What to Check Before Buying a Vehicle with an N47 Engine

In this video, check what to look for before buying a vehicle with an N47 engine. Start with questions for the seller: how often has the vehicle been serviced? Has the timing chain been replaced? This is the weak point of the vehicle, making it the most important check; has the fuel filter been changed? It would also be useful to know about the previous owner's driving style.

Perform a visual inspection of the engine bay, which tends to leak oil: remove the cover from the engine block; most leaks come from the oil/water heat exchanger or the rocker cover. Check if any work has been done on the DPF, which you can notice from the exhaust at the rear.

The air filter box can also give you an indication. If it is very dirty, maintenance has likely been neglected.

If you see heavy black sludge inside the oil filler neck, it means maintenance has not been performed here either. Check the oil density; if it is too thick, on an N47, with its chain issues, this is not a good sign.

There are also acoustic tests to perform: if the chain is worn, it will make a slight rattling noise near the rubber. If it makes strange noises at the front with the bonnet open, unscrew the radiator cap. The water should not be boiling and should not be under pressure.

If you accelerate, listen for the noise from the turbo: if it makes a dull noise, that is not good. During the test drive, perform a low gear pull; it should not make dull noises.

At low revs, the vehicle should increase revs smoothly; otherwise, the DPF may be full. Then try to rev it to 4,800 rpm on a straight road; if there is a problem with the high-pressure CP4 pump, the engine warning light will come on. The major issues are the chain, the turbo, and the high-pressure system.