GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk4 => Topic started by: vort3x on 13 June 2006, 13:48
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As some people might know, I am looking for a gt tdi 130 and have spotted this ad on Autotrader:
2001 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 1.9 GT TDI 130 5dr Diesel Hatchback,
Silver. ABS, Air conditioning, Alarm, Alloy wheels, Body coloured bumpers, Central locking.44272 miles,some history t & t recently serviced, sony md head unit. £5,650
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There is a pic and contact number and am thinking of going to have a look. But I was wondering what you guys woudl think about buying a car without a full service history? Is it a complete no no ?
Thanx in advance
Tom
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Depends on the reason for no history. I tend to service my cars myself.. so no stamps in the book.. but I take a hell of a lot more care with my motor than any garage would. Obviously there should be receipts for any major parts that have been replaced.
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Would concern me a tad as with only 40k on the clock after 5 years i would expect a proper service history. I have a 53 plate 130 with just over 40 k and have had it serviced twice due to the intelligent servicing (cost approx £400 in total) so why no history???
Think I would avoid :undecided:
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its up to you at the end of the day, get the car hpi'd and/or RAC/AA inspected to put your mind at ease and see if there are any milage discrepencies :undecided:, this would rest your mind a bit before you shell out
I would tend to go more for a car with service history tho
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Give my mate £50 and he will stamp your book up for you - so at least they've been honest about it :wink:
HPI checks aren't worth the paper they're printed on either - they only log whats gone through insurance :smiley:
best to get a knowledgable person to look over it :smug:
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Thanx guys.
I guess I was thinking the same thing really just wanted confirmation. I might give the person a call and find out a bit more info about it. Would definatley get it HPId and probably do a RAC/AA check on it as well for piece of mind more than anything.
Anyway I will ring them and see what they have to say. Hopefully it will have all the receipts with it etc but I am still a bit wary of it. Cant hurt to enquire though.
MK1MADJ -> What do you mean by knowledgable person? Sorry if this is a dumbass question.
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Only accept it if there is a very good reason and the mileage seems genuine based on wear and tear.
From cars I have seen with a low mileage, histories go missing to disguise the fact Doc or one of his chums has fiddled the clock. Worth phoning VW to veirfy when it was last serviced, maybe it was last year at 120k :angry:
The HPI does a very basic mileage check. But this is only of use if it comes up as an alert - i.e. being clear means nothing,
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There could be a genuine reason. For example my father-in-law bought is Volvo new, kept it 10 years and had it serviced every year but he kept his handbook/service pack in the house and just dumped the receipts he got from the garage not thinking he would ever need them.
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There could be a genuine reason. For example my father-in-law bought is Volvo new, kept it 10 years and had it serviced every year but he kept his handbook/service pack in the house and just dumped the receipts he got from the garage not thinking he would ever need them.
Yes, I agree with that.
Its a case of getting a 'feel' for the situation when you speak to the seller and if things don't seem right, walking away.
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MK1MADJ -> What do you mean by knowledgable person? Sorry if this is a dumbass question.
Someone who knows enough about cars to spot a lemon :wink:
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Right I rang up expecting to speak to a tradesman but apparantley it turns out to be a private sale. I spoke to the wife who isn't really dealing with and gave me the number of her husband. Anyway I asked a few questions -
The service history is since 2004 (basically the first year an MOT was needed). I don't know what to conclude from this and was hoping you could advise me on whether this seems reasonable and if there are any other questions I should ask.
The car isn't too far away but far enough to want to be certain when I go to have a look. I would of course have it inspected by an RAC / AA guy before I bought it (hope this is what you meant MK1MADJ).
From what the wife told me it does sound reasonable but I was just wondering what you guys were thinking about not have any history during it's warranty period.
I will give the husband a call later today so any questions you could give me to ask would be greatly appreciated.
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Why would a car not have history during its warranty period???
The service book would still be stamped up, have they just lost the book?
To be honest mate, there are enough 130's out there (even I have one :smiley:). Think I would walk away but then I am just a suspicious sod :grin:
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Call up your local VW dealer with the reg number. They will be able to tell you when and at what mileages it has been in. You may have a really pleasant surprise and still be able to use the lack of SH as a negotiation tool.
Worst case scenario is it was a high mileage fleet car (on 3 year contract) then a trader clocked it back (chucking away the SH) and sold it to the unsuspecting people you are speaking to. Some of those 3 years olds I have seen at auction with 120k on the clock really look in fine shape and would be ripe for clocking.