Would you buy a car with a new engine fitted?

[insanojackson]

So, say a private seller was selling a car that was still in manufacturers warranty, and was in good nick with low miles but due to a manufacturing fault had a brand new engine fitted would you buy it?

This very question is causing me some concern

[STW2010]

I would want a good warranty on the engine specifically, and any related parts. Otherwise, it wouldn't bother me as long as I was confident that the fault was the engine, and not caused by some other part (i.e. that the new engine wasn't going to be damaged later on).

[jamoor]

If he didnt tell you, you wouldnt know any better!

It wouldn't worry me as it was fitteed under warranty.

[andy-xr]

If it added up on price and value for money it wouldn't put me off

[fluffnik]

Provided the engine doesn't suffer from a design flaw that means the replacement will go pop too I see no problem.

[LukeSi]

Depends on the car. Something like an MX5 I wouldn't give it a second thought, and a high mileage car I would think, good that means one less thing to go wrong. Something newer though, say within 3 years old I would start to ask questions.

[pinchmeimdreamin]

LukeSi said:

Depends on the car. Something like an MX5 I wouldn't give it a second thought, and a high mileage car I would think, good that means one less thing to go wrong. Something newer though, say within 3 years old I would start to ask questions.

You missed the part about still in manafacturers warranty then

[otolith]

If an engine is replaced in warranty, it's often because it is cheaper to replace than to repair at main dealer rates. If the owner were paying, getting it repaired at a back street garage would often be an option - which would you rather have?

[Herman Toothrot]

Yes, certain Porsches I'd hope to see a non-original engine fitted as so many early ones (996) failed.

[J4CKO]

A selling point I would say, well, if its done by a reputable company with a warranty, even if it isnt as long as it passes the usual checks and it doesnt look illegal then its not an issue.

[justayellowbadge]

Yep, no issues whatsoever.

[Globs]

insanojackson said:

So, say a private seller was selling a car that was still in manufacturers warranty, and was in good nick with low miles but due to a manufacturing fault had a brand new engine fitted would you buy it?

This very question is causing me some concern

If it was a water cooled Porsche I would insist upon it..

[Dalto123]

Never, only want a car with an original engine. A car with a replacement engine just seems wrong to me

[cuprabob]

No issues what so ever, went through the experience last year on my R32 after 4 years and 65k miles due to a porous block.

One thing to note is that you don't get any extra warranty with the new engine. The warranty expires at the same time as if it had not been changed.

[justayellowbadge]

Dalto123 said:

Never, only want a car with an original engine. A car with a replacement engine just seems wrong to me

[rallycross]

Dalto123 said:

Never, only want a car with an original engine. A car with a replacement engine just seems wrong to me

Not really, it depends why.
Eg
A friend of mine drove his 12 month old 10,000 miles r32 golf through a deep puddle, engine took water in;
Insurance paid for a full new engine from Vw, with a warranty.
Nothing wrong with that.

[Speedracer329]

Dalto123 said:

Never, only want a car with an original engine. A car with a replacement engine just seems wrong to me

Thats funny

I suspect that many Jag & Beemer owners (& possibly others), were overjoyed to have new engines installed in their motors as a consequence of the well known nikasil problem of the mid 90's.

[cuprabob]

rallycross said:

Not really, it depends why.
Eg
A friend of mine drove his 12 month old 10,000 miles r32 golf through a deep puddle, engine took water in;
Insurance paid for a full new engine from Vw, with a warranty.
Nothing wrong with that.

Must have been a really deep puddle to do this with the standard air intake. Heard it happening with CAIs but it obviously didn't have one of them or insurance wouldn't have paid out

[Allblackdup]

Would this be a cause for concern when or of it came to re-selling?

I'd definitely have to weigh it all up and establish if it was still a good buy etc

[VeeFour]

New engine, fitted by a main dealer as a warranty fix - no problem.

Engine with number ground off, fitted by dodgy Dave's engine emporium... no chance.