Things to look for when buying a MK 2!

[richardprint]

hi all, i'm looking to but a MK 2 GTI 16V just wandered where the main problem areas are and what bad or good points to look for.

[Steve_B]

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

[tony_ack]

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

This is the guide I used too when I bought mine. Bear in mind that the youngest of these cars turn 17 this year, so you're going to be paying top dollar if you even manage to find one that hasn't got at least one of the problems listed.

The important thing is to think about what items on the list matter to you - i.e. the ones which you know you can't easily do yourself. Personally, I went after one with a sound body, a couple of mechanical faults, and quite a few electrical faults, as I know I'm hopelss at bodywork repair and have never welded in my life, but my dad used to be a mechanic, and I'm pretty handy with electrics.

You can use some of the faults you find to beat down the price if you know they may be costly to repair, but be prepared to walk away from any car that you feel is beyond your level of expertise, even if the price sounds tempting.

[Ben Lessani]

Less than a day before slick locks this ...

My 2p,

Rotten sills
Leaks - anywhere, sunroof, doors, bonnet scuttle - all easily fixed mind
Steady idle
No smokey exhaust
Rear handbrake condition
Heater matrix

... basically look through my project thread, should give you an idea what goes wrong.

[gstar-dubworld]

Try this thread maybe of some help towards your destiny...

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=18968.msg153310#msg153310

[richardprint]

cheers all

[kmpowell]

Hi - I have been in the same position as you for the past few months. I have been to see plenty of cars and invariably most have ended up being dogs.

The main problems I had at the top of my "to look out for" list are:

- Smoke from the exhaust when up to temp'
- Punched door looks hidden behind blanking pates
- Rust behind the rubbers
- Lacquer lift and/or peel
- Seized rear brakes
- Heater matrix
- No cambelt change
- Pattern Part bumpers

HTH

[VeeDubGTI16v]

rust basically.

rear arches, sill, wiper holes at front, round the windscreen, all the tailgate especially where the wires go through, behind filler cap, jacking points.

just go for one with the best bodywork, all the mechanical bits are fairly cheap and easy to sort if you can do it yourself. if you cant your looking at one of the 'low mileage mint' ones for £3000+

[kmpowell]

if you cant your looking at one of the 'low mileage mint' ones for £3000+

... oh, and if you are going for that option, the red one on Pissedonheads is now sold to me! 

[richardprint]

thanks everyone any advice is welcome, the red one on pistonheads is mint good buy mate. i've got about £3250 to spend should that get me something decent and low mileage (for the age car). what is the highest mileage i should be looking at buying?

 thanks again