Things to look out for on the 1.4

thestable

Member
My long suffering dad is going to have a look at a fairly clean looking A2 1.4 this afternoon.

It appears to be very basic spec. No roof. No fogs. No climate.

That doesn’t bother me so much as it’s a low mileage engine. Bodywork looks clean. So my question to the gurus and kind contributors of this unique forum is.

What are the key things he should check for?

The ad is on gumtree. In Clapham. For £800. It’s 75k. Dark blue.

Things like Petrol release buttons. Windows. Overall condition of the interior is a no brainer I guess. But he knows plenty about cars but not if there are key things to look for with this. A2’s he knows very little about.


I see on the mot history it’s had issues with roll bar linkages and headlight issues. But nothing too major I can see. If I get it I’d like to possibly change to sports steering wheel and tap up the ad fro, Birchall about the sports wheels for sale. But not doing anything until i have something in my possession.

Many thanks.


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Things to look for I suppose, basic things like make sure if the Cambelt was done recently? If not, why not and budget for that to be done ~£100 - £150. Also, make sure that if it HAS been done they did the water pump at the same time, as these can fail as well with similarly catastrophic failure.

Make sure the side skirts are straight, and showing no signs of creasing/cracks where some numpty garage has tried to jack it up in the wrong place.

The engine undertray is a nicety, but not essential, as is DIS (expensive retro-fit) and BOSE.

Actually, I just found the advert, shame about the aftermarket stereo, but that's fixable. But 7,300 Miles :eek: I did a check on the Cazana check - Click here and I think it's supposed to be 73,000 miles (unless they've clocked it!)

*** Just in case you're interested I have a couple of Sports Steering wheels for sale at the moment - PM me if you're interested. ***
 
Things to look for I suppose, basic things like make sure if the Cambelt was done recently? If not, why not and budget for that to be done ~£100 - £150. Also, make sure that if it HAS been done they did the water pump at the same time, as these can fail as well with similarly catastrophic failure.

Make sure the side skirts are straight, and showing no signs of creasing/cracks where some numpty garage has tried to jack it up in the wrong place.

The engine undertray is a nicety, but not essential, as is DIS (expensive retro-fit) and BOSE.

Actually, I just found the advert, shame about the aftermarket stereo, but that's fixable. But 7,300 Miles :eek: I did a check on the Cazana check - Click here and I think it's supposed to be 73,000 miles (unless they've clocked it!)

*** Just in case you're interested I have a couple of Sports Steering wheels for sale at the moment - PM me if you're interested. ***

I shall defo tap you up if I go for it. It is a shame it’s a real low spec one. But if it’s good. It will be enough for what I need. And a bit of a project too.


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I shall defo tap you up if I go for it. It is a shame it’s a real low spec one. But if it’s good. It will be enough for what I need. And a bit of a project too.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

That's the spirit, the good thing about A2s (and especially this community) is the ability to (relatively) cheaply update them as you go. Be patient, and you can create a great motor, and customise it to your needs/wishes.
 
This looks like a nice cheap 1.4. No one one here is it?

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We have a 1.4 on the driveway that was bought for my son to learn to drive in, we had it since August. One thing that really caught me out was the exhaust, it was leaking and too rusty to repair, so we had to get a new one and it was an absolute bitch to fit, but I only had the car on ramps and trolley jacks.
The parts for the cam belt are over £100 and if you need to pay someone I would add another £200 to that at least, that can make it a more expensive car.
Also look for broken rear springs, perished rubber spring seats and bump stops (all of these needed replacing on ours) and check for any rough running/engine lights. Rough running can be as simple as changing the coil packs or spark plugs.
The best thing you can do is get a code reader or VCDS software to check for engine faults.

Good luck.
 
What is the highest mileage achieved / achievable for a well-looked after 1.4 AUA engined car?

I'm picking one up on Saturday that is on 178k and change. Unless there is good documentation suggesting a belt change has been done in the last year or so I'm probably going to get that done and a fluids and filters service - everything else is basic spannering as far as I can tell (discs, rear shocks, undertray etc.).
 
My 1.4 2001 Petrol will hit 212,000 miles next week. I do 26,000 miles a year in it and its never ever let me down.
Last year I took it to both Scotland from London & Lands End. It never missed a beat.
I feel it will go to 300k if you a) look after it b) repair it in a timely fashion.
Tony from A2 Cars looked after mine and said to "drive it and enjoy it". When it needs a repair I'll sort it .............so sad he passed away.
Last major works was oil pump went at 185,000 cost £550. Still on original clutch , exhaust and never changed any coils packs or had misfire's of any sort in my 9 years of ownership. Purchased in Dec 2009 @46,000. Recently fitted red leather (from Jeremy) and will source and fit an original concert cd player and new door switches. Once the alloys are refurb'd and the bumpers re-sprayed nothing can beat a good looking silver A2 for looks IMO even with 200k plus on the clock. There nothing I want to swap it with to be fair.
Only thing to mention was it always cut out in traffic when first purchased , idling, slowing down it'll switch off ........a £49 software update in Jan 2010 fully sorted it. It never cut out again.
I also have a FSI Colour Storm (looks amazing) which has been nothing but trouble in my one year of ownership ......................coolant loss, blown hoses , broken down , misfires but when its fully sorted and driving properly its a different animal to the 1.4 petrol , a joy to drive and so rev happy ...............just not as reliable obviously. Enjoy your A2.
 
That's good to hear - there are loads of threads here describing the indestructability of the 1.4tdi (my daily car), but faced with a 1.4i at the price I got it for the higher mileage was worth a punt as a car for my significant other providing I can keep it running. Thank you for your helpful comments!
 
My 1.4 2001 Petrol will hit 212,000 miles next week. I do 26,000 miles a year in it and its never ever let me down.
Last year I took it to both Scotland from London & Lands End. It never missed a beat.
I feel it will go to 300k if you a) look after it b) repair it in a timely fashion.
Tony from A2 Cars looked after mine and said to "drive it and enjoy it". When it needs a repair I'll sort it .............so sad he passed away.
Last major works was oil pump went at 185,000 cost £550. Still on original clutch , exhaust and never changed any coils packs or had misfire's of any sort in my 9 years of ownership. Purchased in Dec 2009 @46,000. Recently fitted red leather (from Jeremy) and will source and fit an original concert cd player and new door switches. Once the alloys are refurb'd and the bumpers re-sprayed nothing can beat a good looking silver A2 for looks IMO even with 200k plus on the clock. There nothing I want to swap it with to be fair.
Only thing to mention was it always cut out in traffic when first purchased , idling, slowing down it'll switch off ........a £49 software update in Jan 2010 fully sorted it. It never cut out again.
I also have a FSI Colour Storm (looks amazing) which has been nothing but trouble in my one year of ownership ......................coolant loss, blown hoses , broken down , misfires but when its fully sorted and driving properly its a different animal to the 1.4 petrol , a joy to drive and so rev happy ...............just not as reliable obviously. Enjoy your A2.
A rare petrol candidate for the 200k club. If you want to record this achievement take a pic of the mileage and post in

https://www.a2oc.net/community/inde...st-mileage-a2-and-the-200k-club.30765/page-10

No doubt A2Steve will be pleased to add you to the roll of honour on page 1.

Andy
 
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