Hi Guys n Girls

Newbie to the world of mini's here so go easy on me!

I am hoping that one of you nice folk will be good enough to lend 5 minutes of your time/knowledge.

I've just bought my first ''Dooper'' which I absolutely love. Unfortunately I've had the DPF fault light come on, yikes!

I've done a bit of reading on this and understand that this pug engine in the Mini should activate an auto-regen. Despite that I know this engine on fords/Peugeot's requires a manual regen, so gave her a good spanking yesterday which initially seemed to clear the light (when re-started) but then today it came back on.

It doesn't help that I think there may be a slight electrical issue with the car, I've had dash lights for ''pass air bag off'' intermittently lit on start up and also external light failure warning light.

I've seen there are treatments for the DPF, however I do not want to spend money on this if its actually something faulty elsewhere causing the light to come on. If I get a diagnostics test done will it just reflect what the display is showing or will it know 100% if the DPF is knackered?

I've also been told by my local mechanic that once the DPF fault is up that the ECU will NOT perform a regen until the code is cleared, is this true?

The car seems to perform ok, although av mpg is only 46 for combined usage so a little low.

Bought this only 1 week ago from a garage 150miles away, with a third party warranty that does not cover the DPF, but they have said if I return to them they will ''sort it out'', presumably free of charge. My concern with this is they just clear the code and send me on my way.

I don't mind losing a further few hundred quid fixing it without the hassle of going up to them, however if I encounter a spiderweb of faults a)it will cost me more than I am willing to spend and b)the supplier will then most likely not be liable to help if I go to local mechanic

What do you think I should do? Should I take it back to them? Get my money back? Get it diagnosed locally and if confirmed get it flushed/gutted out/remapped?

I spent ages looking for a car and this stretched my finances to the max, whilst I understand these mini's need regular investment and tlc I am concerned I have walked in to a bit of a money pit - I do NOT want that!

Thanks for all your help, its much appreciated!

Rory

 

Wonder what he did in the end...