Help Me Understand Amber Warnings from Car Service

radderfire · 5 Jul 2012 at 18:28

Hi Guys

I have just had my 2005 Ford Focus in at a Ford Main Dealer for a service and MOT. I got all the required work done, but there were various amber warnings on the car. You don't get to speak directly to the service technicians, so I find it difficult to understand the best course of action to take with these warnings. Below is a list of items, so any comments or advice on whether it would be a good idea to address any of these sooner rather than later? Or should I just leave them and keep an eye on things?? Thanks.

Amber - O/S front tyre, 3.1 to 5mm of tread.

Amber - Underside of vehicle very rusty. (That's because I used to park not far from the sea, not sure that anything can be done about this??)

Amber - Exhaust mounts very rusty.

Amber - Both rear shock covers corroded.

Amber - Rear trailing arm bushes starting to split.

Amber - Weep from O/S front shock.

Amber - N/S lower arm bush starting to split.

Thanks

[TW]Fox · 5 Jul 2012 at 18:33

radderfire said:
Amber - O/S front tyre, 3.1 to 5mm of tread.

Nothing wrong here at all.

Amber - Underside of vehicle very rusty. (That's because I used to park not far from the sea, not sure that anything can be done about this??)

No big deal.

Amber - Exhaust mounts very rusty.

No big deal really, replace when they break.

Amber - Rear trailing arm bushes starting to split.

Replace bushes. Not expensive.

Amber - Weep from O/S front shock.

Replace both front shocks. Some people might disagree but tbh this one is dying so you may as well refresh them.

Amber - N/S lower arm bush starting to split.

Replace N/S and O/S lower arm bushes. You might find it easier to get the whole arms done - more parts cost but lower labour costs, not sure how hard it is on the Focus.

radderfire · 5 Jul 2012 at 18:46

Thank you Fox, that is very helpful.

As I work from home, I only drive the car once or twice a week and then not far. As it's a diesel, I'm thinking about selling the car and swapping to a petrol when I can afford it. With this in mind would you say it would be dangerous or unsensible not to get any of the work you suggested done? The dealer quotes start to add up considering the value of the car is probably around £3,800.

Thanks

radderfire · 5 Jul 2012 at 18:47

I will post the dealer quotes in a sec.

radderfire · 5 Jul 2012 at 18:49

Rear trailing arm bushes starting to split £190

Weep from O/S front shock £190, so I guess that's £380 for both.

N/S lower arm bush starting to split £270, so I guess that's £540 for both.

Rgds

[TW]Fox · 5 Jul 2012 at 18:50

I wouldnt be rushing in to do everything I said if you don't intend on keeping the car.

Maz · 5 Jul 2012 at 18:51

Ouch and this is where they make their money!

Take it to a reputable independant who will replace those with parts on par with the original parts at half the cost!

Defcon5 · 5 Jul 2012 at 18:52

Massive rip off ^

If you are selling it dont do anything - nothing there of any significance.

radderfire · 5 Jul 2012 at 18:56

Maz said:
Ouch and this is where they make their money!

Take it to a reputable independant who will replace those with parts on par with the original parts at half the cost!

Given the value of the car now I think it may well be time to switch to an independant.

realscot · 5 Jul 2012 at 20:36

The only thing worth fixing on that list will be the shock absorber in a few months perhaps. The bushes all look "split" once they are that old, yet they in no way affect performance and give no excess movement, so I wouldn't worry about them.
The only other thing i'd do is find an independant to waxoil the underneath of the car, we do it for around £30-40 depending on size of car so look for quotes around that?
Typical main dealer zomg a slightly cracked bush over reaction.

radderfire · 6 Jul 2012 at 11:17

Thanks for the helpful reply realscot.