Just bought a 130 - Heater Issue. Should I worry?

[Beena]

Hi there.

Today I put a deposit down on a 51 plate TDI 130 in metallic black. It's in great nick. Has 133k on it and has just had a new clutch fitted (timing belt done at 110k), full service history etc. It drives great and pulls like a train. The dealer mentioned a few bits that he is going to get sorted for me before I pick it up next week:

Clonking sound from the rear when going over bumps which he thinks is the rear bushes which he is going to have replaced.

New front headlight that someone kindly smashed on his lot.

Steering wheel isn't on straight so he's getting that done.

The one that I'm starting to worry about now is that he said the heater gets nice and hot at slow speeds (I can definitely confirm that following my test drive) but it starts getting cold when you get to seventy ish. He's also getting that looked at.

He had the car booked in at the garage prior to me going to have a look at it today and he seems honest enough....a nice guy actually....so I'm confident that if it is anything major he will tell me so that I can get my deposit back. I'm not mechanically minded at all so I'm worrying that the heater issue could be something big waiting to happen. Head gasket failure for example. Anyone have any thoughts?

[scarr89]

Uuummmmm, possible a fault thermostat? Best thing to do would be to get it scanned using VAGCOM, but I guess if you are buying from a garage you won't have that opportunity.

Bushes sound right for the rear, probably £150ish for a garage to do so factor that into your deal I guess. Steering wheel not straight is 'just' tracking.

One of the other guys will be along to confirm or deny my thoughts.

Welcome BTW 

[Beena]

Thanks for the reply. The dealer is planning to fix all of these bits at no cost to me so I guess I shouldn't be too worried. I just don't want to have bought a ticking time bomb. I figured that it was the best car to get seeing as how it had had the major bits done to it (timing belt and clutch) so I'm hoping I've done the right thing. Nothing like a bit of buyers remorse eh? 

Really looking forward to picking it up next week. It feels great to drive and the extra grunt is going to be intoxicating after coming from an S reg Rav4 auto. Not to mention being nearly 35mpg better on fuel! Hopefully it'll be £2,5k well spent.

[scarr89]

Sounds like a good deal, providing it has had all you said changed.

Get involved on here and you'll be kept busy with things to do 

[Beena]

Get involved on here and you'll be kept busy with things to do 

That's what i'm afraid of!

[Beena]

I spoke to the dealer today and the car should be getting all the bits done tomorrow. The knocking sound was indeed the bushes at the back and the heater issue is a faulty thermostat. Providing the parts arrive at the garage and everything goes ok I should be able to pick it up tomorrow afternoon Super excited now.

[scarr89]

Win win!

Looks like I can diagnose an issue or two!

[Beena]

Sure does

[Beena]

Picked her up today. Really please with it. Took so long at the garage to get the bushes sorted that they didn't have time to replace the front light unit that has smashed glass but the dealer is going to sort it for me next week.

It didn't come with an owner's manual and I'm wondering if they are available to download anywhere?