DIY Repair Success: How a Teenager in New Zealand Saved Thousands

Meet Arshia, an eighteen-year-old living in New Zealand. Arshia’s journey began when he bought his first car, a deregistered Mercedes SLK 230 Kompressor, in April 2022. In Australia and New Zealand, a deregistered car is a vehicle removed from the official registration records. This can happen for various reasons, such as the vehicle’s registration expiring or not being roadworthy after extensive amounts of damage.

Deregistered vehicles cannot be legally driven on public roads. They are not covered by third-party insurance (CTP) and do not have a valid registration sticker or plate. To put a deregistered car back on the road, the owner must re-register the vehicle by passing a roadworthiness inspection, paying registration fees, and obtaining CTP insurance.

To pass compliance and become road-ready, the SRS light on the dashboard needed to be fixed, and the car needed to go through a comprehensive service check. After struggling to find an affordable mechanic experienced with German cars, Arshia eventually found one who charged him nearly NZ$2,000 ($1200) to repair the SRS issue. The exorbitant cost and the challenge of finding the right mechanic inspired Arshia to explore DIY car repair.

Determined to find a more affordable and efficient way to diagnose and repair car issues, Arshia began researching diagnostic scanners. Choosing the right scanner was critical but challenging because of the price and the technical jargon around most scanners.

The SLK proved quite challenging as soon I had to deal with a non-starting car. The car would crank but refuse to start, leaving me unsure of where to begin diagnosing the issue. With determination, once I acquired the YOUCANIC scanner ready to tackle the problem head-on. The YOUCANIC scanner revealed a P0335 diagnostic trouble code (DTC), indicating a Crankshaft Position Sensor ‘A’ Circuit Malfunction. With this newfound knowledge, I ordered a new crankshaft position sensor and set to work on the repair. After installing the new sensor in less than two hours, resolving the starting issue and bringing his SLK230 back to life.

-Arshia

Arshia’s experience demonstrates the power of having the right tools and determination to tackle complex automotive issues. With the help of a full system scanner, Arshia could diagnose and repair his car,…