Pick up my 06 plate VRS TFSI on tue but got a call from the seller today saying the ESP light has come on and VCDS says that its the ABS unit.

He says this is a common fault on the Octavia II. He also says this has happened to his previous vRS and he still has the unserviceable unit.

He says the unit can be repaired by a company called ECU Testing for £350 and replaced by a garage for around £100.

As i need to pick the car up on Tuesday and he couldn't get the work done by then he has offered to reduce the price by £450.

Also, the car has only covered 12000 miles. is this normal for such a low mileage car?

ADVICE PLEASE as I dont know much about this? Really want this car but dont want to get ripped off.

Anyone had any experience with this??

Much appreciated!!!

Pick up my 06 plate VRS TFSI on tue but got a call from the seller today saying the ESP light has come on and VCDS says that its the ABS unit.

He says this is a common fault on the Octavia II. He also says this has happened to his previous vRS and he still has the unserviceable unit.

He says the unit can be repaired by a company called ECU Testing for £350 and replaced by a garage for around £100.

As i need to pick the car up on Tuesday and he couldn't get the work done by then he has offered to reduce the price by £450.

Also, the car has only covered 12000 miles. is this normal for such a low mileage car?

ADVICE PLEASE as I dont know much about this? Really want this car but dont want to get ripped off.

Anyone had any experience with this??

Much appreciated!!!

http://briskoda.net/...n-esp-problems/

Teves Mk60 ESP/ABS unit

Here are the bods who repair them > http://www.ecutesting.com/seat_toledo___leon___skoda_oct.html

Edited 12 September, 201015 yr by dstev2000

£100 to remove and replace would be a bargain. I think it is a fairly lengthly job (circa 5 hours), so more like £200 to £250 labour. I would want £600 - £700 knocking off just to be on the safe side.

£100 to remove and replace would be a bargain. I think it is a fairly lengthly job (circa 5 hours), so more like £200 to £250 labour. I would want £600 - £700 knocking off just to be on the safe side.

+1

Unless you can do the swap out yourself you will be out of pocket there. I would push him to get it all sorted before you buy the car.

These units seem to fail on a time-related basis, irrespective of mileage.

The repair to the unit is indeed £350. The unit must be removed, sent away for repair, and then replaced. The time to remove and refit is around 1-2 hours. It is not a difficult job and certainly any independent VW/Audi/Skoda/SEAT repairer shoulld be able to do the job for you for around £150. So you should be looking for a £500 rebate from the seller - obviously more if you can get it.

Note that the car will be off the road for several days whilst the unit is repaired.

It is safe and legal to drive in the meantime (although without ESP of course) and would pass an MoT.

I would like to really thank everyone for your VERY helpful responses. They have helped me to make my mind up.

I am going to collect the car as arranged on the agreement that the seller sends off his spare ABS unit for repair (at his expense) and gets the repaired unit sent to my address.

I go to my local VAG specialist for a quote to replace tomorrow and get the price of the car reduced by this amount.

The way I see it there is a good chance this would have happened anyway so this way it's sorted at the sellers expense.

or ??

The way I see it there is a good chance this would have happened anyway so this way it's sorted at the sellers expense.

or ??

Yes, I think that is very much the case. You are very lucky it failed just prior to purchase!

Yes, I think that is very much the case. You are very lucky it failed just prior to purchase!

Yes strangely I am actually rather happy about this whole situation. :wonder:

Heres an update: The seller has offered a reduction of £530. This is £350 for repair of unit, £150 for replacement and £30 for post and packaging.

Fair I think???

Fair play to him for owning up instead of taking the ESP warning light bulb out.

Steve

Fair play to him for owning up instead of taking the ESP warning light bulb out.

Steve

I know he has been extremely honest, not only that but this has happened to him TWICE.

2 days before the car is collected as well.

That is why I have not took the mickey and tried to get any more money knocked off the car than what it costs to repair.

Credit to the seller for being straight with you.

I think his offer is fair. You are indeed lucky it didn't happen after you took ownership of the car.

IIRC the recon units are guaranteed for 24 months and unlimited mileage in that period as well.

Credit to the seller for being straight with you.

I think his offer is fair. You are indeed lucky it didn't happen after you took ownership of the car.

IIRC the recon units are guaranteed for 24 months and unlimited mileage in that period as well.

Yes, and they claim to upgrade the unit so this fault will never reoccur.

Bit of peace of mind for me

Is that £350 plus the dreaded VAT, that's a going to add a few quid more !

Is that £350 plus the dreaded VAT, that's a going to add a few quid more !

"" Please note: All purchases made within the UK & EU may be subject to UK VAT rates ""

......... Sounds ominous :doh:

411 quid then bumps it up by a fair bit.

411 quid then bumps it up by a fair bit.

More bad news for the seller, bet he wishes I wasn't a Brisky member.... :p

I would imagine he missed the sneaky VAT addition that is stuffed right down the bottom of the page just like most of us did

I would imagine he missed the sneaky VAT addition that is stuffed right down the bottom of the page just like most of us did

Nothing worse than a price quote exclusive of VAT. Its not really a price quote then is it?

Nothing worse than a price quote exclusive of VAT. Its not really a price quote then is it?

Yes, that can be a tad annoying, especially if a company is dealing mostly with 'end users' who cannot claim the VAT back. Maybe they deal with the car trade more than individuals and then the ex. VAT price makes more sense.

Told you low mileage isn't always a good thing

No, in all seriousness good on the seller for being straight with you. And on the plus side you know you'll have a new, fresh unit in there.

Just make sure you get what's being put forward by the seller in writing from him, when you collect the car. You've got some concrete then.

Steve

Told you low mileage isn't always a good thing

No, in all seriousness good on the seller for being straight with you. And on the plus side you know you'll have a new, fresh unit in there.

Just make sure you get what's being put forward by the seller in writing from him, when you collect the car. You've got some concrete then.

Steve

Smart A**e

Yes well ive now decided to take the unit myself and get it sent away myself and just get the overall cost deducted from the price of the car.

Update: My garage has quoted 3 hrs labour (£170)

Is that £350 plus the dreaded VAT, that's a going to add a few quid more !

£432 inc. VAT and P&P