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Author Topic: Prospective Buyers Questions  (Read 1179 times)

fac303

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Prospective Buyers Questions
« on: August 20, 2015, 11:14:27 pm »
This is my first post on here so hello to all.

I’m going to view a Mk5 GTI at an independent used car dealers this weekend and would be very appreciative of any thoughts/advice regarding a couple of issues.

The car is on an 07 plate and is being sold for just under 7K. It’s done 80K miles and has a FSH, however the dealer tells me that there’s no record of the cambelt having been changed. I know that VW state that this doesn’t need doing ‘til 120K miles but I’m also aware that there is a widely held view that it should be done at around 50-60K miles. Should I be too concerned about the fact that it hasn’t already been done? - and roughly how much would it cost me to get this done, & am I right in thinking that I’d need to get a new water pump done at the same time?

Also, the car has an MOT until next April, however there are advisories regarding brake pads and brake discs. The dealer has offered to fit new pads and discs but I’m a little concerned that they might do this in the cheapest way possible thereby using inferior quality parts. Alternatively I could try and negotiate a price reduction and get the work done at a specialist where I can be more confident that the work will be done to a high standard. However I’ve no idea how much this could cost me. Maybe I’m worrying unnecessarily about this and should just accept the dealer’s offer but I’m unsure which is my best option.

The car is at the very top end of my budget & I’m concerned that I will end up having to pay quite a bit more to get these issues sorted out which makes me wonder if this isn't the right one for me. However I think I’d struggle to get another of that age/mileage at the same price. I can’t buy privately as I need to part ex my current car.

Is there anything else that I should check apart from obvious things like bodywork condition, rust etc?

Any advice & rough estimates regarding how much the work required would cost me would be a great help.

Thanks.
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Offline flashp

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Re: Prospective Buyers Questions
« Reply #1 on: August 21, 2015, 07:45:44 am »
Cambelt is 60k or 4 years whichever is first.

I think you're wise to be skeptical about the brake parts they may fit. I once bought a Vectra GSI at 2 years old that needed new brakes before the sale could go ahead. The parts they fitted (along with crap tyres that were thrown away almost straight away) were terrible. They took the cheapest route and it's fair to assume that they're not voluntarily going to put there hand in their pockets for more than they need to.

Just noticed that we don't seem to have a sticky with a buyers guide in it here...

« Last Edit: August 21, 2015, 11:56:14 am by flashp »
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Offline Flyingscotsman

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Re: Prospective Buyers Questions
« Reply #2 on: August 21, 2015, 07:54:33 am »
Yes, you should get cam-belt & water pump changed as soon as possible. It will cost somewhere between 400-500 pounds depending on whether VW dealer or independent.

As the seller has offered to change the disks and pads I would take them up on the offer but insist that they use OEM VW parts. They should be able to get these through TPS for a reasonable price. Ask them for a receipt the VW parts.
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Offline garrardrj

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Re: Prospective Buyers Questions
« Reply #3 on: August 21, 2015, 08:37:53 am »
I would consider what else has been skimped on if the Cambelt/Water pump at 4 years hasn't been done . VW has a fixed price to change the belt at many dealers , its £399 at our local branch .
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Offline Matthewsimone

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Re: Prospective Buyers Questions
« Reply #4 on: August 21, 2015, 12:14:39 pm »
Think its £349 at chester Vw dealership for belt change plus possibly another £50 for water pump

Could you not sell your current car to likes of we want any car.com etc that way you would have freedom of being a cash buyer from private sales also plus we want and we buy any car probably match your pmx offers from garages anyway  :happy2:
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Offline Horatio

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Re: Prospective Buyers Questions
« Reply #5 on: August 21, 2015, 12:27:07 pm »
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fac303

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Re: Prospective Buyers Questions
« Reply #6 on: August 21, 2015, 02:03:57 pm »
Thanks a lot for all your helpful replies. The clubgti buying guide looks really useful. I'd not thought of going down the 'we buy any car' route and it's a good suggestion. I think this particular car would end up costing me too much, what with around £400+ for cambelt & water pump, & experience tells me that there's usually a few other bits and pieces that need sorting when buying a used car. I think my best option would be to wait a while and familiarise myself with the buying guide. 
Thanks again for the advice, this is a great site.
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