Hi all,

Returning old time member here. I used to come on here for my grande punto spoting (57). Now i am here to ask a question about a car we are about to buy for my fiancé, an 08 Panda 1.3 multiject Active (with Air Con).

We test drove the car at the weekend and decided to buy it. It s only done 26k miles and had one lady owner. The issue is the engine management light was on. The independent dealer we are buying it from say the fault is the cat. He has promised to replace it before we pick it up next week (as well had have a scratch repared in the body shop).

The question is, is this normal for a car of this age/mileage? Can I do anything to verify that this is the fault and how do I know he has fixed the car and not just cleared the fault?

Thanks in advance

tommy_8884 said:

The independent dealer we are buying it from say the fault is the cat.
Thanks in advance

Click to expand...

It doesn't have a cat - it's a diesel car!

Diesel 500's have a DPF (particulate filter) instead. They need to regenerate from time to time & will not be able to do so properly if only driven on short journeys. This may be what has happened to the car you are considering buying.

Another issue is that frequent abortive regeneration attempts will seriously degrade the oil & cars used for many short journeys may need the oil changing as often as every 3-4000 miles. If this is not done, serious engine wear or even the total destruction of the engine can result (we had one on the forum just last week) & replacing the DPF will not correct it. It is important to make sure the car you are planning to buy has had its engine oil changed every time the oil change warning has indicated - if it's only had one or two oil changes since '08, or there isn't a detailed service history showing exactly when the oil was changed, you need to walk away from this car.

Unless your GF is planning to drive at least 18,000 miles per year, I would seriously reconsider your choice of a diesel 500.

***EDIT***

Forget most of this - for some reason, I thought I was in the 500 section.

AFAIK the '08 Panda Mjet doesn't have a DPF - perhaps another owner would care to clarify? Whatever, you need to be asking the dealer some serious questions if the engine management light is on...

Hi,

Thanks for your response. I thought it did have a DPF, as the road licence is only £30. Are you sure the diesel Panda has no cat? Google seems to think some modern cars do?

My Mrs will be doing about 15k a year. I do 11k in my 2.0 diesel sirocco and the DPF has no issues doing its burn on my 50 mph 15 mile drive to work. The diesel should be fine for here

I have an 08 Panda Multijet. To the best of my knowledge the car does have a catalytic converter and no DPF. E Learn and Haynes Manual describe how to remove and replace the catalytic converter. My previous diesel cars (3 corsas and a Punto) all had cats. Although I have had no trouble, I believe they can become blocked or malfunction, which may account for the problem you describe. I only do a small mileage but car has been trouble free. (43K miles so far)

PeterMJ said:

I have an 08 Panda Multijet. To the best of my knowledge the car does have a catalytic converter and no DPF. E Learn and Haynes Manual describe how to remove and replace the catalytic converter. My previous diesel cars (3 corsas and a Punto) all had cats. Although I have had no trouble, I believe they can become blocked or malfunction, which may account for the problem you describe. I only do a small mileage but car has been trouble free. (43K miles so far)

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Thanks for this. I feel less worried now

Although its odd that it has gone if its only done 26k. Maybe the oil was over filled damaging the cat. The car has had 3 or 4 full services. As long as they replace it I will be happy.

I will call him tonight and ask for the fault code, just to be sure.

I had a reply from the delaer.

"You are right the cat is fine, the fault is rectified by replacing the EGR valve. From memory the fault code is P0401. We have received a new EGR valve today which will be fitted tomorrow.

Apologies for the confusion.

Regards"


I am much happier now!

I am sure you will be very pleased with the car.