I ended up going an seeing this car on my launch break:
http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/cars_popup.jsp?did=685&pageid=4&originalid=&gid=nogroup&tid=20&start=3&distance=0&adcategory=cars&channel=DEALERPAGE&id=201105378498457Its a genuie 150, not leather interior but has the ARL engine code, 70k on the clock. got the MOT number and did a mot histroy check. Milage checks out.
The car has a service history although the there is 30k miles between the second last and last entry which is worrying but maybe it just wasn’t stamped. Was mot'd in that time between stamps twice which it passed with no advisories. The toothed belt which I assume is the timing belt was changed around 30k so I assume at 70k it will be due another one?
Looks good on the outside especially with those 17" alloys but inside its seems quite worn and well used and breaks look a bit rusty through the alloys although I’m not sure if that’s an issue.
The car is due another mot and service which the garage owner says he will give me if i buy it.
Not sure though, on the plus side 70k on the clock is good but not if it needs a cam belt.
I think 5 grand is a bit steep for this car? Maybe if I could knock a grand off the price and get the mot and service then it would be a good buy?
If only knew a Golf mechanic or enthusiast around the central Scotland that could help me make a judgement :embarassed: