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Model specific boards => Golf mk4 => Topic started by: ifti on 30 March 2010, 14:29

Title: Thinking of buying a MK4 - questions!
Post by: ifti on 30 March 2010, 14:29
Hi guys
Ive seen a silver MK4 1.9 TDI, and it fits the bill since Im after something cheaper and economical to run.

Here are the details from the ad.......
1 Registered Keeper, Power Steering, Remote Central Locking, Electric Windows, Sunroof, Electric Mirrors, ABS, ABS, Air Conditioning, Climate Control, Drivers Airbag, Passenger Airbag, Side Airbags, Alarm, Immobiliser, CD Player, ONLY ONE OWNER FROM NEW, THIS CAR COMES WITH FULL SERVICE HISTORY & LONG MoT, STOCKED WITH MASSIVE POWER, AN IDEAL AUTOMATIC DIESEL CAR, BUY THIS CAR WITH FULL CONFIDENCE.

Ive spoken to the person selling (a small dealer), and the car comes with a long MOT, but no Tax - how can I drive the car home with no tax??? How can I buy the tax with no insurance/log book in my name?????
Hence Im going to ask him to tax it for at least 6 months for me before I buy.

Its an automatic diesel, and has done 80,000 miles - which is fine for this type of car, and is exactly what Im after.

I havent seen the car as its a fair trek away, but am looking to go see it tomorrow.
The guy tells me condition is excellent. Everything works as it should. Only thing wrong is a broken button for the mirrors, which he wil fix before I took the car.

The car is up for £3990, and has has said he wont drop a penny since he's already just reduced it by £500 recently!

Now...what should I look out for when I go to view the car?? I'll make sure the exhaust smoke isnt too black etc, but are there any other common issues I should check out for?
Should the cambelt have been changed?

Also, as Im useless with cars, is a RAC car inspection check advisable?
Ive never purchased an older car that is out of manufacturer warranty before, so am a bit nervous!
Title: Re: Thinking of buying a MK4 - questions!
Post by: Wayne on 30 March 2010, 15:53
If he is a dealer then he should be able to tax the car for you.

What year is it.
Title: Re: Thinking of buying a MK4 - questions!
Post by: ifti on 30 March 2010, 16:57
Its a 2002.

He is a small dealer, dealing in low value cars. He says he doesnt tax any of his vehicles though. Just wondered how the hell you are supposed to drive it away when it has no tax on it!!

Do you think the price is right for a 2002 Golf 1.9 TDI Auto, with 80k miles on the clock, and full service history with full MOT? He wouldnt budge on pice at all over the phone - but hoping to at least get him to tax the car for 6 months before I considered taking it!
Title: Re: Thinking of buying a MK4 - questions!
Post by: Wayne on 30 March 2010, 17:06
It is strongish money but a rare car being a auto.

If he will not tax it you will need a cert of insurance and tax it whilst your there, easy enough to do.
Title: Re: Thinking of buying a MK4 - questions!
Post by: Wayne on 30 March 2010, 17:11
www.parkers.co.uk

Say around £2900 trade, £3900 retail so it is near the top end in terms of price.
Title: Re: Thinking of buying a MK4 - questions!
Post by: ifti on 30 March 2010, 18:40
Need to check with DVLA, but I hear you can drive a vehicle home without tax, as long as you have a receipt showing that you have only just purchased it?
Title: Re: Thinking of buying a MK4 - questions!
Post by: Wayne on 30 March 2010, 19:23
Need to check with DVLA, but I hear you can drive a vehicle home without tax, as long as you have a receipt showing that you have only just purchased it?

Would not think so to be honest, but might be worth asking I guess.
Title: Re: Thinking of buying a MK4 - questions!
Post by: radz on 30 March 2010, 20:03
If I were you id have a look at the car first, looked at a few dealer cars that were apparently "mint condition" and they have all looked like utter turd

Is at the top end of the price though - especially with no tax

Title: Re: Thinking of buying a MK4 - questions!
Post by: ifti on 30 March 2010, 20:14
I don't want to make the 30 mile trip if he won't even tax it for 6 months.
I'm going to ring him tomorrow and see what he has to say before I go view.
If the car is not taxed it should be declared as SORN shouldn't it?
Title: Re: Thinking of buying a MK4 - questions!
Post by: Wayne on 30 March 2010, 20:25
I don't want to make the 30 mile trip if he won't even tax it for 6 months.
I'm going to ring him tomorrow and see what he has to say before I go view.
If the car is not taxed it should be declared as SORN shouldn't it?

Not if he is a trader.
Title: Re: Thinking of buying a MK4 - questions!
Post by: ifti on 30 March 2010, 21:13
Ah I didnt realise it was different if you were a trader.
Will ring the DVLA tomorrow to see what my options are and how I should proceed, and take it from there!

Anything on the car I should look out for?

Thanks guys.
Title: Re: Thinking of buying a MK4 - questions!
Post by: Purely VAG on 30 March 2010, 21:20
Expensive tbh.

And taxing it will be a struggle as you need insurance document which means insuring it before viewing it ect.. and ringing for policy number.

Title: Re: Thinking of buying a MK4 - questions!
Post by: topher on 30 March 2010, 21:21
Does it have to be an auto? I've found the auto boxes on mk4s to be awful... it'll be a real letdown after your dsg :undecided:
Title: Re: Thinking of buying a MK4 - questions!
Post by: ifti on 31 March 2010, 08:28
Anything will be a let down after the DSG!
I would prefer an auto though since I will only he driving it for a while then passing it on to the wife, who only drives auto's.
Title: Re: Thinking of buying a MK4 - questions!
Post by: ifti on 31 March 2010, 17:15
Well just on my way back from viewing this car.
The car itself looked decent, some slight scrapes on the back wheel arch and a mirror. Otherwise body looked fine.
Car started fine. Sounded fine. No excessive smoke etc.

Then the test drive. A mile or so out, came to a roundabout and as I pressed the brake the car judderred and shut off! Took 3 attempts to get it started!
The dash displayed 'Alternator' and 'service now'.

Finally the car started. Another 10 mins or so or motorway and small road driving went fine. Car drove fine after that.

The MOT is fine. It was serviced 6k miles ago. So why would it want another?

The guy just said he would check the car over (he had a few mechanics on site) and not to worry. However I'm still a little concerned about why it shut down once but drove fine after?

He also won't drop at all from his £4k asking price.
Should I pass and keep searching?
Title: Re: Thinking of buying a MK4 - questions!
Post by: radz on 31 March 2010, 17:23
If it was me I'd leave it mate and find another one.
I never trust the whole don't worry it will be fixed with dealers, you really have no idea what they are doing.

Keep looking and see if you can find a private sale in my opinion
Title: Re: Thinking of buying a MK4 - questions!
Post by: Rhyso on 31 March 2010, 20:03
Walk away

Plenty more out there
Title: Re: Thinking of buying a MK4 - questions!
Post by: ifti on 31 March 2010, 21:44
Yup, not gonna bother with it. That put me off straight away - as it would anyone!
Thanks for the info etc though guys, really appreciate your help.
Title: Re: Thinking of buying a MK4 - questions!
Post by: radz on 31 March 2010, 22:52
Wise move, take a look around - sometimes you can find bargains on gumtree.

Good luck :)
Title: Re: Thinking of buying a MK4 - questions!
Post by: Wayne on 31 March 2010, 23:59
Walk away

Plenty more out there

+20 :afro: