I am thinking of bidding on a 2001 3.0 S Type with DSC & ABS warning light showing, it has a new mot and looks in good nick with 101k on it, having quickly looked through the forum for possible causes for the warning lights, first port of call is check that the battery is good, if that is ok what would the next check be ? Seller has been told that it's a ABS sensor at fault ? Auction finishes tonight. Thanks in advance.

Hi Tony and welcome to the club.

 

The S type is a great car, but like most modern cars does need a big battery.

 

Some owners of older S types have found some rust under the plastic sill covers, but if it has a fresh MOT they should be in reasonable condition.

 

It seems that ABS sensors generating a fault is not unusual, and there will be plenty of members who have experienced that.

 

The main point now to look for is the service history and if the bodywork is nice and straight, and the paintwork is good.

 

Let us know how you get on.

 

Regards

 

Peter.

I'd be a bit concerned that it got a new MOT with an ABS warning light Tony.

I'd be a bit concerned that it got a new MOT with an ABS warning light Tony.

I didn't think of that!  I wonder if the MOT came before the warning light came on, or that the "new" MOT is not that new.

 

Is it possible to see the car before bidding?

 

Peter.

Alternatively, the MOT was done without ever seeing the car in question.

 

May be nothing Tony but I think you might want to be sure before committing yourself.

Thanks for the quick reply's, unfortunately no time to view the car before auction ends also there is no service history. It as been used as part of a wedding hire fleet (3 cars all Jaguar) which the vendor is now giving up (all 3 cars are for sale by the way). If I can get it cheap enough it might be worth the gamble ? I have asked for the mot number so I can check online.

Have you got a link for the auction Tony?

Just checked online and as come up as no mot ! Here's a link http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/JAGUAR-S-TYPE-/111774613153?hash=item1a06493ea1

Sorry Tony, this isn't what you want to hear, but I would walk away from that one.

 

It might well be perfectly above board but alarm bells are ringing and, most importantly, there will be a better one along soon... there always is.

 

Just my opinion of course.

Mmmm, that's what I'm beginning to think. It wouldn't have been my first choice really, I am looking for a more classic Jaguar as my long term plan is to start doing the odd occasional wedding , as I want to wind down my obligation to work most weekends at work. Thought this might have been an ideal 2nd wedding car.

Hi Tony, 

 

I agree with Paul.  Walk away.

 

My son bought a Mondeo Estate from a guy on ebay in Bristol, and I took him down to collect it.

 

When he got it home he found that the air conditioning did not work and the repair was very expensive.  Add to that the engine waring light came on and £250 paid to correct it.  It passed the MOT OK but a few months later he rang me up and asked if I could tow him home as he had broken down100 yards from home.

 

A bit of research later, and my mobile mechanic found that there was a vital engine part of inferior quality which Ford knew about but never recalled the model.  Replacement Engine £1600. 

 

The right car will come along.