Handbrake Sensor issue with possible secondhand car purchase

[Merseysider1982]

Hi,

I'm going to buy a Meriva tomorrow for £1,200 tomorrow it's an 08 plate, in good condition and been looked after.

Lady owner, been serviced regularly, only has 60k on the clock, MOT passed in July with no major issues with the car and she was honest and said that the handbrake works fine without issues but the handbrake sensor is on.

She has had it checked over and was told that it wasn't worth an intervention.

If you were in my boat, would you still purchase the car?

Thank you for your time and thank you in advance for any replies and advice.

Edited by Merseysider1982 on Monday 1st November 17:31

Edited by Merseysider1982 on Monday 1st November 17:31

Edited by Merseysider1982 on Monday 1st November 17:38

[ZX10R NIN]

Ring your garage get an idea of the cost of sorting the handbrake sensor & then take that off the price.

[Merseysider1982]

I've just spoken to Vauxhall and they say obviously any light on the dash needs to be rectified and that in this case, usually it would indicate that it might have been in an accident.

[Merseysider1982]

[Merseysider1982]

Above is what I have been told, I just want to make sure I'm not buying a car with a serious issue.

[Pica-Pica]

Merseysider1982 said:

Hi,

I'm going to buy a Meriva tomorrow for £1,200 tomorrow it's an 08 plate, in good condition and been looked after.

Lady owner, been serviced regularly, only has 60k on the clock, MOT passed with no advisories, no issues with the car and she was honest and said that the handbrake works fine without issues but the handbrake sensor is on.

She has had it checked over and was told that it wasn't worth an invention.

If you were in my boat, would you still purchase the car?

Thank you for your time and thank you in advance for any replies and advice.

‘Intervention’ I assume?

[ZX10R NIN]

Merseysider1982 said:

I've just spoken to Vauxhall and they say obviously any light on the dash needs to be rectified and that in this case, usually it would indicate that it might have been in an accident.

No it doesn't indicate it's been in an accident, did you ask them about the cost to replace a handbrake sensor as that's what you actually need to know?

[Merseysider1982]

In July, on the first MOT, it also failed on an Engine Mil Inoperative 8.2.1.2 issue before it passed the second time around.

[Merseysider1982]

ZX10R NIN said:

No it doesn't indicate it's been in an accident, did you ask them about the cost to replace a handbrake sensor as that's what you actually need to know?

I did ask that, but he kept repeating the above, just kept mentioning that it could have been in an accident, the current owner has had it six years, I've spent money doing checks online and no red flags show up, no write offs or accidents etc.

[Panamax]

I'm always cautious in these situations.

If it's "an easy fix" why hasn't it been fixed?

[Merseysider1982]

Panamax said:

I'm always cautious in these situations.

If it's "an easy fix" why hasn't it been fixed?

To quote the seller, in their actual words:-



So it was checked when it went through the MOT in July and didn't require an intervention.

Edited by Merseysider1982 on Monday 1st November 17:38

[Merseysider1982]

Also, this is from the MOT in July:

[ZX10R NIN]

Merseysider1982 said:

I did ask that, but he kept repeating the above, just kept mentioning that it could have been in an accident, the current owner has had it six years, I've spent money doing checks online and no red flags show up, no write offs or accidents etc.

Do a VCheck that will tell you if it's been in an accident, if you've used a garage to service your previous cars give them a call & get a price from them.

[Merseysider1982]

ZX10R NIN said:

Do a VCheck that will tell you if it's been in an accident, if you've used a garage to service your previous cars give them a call & get a price from them.

Thanks, full check has been paid for and done online, no accidents and no other issues.

[Merseysider1982]

So, I'd like to get the car, but I really need to know what I'm possibly dealing with here before i go and purchase it tomorrow.

[Scrump]

ZX10R NIN said:

Do a VCheck that will tell you if it's been in an accident, if you've used a garage to service your previous cars give them a call & get a price from them.

It may tell if it has been in an accident.
Plenty of cars have been in an accident but are not picked up by VCheck.

[Merseysider1982]

Also, just been sent this:

This is when it was serviced and MOT'ed in July this year.

[Drive Blind]

has the brake fluid level been checked ?

[Summit_Detailing]

Merseysider1982 said:

Also, just been sent this:

This is when it was serviced and MOT'ed in July this year.

The lambda or oxygen sensor would be 99% the reason for the engine light to be on that you mentioned previously.

I'd phone a local, family garage and ask them to give you a quote to replace the handbrake switch - it's a Vauxhall so parts aren't expensive!
But first I'd check the brake fluid level as this can put the light on...

Cheers.

[Merseysider1982]

Drive Blind said:

has the brake fluid level been checked ?

I would have thought so, having had it fully serviced in July but thank you, I will ask them about that and let you know their response.