Test driving a private 06 GTI tomorrow - checklist?

[Fizman]

Hi all,

New to the forum so be nice!

I'm meeting a lad tomorrow who is selling his 06 Candy White 3 door GTI. It's a 2 hour drive to get to him, so I want to make it worth my while. It has just over 40k miles on it.

It has full VWSH, and I got the following info from him.......

I got the car serviced at 54,000kms the next service is due in 3000kms. There is currently 64,500kms on the clock. The last service included spark plugs, filters (fuel & air, dust & pollen), toothed belt and tensioning roller changed and brake fluid changed.
All the changes done in the 54,000 service were done in line with the guide lines of the service manual regarding a vehicle with 60,000kms on the clock so it is just a minor service due on next one. The service book suggests the timing belt to be changed at 90,000kms so theres plenty of driving on it yet.

The fact that I have to travel quite far and probably won't be purchasing straight away.......is there still a need to get a mechanic to look at it?
He has sent on quite a few pics and going by those, as well as what he has been saying, he really has looked after it well.

What should I look out for myself?

I'm getting my own mechanic to do a HPI check on it tonight so I'll have that much covered at least.


Any info appreciated lads!! 

[jdjd]

Get him to take you for a drive in it, pretty much answer most of your questions. Check the alloys for white worm. Is it manual or dsg?

[jdjd]

Some other easy points, Just have a quick look round in the engine bay for any non VW parts, Check front windscreen and back, Should have VW marks on them, If not it could warrent further attention, Might of been in an accident. Check ALL the lights light up when you turn ignition. Not just so the bulb has been removed hiding any fault.
 

[Gene Hunt.]

Check engine code if it's AXX code & has a  loud ''diesel'' rattle on tickover the small cam chain/tensioner is on the way out.They all have a bit of a ''rattle'' on tick over but if it sounds over loud it's the chain.I had to have mine done.

[ub7rm]

Check if the high level brake light is working.  If its not bargain £400 off him (VW approved method of repair) but its an easy fix for £40ish.

[Hurdy]

Here's a link to what to look at on new car collection.

You've probably already been and had a look at the car by now though!

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=64432.0

[Egbutt Wash]

Rough people, rough cars.
Quintin Wilson's motto has never let me down.
If he's a scruffy herbert walk away.

[Hurdy]

Rough people, rough cars.
Quintin Wilson's motto has never let me down.
If he's a scruffy herbert walk away.

Doesn't ALWAYS follow.

I've been with my mates to look at several cars and the worst one was a guy in a suit who had a 3 series BMW for sale and it was a complete shed of a car

[Egbutt Wash]

That's why old Quint never says Nice people nice cars

[Fizman]

Thanks for the replies lads. Some very useful stuff.

Went and had a look at it yesterday, and needless to say I was very impressed as in the past hour we agreed on a price and I've put down a deposit! 

The car itself was in stunning condition I must say. Real showroom stuff. Drove it for about 40 mins or so and she goes like a dream. The 18"s are in great nick, one or two very slight scratches but that's about it. Had a look around the engine bay and all seems in order. The lad was the same age as myself and he's hitting the road soon as work has dried up (he's an architect). Said it was almost like a weekend car for him as he had a mid-week van for work. Really does look like he looked after her a lot.

Full VWSH in the log book too, so I've gone with my gut as she seems to tick all the boxes for me. Certainly a win for heart over head in this case. Now to clean up my lifestyle for a few months! 

Should be picking her up on Wed/Thurs evening, can't bleeding wait! No doubt i'll be annoying ye all here soon.