Citroen berlingo - MOT and costumer rights question

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Sat 27 May 2023 13:13
Citroen berlingo - MOT and costumer rights question - FP23

Hello everyone,

I just got a new car with a complete clean MOT, not a single remark. I bought it on the day of the test. I just got the car now and detected that the left back lights have a electric issue that was detected on the day I bought it but was dismissed as a faulty lightbulb. It seems to be a problem with the electric connection of the all set since they only work sometimes. Then I also detected all this rust that can be seen on the pictures I'll leave below. Shouldn't it be remarked on the MOT? Will this be a problem in the future? Do I have ground to return the car under the costumer rights act 2015?

ibb.co/VYJhxMz

ibb.co/vQ4N6CX

ibb.co/brz9Btc

ibb.co/9p9yJfy

ibb.co/48k4nBJ

ibb.co/vQHbN94

Thank you for your help!

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Sat 27 May 2023 14:02
Citroen berlingo - MOT and costumer rights question - elekie&a/c doctor
How old is your “new “ car and how many miles has it done? Have you checked previous mot history?
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Sat 27 May 2023 14:06
Citroen berlingo - MOT and costumer rights question - FP23

It's from 2008. There are no mention of rust anywere in the MOT and the last one doesn´t have any kind of remark and I know that a faulty light would be enough to fail. Can this rust be considered normal wear and tear?

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Sat 27 May 2023 14:15
Citroen berlingo - MOT and costumer rights question - gordonbennet
Thats subframe suspension and exhaust rust, absolutely normal and typical of a car that age that hasn't been purposefully and regularly treated with various rustproofing products over the years.

If rust is in the bodyshell itself, inner wings wheelarches sills bottoms of doors etc the you might have some concerns, as it is i would take some action to help prevent further rusting of the items, but 99.999% of people wouldn't do anything to it.

Anyone not disabled could have looked under the back of that vehicle and seen all of that before buying.
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Sat 27 May 2023 14:24
Citroen berlingo - MOT and costumer rights question - FP23

I understand it was a mistake of mine not checking it and although the circunstances of the buying have some nuances, I will not make escuses for my mistakes. But here a question remains, wouldn´t this rusk on the suspention and exhaust be noted on the MOT?

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Sat 27 May 2023 14:21
Citroen berlingo - MOT and costumer rights question - badbusdriver

On my VW Caddy, I've had faulty light warnings pop up and then go again within one journey, and it is 2 years younger than your Berlingo. Besides, how long do you think it takes for a bulb to go?

As for the rust, apart from the exhaust, it looks like surface rust, so a wire brush and some appropriate sealer would prevent things getting too bad. The exhaust is a consumable, as long as it isn't burst, I wouldn't worry about it.

But your expectations should be in line with the age of the vehicle and how much was paid. 15 years old is getting on a bit and (assuming it is a van rather than a car) it's quite likely to have lead a hard life.

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Sat 27 May 2023 14:31
Citroen berlingo - MOT and costumer rights question - badbusdriver

But here a question remains, wouldn´t this rusk on the suspention and exhaust be noted on the MOT?

On the suspension?, maybe but not necessarily in the case of (easily treatable) surface rust. Depends on the examiner. As for the exhaust, as long as it is doing its job, the rust isn't really a problem.

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Sat 27 May 2023 14:49
Citroen berlingo - MOT and costumer rights question - FP23

I really appreciate all the answers guys.

About the light, it´s not just one light, because they have been changed, but the all of them and it is clearly a problem on the connection and even when we can make it work, just some turn on.

I understand the car is old and I'm not expecting it to be perfect, but a mechanic friend from my country told me this car wouldn't pass on the MOT there and I am just trying to understand if because the climate is different here it would affect also the way the MOT is made.

I leave some more pictures if you guys don't mind to check it. I just don't want to go around with the car and in one year not be able to use it anymore because I also know I over paid for it but once again, the circunstances were special.

https://ibb.co/hKh1SzS

https://ibb.co/jVRpdkW

https://ibb.co/tZSpvK3

https://ibb.co/PFh07CT

https://ibb.co/v4RLNgN

https://ibb.co/1M5cknd

https://ibb.co/2h0Tb9f

https://ibb.co/qYLQcj0

https://ibb.co/BqzTNmY

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Sat 27 May 2023 15:21
Citroen berlingo - MOT and costumer rights question - elekie&a/c doctor
Poor connections to the rear lights is pretty much standard on these , especially at 15 years old . If you’re worried about the condition of the car , put it in for another mot .
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Sat 27 May 2023 16:41
Citroen berlingo - MOT and costumer rights question - FP23

Thank you, yeah I was thinking maybe that will be the best option

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Sun 28 May 2023 02:53
Citroen berlingo - MOT and costumer rights question - Crickleymal

I can't see anything that would give me cause for concern given the age of the car. Take a wire brush to it and some rust eater followed by some underseal. I think you're over thinking this.

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Mon 29 May 2023 06:06
Citroen berlingo - MOT and costumer rights question - edlithgow

I can't see anything that would give me cause for concern given the age of the car. Take a wire brush to it and some rust eater followed by some underseal. I think you're over thinking this.

Dont do that. Wire brush if you want, but no underseal. Spray it with oil
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Sun 28 May 2023 08:38
Citroen berlingo - MOT and costumer rights question - SLO76
That looks really solid underneath for its age, if it had lived its life to date in my neighbourhood (west of Scotland) it would be absolutely rotten, I wouldn’t expect advisories based on those pics. Only concern is the lights, get it to a local auto electrician to be properly rectified. Mechanics are useless with electrical issues.

As for returning the car, it’s a 15yr old budget motor, you can’t possibly guarantee something like this. You have to expect regular faults and maintenance issues and this isn’t a major problem. You need to be realistic at this end of the market. You haven’t bought a £15000 3yr old car here.

Edited by SLO76 on 28/05/2023 at 08:40

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Sun 28 May 2023 10:04
Citroen berlingo - MOT and costumer rights question - paul 1963

'My' Berlingo van is on a 19 plate, looks about the same as that underneath tbh. Really wouldn't worry about it to much, if you are worried then have a look at the recent thread on rust prevention and be prepared to get dirty!

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Sat 27 May 2023 16:43
Citroen berlingo - MOT and costumer rights question - bathtub tom

Reckon the only thing you should be worried about is the spare wheel. I'd have it off to check it was still serviceable.

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Sun 28 May 2023 12:58
Citroen berlingo - MOT and costumer rights question - Adampr

Reckon the only thing you should be worried about is the spare wheel. I'd have it off to check it was still serviceable.

Agreed. I was about to say it all looks remarkably un-rusty apart from the spare wheel. That might clean up OK once it's off.

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Sun 28 May 2023 14:21
Citroen berlingo - MOT and costumer rights question - gordonbennet
When i've had underslung spare wheels they get removed, cleaned up, coated with something suitable then folded into a thick black plastic bin bag before being put back underneath, you can poke valve up through a hole and tape it so the hole is waterproof so its still accessible for pressure checking, when you remove it sometimes years later, tyre and wheel in good condition because never seen light or weather.

The other thing i'd suggest the OP does is grease the spare wheel securing bolt, looks like the spare hasn't been off for years.
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Sun 28 May 2023 15:55
Citroen berlingo - MOT and costumer rights question - FP23

Thank you all! I guess I am over thinking it. I'm stressed because I went to pick the car because I need it for a big travel and not being able to do it because it isn't in conditions for it just upsetted me.

Anyway, I really apreciate all the advice given

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