I used to go in Finsbury Park never had less than two cars in front and one behind.

After all the slavery stuff a while back I stopped using them.

I had a Mondeo once that wouldn't start if it was below about 20% on the petrol gauge. Never diagnosed it, just kept the tank topped up. weird though

Did the brake lines get picked up on the most recent MOT or a case of out of sight, out of mind?

I got the front-to-rear brake lines and fuel lines done on my e34 last week - costly but worth it for peace of mind (and in the case of the brake lines, to get it through the MOT).

Engine light comes on day after the car passed its MOT 😅
Engine code says post cat lambda sensor so I’m gonna bung an eBay special for £20 in and hope for the best. ECP has them for about £100!

I've parked it on all sorts of angles before (live near Crystal Palace, no avoiding it here). I usually park facing straight downhill with the right wheels up on the kerb. No problems. This time, I parked further up the hill (slightly steeper), left wheels up and on a bend. So any fuel would have been in the front right lower corner of the tank. Might see if I can find out where the fuel feed/outlet is on a 2004 panda. If it's anywhere rear left, that might be it.

I mean, they only need one car waiting at any time to be totally efficient. It’s just that you often see these places with no cars in them. I know I never bother if there’s a queue.

Time to do a proper wash on the e46 myself now!

Check the wiring.

The car washes were open round here all through lock down.

Also managed to reattach the rear washer jet on the e46 without much trouble. Added a zip tie for peace of mind. Managed to get most of the clips off cleanly, the middle one gave up and one at the side has slightly cracked so is now being superglued before re attachment. Brake light still works and the jet shoots onto the right spot. Progress!

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Check the wiring.

In what way exactly?

Did the brake lines get picked up on the most recent MOT or a case of out of sight, out of mind?

I got the front-to-rear brake lines and fuel lines done on my e34 last week - costly but worth it for peace of mind (and in the case of the brake lines, to get it through the MOT).

The parts of the brake lines that you could get too were ok - the MOT guy had clearly scraped back the waxoyl/similar to check that they were ok, it was the pipes that couldn't be reached (and, presumably had been waxoyled either too late, or as a cover up for an MOT...) and therefore couldn't be checked that were close to going pop.

Ah yes, the original Ami with the Ford Anglia-style reverse slope rear screen! I had the Ami Super with the 1015cc flat-four, as fitted to the first-series GS. Bejazus was it noisy or what? But that engine would spin and spin. On a long downhill pitch with the wind behind, accelerator pedal pressed to the floor, the speedo would show near enough 100mph. On 145 Michelin ZX tyres...

The car I bought recently (advertised as serviced and with a full MOT with no advisories) has returned from a checkup at a local independent specialist garage. Verdict is it is not safe to drive. Repair bill is 50% of the cost of the car.

I have contacted the dealer where the car was purchased, explained the issues and suggested that I can reject the car and return for a refund. Dealer has said that I need to take it up with the garage that did the MOT. The MOT was done before I bought the car.

I understand that I should be returning this car for refund or repair to the dealership from which I bought it, not contacting the MOT garage.

Advice welcomed.

Check the wiring connection is clean and makes a good (low resistance) connection and that the wire itself has a low resistance.

What’s wrong with it exactly?

The garage is fobbing you off, you are legally entitled to return it if you choose.

Dealer is being difficult, the dealer has to give a warranty. Most details here: https://www.thecarexpert.co.uk/rejecting-a-car/

How did you pay?

Why not get the dealer to fix the car?