What to look for - your advice please

[johndow]

I would like to buy a MK2 GTI sometime this year (next few months), to store, and gradually do up (back to original).

The problem is, i am in Northern Ireland and GTIs are rare and expensive. I would happily go to the mainland to buy one if i saw the right car, but i don't want to buy a piece of crap.

If you were buying a car without seeing it in person, what questions would you ask, and what photos would you ask for?? (e.g. has it any rust, second gear crunch etc etc)

If i can produce a list of things to look out for, it may also benefit other members/ potential buyers.

p.s. i am not a mechanic, so keep it simple please.

Cheers

JD

[Organisys]

Rust to body shell, and blowing oil / emmisions, everything else can be fixed really.

[knobby]

nice clean interior i like to see.. Check the bolsters are still in good nick and not worn...

[Veedubgt18v]

http://www.matey-matey.com/golf_buying_guide.shtml

have a read of this pretty much covers everything

[Gambit]

that matey matey guide is a good job - but its easier to get somebody to actually walk you round a mk2 pointing what to look for.

here is the local NI board mate - http://www.clubgti.net - im in Belfast myself

[TIM20]

Right im bored so i will list the things that are important

Body work wise:

rust in the following areas:
around the petrol cap
under the rear arches if the plastic covers are there
front wiper hole grommit
around the front screen
around the door locks if damaged by attempted breakins
in sunroof tray if possible
the battery tray under the bonnet
rust where the exhaust maifold exists to under the car (from heat etc)
rust around the drain holes on the lower section of the doors
rust around the tailgate near the lock and the wiper hole

General things

16v clocks not working correctly (MFA etc)

excessive wear on the drivers seat bolster

automatic clutch cables are crap and dont work correctly

high milage is common now but if looked after correctly they go on for ages

look for blue smoke (valve stem seals)

and the tappets can get noisey

also just look out for general acciednt damage


The main thing i would say is prepared to be disapointed a few times as there are a lot of sh!tters out there for every decent one

Tim