MK5 GT TDI Buying Advice (lots of questions)

[popey]

Went to see another car today at a local garage,

2004 140 GT TDI
2 owners (Demo and last owner did the servicing him self)
95,000 Miles
Just had cambelt and water pump by local VW specialists
£3600

Not had a drive but even on revs from stationary there was less turbo noise than on other cars I've seen, it also started on the button from cold (just had no battery).

Bad news is bonnet is a bit tatty, scratches and stone chips.

[Rhyso]

Wouldn't worry about the bonnet at that price; as long its mechanically sound 

You need to start driving these things mind; you might not even like them 

[popey]

Its the missing service history that bugs me, but I guess thats reflected in the price. He as said any inspection is welcome.

[Rhyso]

Its the missing service history that bugs me, but I guess thats reflected in the price. He as said any inspection is welcome.

Did he keep any receipts for the parts?? 

I used to service my old Golf and I do with my Audi but I keep a lever arch folder of ALL of my receipts

[popey]

I will pose the question tomorrow, the garage is only 3 mins from my house so its handy enough.

Oh well almost time for work

[popey]

Looks nice:


http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/volkswagen-vw-golf-mark-5-gttdi-140-tdi-black-3-door-mk-five/1010581243#gallery-item-full-2

Right I'm 100% off to work now!!

[popey]

Im going to view the car above tomorrow (this one: http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/volkswagen-vw-golf-mark-5-gttdi-140-tdi-black-3-door-mk-five/1010581243#gallery-item-full-4)

My only concern is they guy who owns works as a panel beater / sprayer and Im worried it could of had paint and maybe even been in a un recorded accident (or am I been paranoid?!?!). I have noticed the back is de badged and the bottom of the rear bumper is colour coded. However he as told me there are slight stone chips on the front (to be expected) and a very very small air bubble in the paint on the left hand wing (Ive seen defects like this in brand new cars, but still its all playing on my mind a little.

The cam belt was also changed at very low miles, but talking to the garage it was done at he thinks with it been low miles this could be down to age. HPI shows 51,000 miles on the clock in July 2010.


Thoughts? I think I'm going MAD!!!!!

[dTEA]

Cambelt will have been due on age.  5 years i think was the limit, so ties in with that.  Take a magnet and try areas for filler? If it doesn't want to grab the metal continually then walk away.  Other option is view and then AA inspect it...do the cheap version as it covers most basics...

Being black, I am willing to bet that no matter the expertise as a panel beater, the colour will be slightly off if its been sprayed.  Look for signs inside the boot, and underneath at the rear.  Thing is though, a lot of people round my way have colour coded that lower valance as it just a big bubble of plastic on the rear otherwise, as its not got any styling like even the standard GTI's.

[popey]

Thanks!!

Im quite excited now, game face is ready for the viewing