Hi peeps,

I'm in the market for an 69reg MK4 and found one I like and is close to market average price, but checked the MOT history and in 2022 it failed the MOT due to this:

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Mileage
17,731 miles

Repair immediately (major defects):
Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction (8.2.1.2 (h))
Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))
Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

 

Latest MOT passed with, but the minors are now:

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Mileage
28,263 miles

Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge WORN CLOSE (5.2.3 (e))
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge WORN CLOSE (5.2.3 (e))

Would you be worried about the catalytic converter issues from the past? Why/how can such a new car fail because of that? Hint of rough driver? Fact the tyres will need replacing very soon too might point to a type of driver?

Would you be put off by all this? Thanks

I wouldn't touch a car that failed its first MOT at 17000 miles with those faults.

'69 plate was an early Mk4.  Perhaps there was a PCM update to correct emissions from the earliest models.  There's no way the driver would know about a high CO content until it got to MOT.  (Not tested during servicing)

I'd also not be bothered about the tyre edgewear advisory.  They've clearly just rotated the tyres to get a few more miles out of them.

However...I am worried about anyone who fails to notice an EML on the dash...and even sends the car for MOT with it on!

 

Is this a private sale or Ford dealership?  If either of those, you may be able to find out what repair was completed during the 2022 MOT - whether it was a new cat, or lambda, or a PCM update...or perhaps they just had to thrash the nuts off of it.  Cat's need to be warm to work properly, signs of a dodgy one at such low mileage suggests more likely slow stop/start traffic rather than hard driving.

 

Which engine is it?  How many owners has it had?

True! EML and still taking it for an MOT is definitely a bit worrying to say the least. It was 1 owner and sold by random garage but I'm going to pass on it, it's market average price and so could wait and find one without any early issues like that! 🤞