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General => General discussion => Topic started by: jimbly2 on 11 March 2014, 19:47

Title: What would you do?
Post by: jimbly2 on 11 March 2014, 19:47

 Hi - been offered a Mk5 GTI for a very low price - it's a Cat D, no engineers report, no pics of previous damage, repair looks fine though. No service history other than the one they've just had done, and they had to buy a new service book from VW. It's got 75k miles on it, so I'm thinking if I have no evidence that the cam belt has been down it'll need doing straight away - likewise - is the clutch and DMF going to be about due to croak?

If I give VW the reg number can they trace it and report on what work has been carried out?

Or do I just walk away from it..

Thanks
J

Title: Re: What would you do?
Post by: Jimble on 11 March 2014, 19:52

I think you already know the answer to this one mate?

Title: Re: What would you do?
Post by: The Mighty Elvi on 11 March 2014, 19:54

How much?

Title: Re: What would you do?
Post by: jimbly2 on 11 March 2014, 19:56

£4250 for an 07. My heart says, go for it...my head says if it's too good to be true, it usually is...

Title: Re: What would you do?
Post by: The Mighty Elvi on 11 March 2014, 19:59

Will you be keeping it long because its resale value will be very low as a CAT D.

Title: Re: What would you do?
Post by: jimbly2 on 11 March 2014, 20:00

Well I was intending to but I hear what you say about the Cat D. Loving your gif by the way!

Title: Re: What would you do?
Post by: The Mighty Elvi on 11 March 2014, 20:02

Is it a trader or private individual selling?   Traders have to declare it written off but private individuals do not.

Might want to check with your insurance company as well if they will insure you on a cat D car before buying, as many won't.

Title: Re: What would you do?
Post by: barrym381 on 11 March 2014, 20:03

Quote from: jimbly2 on 11 March 2014, 19:56

£4250 for an 07. My heart says, go for it...my head says if it's too good to be true, it usually is...

listen to your head  :wink:

Title: Re: What would you do?
Post by: jimbly2 on 11 March 2014, 20:03

Its a private sale..

Title: Re: What would you do?
Post by: The Mighty Elvi on 11 March 2014, 20:10

Well, Cat D just means its was uneconomical to repair.

Has the seller told you what happened, and what was repaired? Have they showed you the garage bill of works, insurance bill etc..?

Might have been cosmetic and the car is structurally sound.

Don't dismiss it without knowing the above.

Title: Re: What would you do?
Post by: jimbly2 on 11 March 2014, 20:13

Apparently it was rear end damage - the lady doesn't know much more - but she got someone to check out the repair when she bought it and they said it was all fine. I have to say it looks ok - but..

What about VW - would a main dealer be able to look it up on the VW database?

Thanks for your help

Title: Re: What would you do?
Post by: barrym381 on 11 March 2014, 20:15

if vw has serviced it they should  :wink: but you might need to find what dealer has done it

Title: Re: What would you do?
Post by: The Mighty Elvi on 11 March 2014, 20:19

Ah..so the seller bought it from the previous owner who had it written off?

Have a look under the boot carpet for wrinkles in the bodywork.

Title: Re: What would you do?
Post by: jimbly2 on 11 March 2014, 20:22

Good tip - thanks. I know it's hard to generalise but in your experience would a GTI clutch typically last up to 100k? I had a TDI a few years ago which lasted up until about 85K..

Title: Re: What would you do?
Post by: Lewy on 11 March 2014, 20:29

A couple of quid will get you an HPi report.

Title: Re: What would you do?
Post by: Wayne on 11 March 2014, 21:06

I would leave well alone, sounds like your buying a world of trouble.

Title: Re: What would you do?
Post by: clipperjay on 11 March 2014, 21:11

4.2K you can find better bargains with that  :wink:

Title: Re: What would you do?
Post by: jimbly2 on 11 March 2014, 21:18

 :undecided: Cheers guys - I've sort of come to the same conclusion. The search continues..

Title: Re: What would you do?
Post by: jimbly2 on 11 March 2014, 21:20

I could deal with the Cat D - but Cat D and no service history or report... nah.

Title: Re: What would you do?
Post by: Wayne on 11 March 2014, 21:25

Quote from: jimbly2 on 11 March 2014, 21:20

I could deal with the Cat D - but Cat D and no service history or report... nah.

Cat D does not need a report before going back on the road, Cat C does however, if you could see pictures before it helps, I looked a Cat D the other week and the car had pictures before, during and after repair.

But even then insurance companies are not keen to cover so I left alone.