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Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: Tractor Dave on 13 February 2024, 12:55

Title: Hunting for a nice Golf
Post by: Tractor Dave on 13 February 2024, 12:55
Looking for a nice petrol Golf for my boy. He is only 22 and has just started work away from home so can't afford the insurance on a GTi. So a 1.4 of 1.5 tsfi in good condition with full service history. Anyone selling something nice? Mk7 or 7.5 preferably. I'm in West Wales but happy to travel.
Thanks
Dave
Title: Re: Hunting for a nice Golf
Post by: Tractor Dave on 29 March 2024, 16:28
Just an update on this. My boy found a nice 7.5 1.5 driver at his local main dealer. He drove home in it yesterday after collecting it on Wednesday. Being a bit of a home mechanic, I gave it the once over. I was shocked!
This is an approved used car with just over 40k miles on the clock.
Both front tyres are worn on the inside edges and need replacing, the rear brake pads have only 2mm left and all four shocks are leaking oil!
On doing a few more checks ( we should have done this before, I know) mot history check revealed all these were pointed out at the last mot a few weeks ago, presumably done by VW themselves.
It's going back on Tuesday.
Title: Re: Hunting for a nice Golf
Post by: joe6 on 29 March 2024, 17:53
That is taking the p!!! even for a main stealer. Surprised it passed the mot as 2mm is the minimum spec so within a couple of weeks use would fail. No care about customer safety in this case. Give them he'll.
Title: Re: Hunting for a nice Golf
Post by: madstaff on 29 March 2024, 20:15
Sorry, im not trying to say its acceptable or anything, but 'technically' its all ok, although not what you expect from a newly purchased car.

2mm is above the 1.5mm minimum thickness for disc pads so is a pass.

Front tyres as long as 1.6mm tread depth across the centre ¾ is also a pass.

Light misting of oil on the dampers is not a reason for rejection, even VW state a light misting of oil is acceptable.

Good practice to advise on all the above.

Title: Re: Hunting for a nice Golf
Post by: P6GTD on 29 March 2024, 20:42
I think the key indicator on used cars is the tyres.
I remember looking at a nice Mk 7 and being repelled by the cheapo covers on the front.
It just said “company car or hire/pcp” to me.
Immediate no-no.
And here is the problem….I bought my car for cash, outright. Very old school.
Not convinced everyone in a different camp cares so much.
Title: Re: Hunting for a nice Golf
Post by: Exonian on 29 March 2024, 20:44
I’ve just made a similarly regrettable error involving misplaced optimism.
I just sat through 1hr 45 of “Barbie” movie.  :rolleyes:





Although these tolerances are vaguely above the legal minimum you’d expect rather more from a main dealer.
Oh yes, misplaced optimism again.
Title: Re: Hunting for a nice Golf
Post by: Exonian on 30 March 2024, 13:01
The more I think about this the more it grates me.
VW harp on about the 142 point checks etc etc which makes one wonder what exactly they do check.
I won’t bore everyone here but my son’s girlfriend had a bit of an experience with an “approved used” car too. Mostly sorted in the end but still a faff.

Title: Re: Hunting for a nice Golf
Post by: madstaff on 30 March 2024, 13:08
I suppose where the Das Welt Auto warranty (hopefully) counts is when, for example, ths DSG box has nothing but neutrals.
Title: Re: Hunting for a nice Golf
Post by: Adam T7 on 30 March 2024, 14:44
I think the key indicator on used cars is the tyres.
I remember looking at a nice Mk 7 and being repelled by the cheapo covers on the front.
It just said “company car or hire/pcp” to me.
Immediate no-no.
And here is the problem….I bought my car for cash, outright. Very old school.
Not convinced everyone in a different camp cares so much.

100% agree, 4 matching tyres of a quality make speak legends. Also agree on the cash and own outright philosophy.
Title: Re: Hunting for a nice Golf
Post by: SRGTD on 30 March 2024, 14:54
The more I think about this the more it grates me.
VW harp on about the 142 point checks etc etc which makes one wonder what exactly they do check.
I won’t bore everyone here but my son’s girlfriend had a bit of an experience with an “approved used” car too. Mostly sorted in the end but still a faff.

Interesting that the 142 point check is now ‘a comprehensive workshop inspection with over 100 individual checks’ - see ‘Multipoint check’ section at the following link;  https://www.volkswagen.co.uk/en/used-cars/benefits-and-offers.html.

The ‘over 100’ gives VW the opportunity to change the number of checklist items to something other than 142. The cynic in me would say VW would be more likely to reduce the number of items checked to something less than 142 rather than increase it, and…………..surprise, surprise, that’s exactly what they’ve done at some point :whistle:. Checklist is now 130 items; link to VW’s Approved Used checklist below;

https://www.volkswagen.co.uk/idhub/content/dam/onehub_pkw/importers/gb/used/approved-used-benefits/Approved_Used_Handover_sheets_ICE_Digital_edited.pdf

@Tractor Dave said in post that brake pads have only 2mm of friction material. Assuming when new the friction material thickness would have been 10mm - 12mm, then according to item 87 of the checklist they should have been replaced as they’re more than 70% worn. Again, the cynic in me would say it’s somewhat ironic that dealers have been known to recommend customers having their car’s brake pads changed when they’re 50% worn, yet they sell a car under the Approved Used scheme with pads that are 80% or more worn. Just saying………… :whistle:.
Title: Re: Hunting for a nice Golf
Post by: Tractor Dave on 30 March 2024, 18:31
Not able to get any response from the sales manager due to easter. I will update next week. If they don't agree to replace the front tyres, rear brake pads and all four shocks we are handing it back.
Title: Re: Hunting for a nice Golf
Post by: karlos on 30 March 2024, 21:19
I think the key indicator on used cars is the tyres.

Before I settled on my GTI I looked at a number of Golf Rs. The number I saw with mismatched tyres and even cheap Chinese ditchfinders on them was shocking and all of them were an instant nope from me for that reason.



 
Title: Re: Hunting for a nice Golf
Post by: symonh2000 on 01 April 2024, 10:31
I think the key indicator on used cars is the tyres.

Before I settled on my GTI I looked at a number of Golf Rs. The number I saw with mismatched tyres and even cheap Chinese ditchfinders on them was shocking and all of them were an instant nope from me for that reason.

This seems pretty typical of cars which are being sold at places such as Cinch and Carshop.

I am wondering whether it is due to the cars being previously leased, and the previous keeper fitting the cheapest tyres possible before handing the car back.
Title: Re: Hunting for a nice Golf
Post by: Tractor Dave on 03 April 2024, 13:02
So the dealer have agreed to replace the front tyres and the rear brake pads and they were apologetic regarding these items which apparently should have been done before my boy collected the car. However, they are not happy about replacing the shocks and want to inspect the car again, stating light oil misting is perfectly acceptable. I've examined the car more thoroughly and the front off side shock is leaking so much, it's reached the lower spring perch. If they don't replace now, according to the small print of the approved used warranty, any existing faults are not covered. As they have been pointed out at last two mot's I doubt vw would honour a claim.
Update to follow.
Title: Re: Hunting for a nice Golf
Post by: Exonian on 03 April 2024, 13:10
That’s at least some progress Dave, keep pushing! Those dampers can’t be justified as fit for use.
Title: Re: Hunting for a nice Golf
Post by: madstaff on 03 April 2024, 14:37
VWs stance on damper leaks straight out of the workshop manual.


(https://i.postimg.cc/JhBR1JKS/Screenshot-2024-04-03-143603.png) (https://postimages.org/)
Title: Re: Hunting for a nice Golf
Post by: Tractor Dave on 03 April 2024, 15:56
They quoted that to me. Any leak is the seal starting to fail. I have a 2000 year Passat here on original shocks and they are all bone dry with no oil leaking at all!
How long will they last after they have started to leak? Not long in my opinion.
Title: Re: Hunting for a nice Golf
Post by: Tractor Dave on 10 April 2024, 18:18
So an update.
The car was at the garage all day yesterday and to our surprise, they did absolutely everything free of charge.
New front tyres, new shocks front and rear and new discs and pads at the rear.
My faith in VW is restored.
Title: Re: Hunting for a nice Golf
Post by: Exonian on 10 April 2024, 22:57
Good news but still a sour taste that you had to challenge them in the first place.