any red flags when buying approved used?

[candywhite12]

I can probably get to Leeds if needed (work there mon - fri). Got Vagcom as well so can do a full scan if they let me.

cheers mate will let you know if i end up in that area

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

I bought my Mk7 GTI from my local VW dealer recently, under the "Das Welt Auto" scheme.  Which apparently means that the car has undergone a 142-point inspection before being put on the forecourt.

The 142 points obviously didn't include making sure that the steering wheel was straight, as it was pointing a few degrees to the right when I test drove the car.  The car felt fine when I drove it, so I asked for an alignment check, with a "before and after" printout before I would commit to buy, which showed that the wheel alignment was (roughly) ok, and this has now been verified by a local specialist while I was within the "30-day no-quibble return" phase of the scheme.

I've always found that, without fail, if you query something technical when buying a used car from a main dealer, they come up with an answer which makes you think that they actually know nothing about cars, and in the case of my recent purchase they didn't have a clue how to interpret the wheel alignment printout.  Even the bloke who did the check.

[I wanted a GTi]

I bought my Mk7 GTI from my local VW dealer recently, under the "Das Welt Auto" scheme.  Which apparently means that the car has undergone a 142-point inspection before being put on the forecourt.

The 142 points obviously didn't include making sure that the steering wheel was straight, as it was pointing a few degrees to the right when I test drove the car.  The car felt fine when I drove it, so I asked for an alignment check, with a "before and after" printout before I would commit to buy, which showed that the wheel alignment was (roughly) ok, and this has now been verified by a local specialist while I was within the "30-day no-quibble return" phase of the scheme.

I've always found that, without fail, if you query something technical when buying a used car from a main dealer, they come up with an answer which makes you think that they actually know nothing about cars, and in the case of my recent purchase they didn't have a clue how to interpret the wheel alignment printout.  Even the bloke who did the check.

I would think that in 90% of cases the dealer knows nothing about the cars they're selling.

[candywhite12]

I would think that in 90% of cases the dealer knows nothing about the cars they're selling.
[/quote]

not very heartening i have to say...