Issues with car I want to buy

[Bisonhead]

Hi all, looking to buy a 9-5 HOT Aero. Took it out for a test drive last night and half way through the EML came on.

The seller said the car had been sitting for 2 months over christmas bur started first time without issue. Has recently had a lot of work done eg new turbo, exhaust etc.

Car seemed to drive very well with no judders, hiccups or issues accelerating/modulating throttle.

I have also put this thread in the SAAB forum but would like advice quickly

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks

[V88Dicky]

Get someone, preferably a friend, to read the code with a scan tool. It's most likely an O2 sensor.

[mrmr96]

Get the code read. Could be something small, but at the moment it's "his problem" so make sure you don't make it "your problem"!

[Bisonhead]

He has agreed to look into it before I buy and said he will get back to me. Lovely car otherwise.

How much to O2 sensors cost for these sorts of cars, any idea?

[Bisonhead]

£80 to buy, 2 hours labour?

[confused_buyer]

Bisonhead said:

£80 to buy, 2 hours labour?

2 hours?! More like 5 minutes.

[V88Dicky]

confused_buyer said:

2 hours?! More like 5 minutes.

Unplug, unscrew old one.

Screw in new sensor, re-connect connector.

It's that simple!

[Jimmyarm]

Odds on the code is p0420.

As above it will need a cat and or oxygen sensors.

You can do a fair few miles in these after you reset the light before it pops back on

[Bisonhead]

Interesting! Is the CAT straight forward as well? I can do basics like exhausts, brakes etc.

[Al K]

OP, I had exactly the same happen when selling my last car around xmas. I had already bought my replacement, so my old one had been sat in the drive for a while. Half way through a test drive with a prospective buyer, the EML light came on.

It was an o2 sensor - which I got replaced. Throughout the process I kept the prospective-buyer aware of what was going on. He offered to contribute towards the cost but I declined - it was (at that time) my car so it was my problem.

Not sure what the issue is here? If the seller is refusing to sort it: walk away. He'll have to get it sorted anyway as a blinking EML is hardly going to help his sale with future buyers. Let the seller know you are very interested in the car IF the issue is sorted.

On no account buy the car with EML issue un-sorted: why should you? Once it's been done check the paperwork and do another test drive.

[Bisonhead]

We have agreed that I (or likely anyone else) wont buy unless it is fixed. If he does get it sorted and shows me paperwork of job done I will buy there and then.

Is it wrong to keep in contact with him to ask how things are getting on or should I wait for him to call me? Not sure of the etiquette here. I want the car and I want it now!

[Jimmyarm]

Bisonhead said:

Interesting! Is the CAT straight forward as well? I can do basics like exhausts, brakes etc.

Reasonably on these depending on the state of clamps etc.

They are about £260 ish for a half decent aftermarket one though.

Is it a trader or a private sale ?

If the later and you can get the codes read it could be quite a good bargaining tool if the seller just wants shot

My mums partner has one and the eml light comes on every couple of thousand miles. I just reset it for him, if it fails the mot then we will change bits

If it's a trader they will probably just reset the light. Assuming it is the fault code I said then someone who knows what they are doing needs to check if the O2 sensors are working correctly to determine if it is one of those or the cat itself.

[Al K]

Bisonhead said:

We have agreed that I (or likely anyone else) wont buy unless it is fixed. If he does get it sorted and shows me paperwork of job done I will buy there and then.

Is it wrong to keep in contact with him to ask how things are getting on or should I wait for him to call me? Not sure of the etiquette here. I want the car and I want it now!

It's fair to contact him to reiterate that you want the car and are waiting for it - so you would be grateful if he kept you informed on progress, beyond that don't hassle unless there's radio silence for a while.

BTW - still do another test drive when all is sorted just to make sure the ecu hasn't just been reset to hide the eml light.

[Bisonhead]

Chap phoned me say that he has it booked into the local Saab main dealer to diagnose and MOT! He will repair it regardless and discuss price when work has been carried out.

He reckoned the EML came one after he put £15 worth of Tesco petrol in. Do you think this is a likely cause?

[RP1]

When i bought the Mrs's 9-5 HOT Aero the EML came on halfway home. Diagnosed it when i got home as i have a scan tool. Code pointed me in direction of wastegate solenoid or something iirc. Turned out it was a vacuum hose slightly degraded and popped off. Had a length of silicone hose in the garage. 5 min fix. Sorted. It had been stood around for a month or so before i bought it so could well be something simple like that.

[Bisonhead]

Turns out it was the vacuum hose!

Havent bought the car yet but it has failed the MOT. OS Track Rod Ball Joint Cover, OS front to rear break line and a windscreen.

The car was up for £1500 but the seller has offered it to me for £500 as it is. Is this a good deal?

I am not sure how much the work will come to yet but shirley it wont be £1000?

[matthias73]

buy it.

[woody2846]

Whats the age and mileage of the Saab?

[Bisonhead]

It's a 2000 x reg with 83000 miles, fsh, all the stamps, new turbo, rear suspension bushes, refurbed alloys. In good nick I think!

[HannahB]

£500? That's a billy bargain. Buy buy buy!