Think I've been misled

Brok · 4 Dec 2006 at 18:59

I bought my first car about 4 weeks ago, and it was advertised as having ABS. I specifically asked the dealer if it had ABS when we went to see it, and he said yes.

However, in the manual it says that when I turn the ignition on there should be an (ABS) warning light flash on briefly, but my car does not have that light.

So, either the ABS light is not working, or the car isnt fitted with it. Is there any way to tell, other than obviously inducing a skid, if my car is fitted with ABS or not? Its a 2001 Ford Focus.

If it turns out not to have it, do I have any comeback with the dealer?

Matthew.M · 4 Dec 2006 at 19:01

Is it pre-facelift or post? It was only fitted as standard when the facelift model was introduced.

Mr Jack · 4 Dec 2006 at 19:02

Do an emergency stop by simply standing on the brakes (none of this progressive braking stuff). If it has ABS you should feel a judder towards the end of the braking period as the ABS cuts in.

What model of Focus is it?

If it doesn't have ABS, you are entitled to your money back as the goods are not as described.

[TW]Fox · 4 Dec 2006 at 19:03

Mr Jack said:
If it doesn't have ABS, you are entitled to your money back as the goods are not as described.

Unfortunately it is far from that simple with cars

Chabsy · 4 Dec 2006 at 19:04

it could be the fuse on the abs is either blown or has been pulled, if its been pulled chances are the was a fault and the light stayed on. Check the fuse

I had a 2001 focus 1.8 ghia and that didnt have it which surprised me but it was a company car

Ev0 · 4 Dec 2006 at 19:06

Chabsy said:
What car is it

Brok said:
Its a 2001 Ford Focus.

Chabsy · 4 Dec 2006 at 19:08

sorry I thought i could get away with a ninja edit there i didnt read the thread properly

"andy" · 4 Dec 2006 at 19:08

he means which model

damn well the ninja edit tricked me lol

Tesla · 4 Dec 2006 at 19:09

Maybe there is an ABS fault so the bulb was removed?

Brok · 4 Dec 2006 at 19:09

Its pre-facelift but ABS was available as an option before then. Thats what I thought I was getting :/

Chabsy · 4 Dec 2006 at 19:10

andy8271 said:
he means which model

damn well the ninja edit tricked me lol

Err yeah thats what i meant...............

Mr Jack · 4 Dec 2006 at 19:13

[TW]Fox said:
Unfortunately it is far from that simple with cars

No, it is that simple. He bought from a dealer; if the goods are not as described by the dealer he has a legal right to his money back.

It's getting it that may be difficult.

[TW]Fox · 4 Dec 2006 at 19:14

Mr Jack said:
No, it is that simple. He bought from a dealer; if the goods are not as described by the dealer he has a legal right to his money back.

A month after buying it after putting anything up to 1000 miles on it? It is NOT that simple..

Malt_Vinegar · 4 Dec 2006 at 19:16

Can you prove that when sold it was sold as an ABS equipped model? By prove i mean, waggle a bit of paper with the information written on it?

Mr Jack · 4 Dec 2006 at 19:19

[TW]Fox said:
A month after buying it after putting anything up to 1000 miles on it? It is NOT that simple..

Oops, missed that bit of the post. I'd assumed he'd had it a few days.

Legally speaking he is still entitled to a partial refund at the very least. However, unless the dealer is willing to co-operate it would mean a court case.

VR46 · 4 Dec 2006 at 19:57

I don't know a lot about cars, but maybe you could record your VIN number and request a Ford Dealer to cross reference it?

I don't know though, because isn't ABS sometimes an optional extra?

Conscript · 4 Dec 2006 at 20:03

I have a 1999 V reg Focus which is without ABS. Something Im gonna have to just deal with. However, it does have an ABS light; it doesn't come on at ignition, but it will show when I run the bulb test.

If your worried about a dodgy warning lamp, do the following.

- Hold down your odometer reset button.
- Whilst keeping this held in, start the engine.
- Keep the button pressed in. After about 2 seconds the display should read TEST. Release the button.
- Press the odo button once and it will test the dials and GAGE will show on the display.
- Press a second time and it will show BULB. This should illuminate all of the warning lamps on the dash.

Like I said, when I did this on mine, it showed an ABS light and the overdrive light, despite mine being a manual Focus with no ABS installed.

I guess if you don't see an ABS light, it could mean that you do have it installed, but it's just the lamp that isn't illuminating. As someone else said, best way is to find somewhere nice and quiet and just do some emergency braking.

silversurfer · 4 Dec 2006 at 20:29

Just braking on some gravel or dirt should send it berserk if it has abs

Have the hand brake ready because Ive had the pedal go to the floor at a grand speed of 5mph trying just that

Unless you have 'sold with ABS ' written on the receipt or somewhere, its just a verbal contract isnt it

Nor · 4 Dec 2006 at 21:14

Can't really help you regarding your car, but in my opinion, ABS isn't that great. I much prefer doing it manually. Never had a good experience of ABS kicking in.

Guigsy · 4 Dec 2006 at 21:39

Nor said:
Can't really help you regarding your car, but in my opinion, ABS isn't that great. I much prefer doing it manually. Never had a good experience of ABS kicking in.

Do you know what ABS is for?