Is it possible for a Second hand GTI to have millage thats TOO low?

[Freight_raine]

Good Afternoon All

Hi there, im New to the forums (will say hi on the thread properly a bit later) and completely new to the world of the GTI

Im currently looking for a new toy and in the past have had cars ranging from old M3's to Impreza's etc but currently pootling around in a Corolla T sport.

On the way to a ford dealer to look at a Focus ST i drove past a VW Garage that had a MK5 on the forecourt that caught my eye.  Its an 06 tornado red example thats one owner, full history with that very dealer and believe it or not 25,000 on the clock with 8 services including belts.

Now i must admit ive never looked at a GTI before as they are normally a bit expensive but this has really taken my eye.  I was wondering though is it possible that the car has not done  enough millage and may suffer from issues through lack of use? (something impreza's can be guilty of)

When the dealer started it there was a distinct rattle that to me sounded like exhaust/heatshields being loose but the sales person said that they have a distinct start up noise.  so i thought id come to yourselves and ask for any advice

Cheers

Ian

[r5gtt]

I'd say with thay kind of mileage it should sound faultless although the cam follower could be work out and causing the rattle!. Did the noise go away after or was it still there?. get them to change that or knock the parts and labour cost off if you're looking into buying it.
Pcv valve also needs replacing imo as this is a week point too.



I doubt there'd be much else wrong with it bar the rear tyres cracking or worn out on the inner edges. CV joint outer boots could be split so get them to check those out and show you pictures  I would after my experience of buying my gti. 

should be immaculate inside out engine bay should be clean enough.

[Octoparrot]

I'm wondering why it's had so many services with such low mileage.

[r5gtt]

I can answer that one 

We get low mileage cars with full stamps as each year the customer will come in to have the car oil change minor or major irrespective of mileage done. I've serviced 02 - 04 cars with fully stamped books and in immaculate condition so there are genuine cars out there 

[Juliand]

Mine's 33k, with 7 vw stamps, on 05 plate. It does rattle at tickover, but only when warm, rather than straight from cold. Suspect it's the cam follower or chain tensioner, but disappears above tickover revs

A few years back, we had a 19k polo, that the previuos owner, Mrs x had only used to go to sainsbuy's in, but that sounded like a proper diesel - ended up being piston slap / crankshaft knock and needing a  new engine, under vw warranty.That was a lucky escape. Ran like a treat with the new engine though - everything else was like brand new

[CarlW]

Seems people buy a car and keep it garaged most of its life, I've recently seen a few E46 M3's with milage between 2-4k! :surprised:But as you can imagine, the price those cars were being sold for was around the same price as a brand new M4... Also seen a couple of MK5 R32's with 4-16k miles going for around the £15-16k mark so there are genuine low milage cars out there but like R5gtt has previously said, check the parts that are known for problems and get them to change before making the sale and you should be rosey

[r5gtt]

A ford escort RS custom C reg series1 17k miles went for 75k a few months back.

[flashp]

I'm wondering why it's had so many services with such low mileage.

Time related rather than mileage.
It's good to see.

There was time and some still consider it so that too few miles can be worse than a healthy higher mileage.

[JackL15]

Got an 07 plate on 33k, bought it two years ago on 26k. Full service history and pretty mint. Some people are weird like me and look after something which hardly gets any use!

[m4rtin]

I'd say credit to the previous owner for having it serviced on time rather than mileage.  At 25k I wouldn't have been suprised to see 2 services and nothing else in the book.

Should be a good car.

[david25]

I took a big-ish risk last year with a 56 plate (nine year old) 26,000 mile GTI.

This car had lived in south London all its life.

Good points:

• Interior condition
• Less oil consumption compared to my 06 GTI
• Less rattles

Bad points:

• Exterior condition

I changed all the basics after collecting including the cambelt and its been fine over the 20,000 miles I've driven.

[Andy]

My gttdi is on a 54plate and only on 55k  and turbo Trev old ed30 was on a 57 plate with only 8k on when he sold it,so they are out thier with very low mileage

[Horatio]

Check the MOT history https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history May highlight a few hidden gremlins!!!

[Freight_raine]

Good Afternoon All

Thanks for all the very useful advice

R5GTT - The rattle could only be heard when the car was turning over to start and seemed to come from under the front seats, if that makes sense, which is why i thought it was exhaust - heatshields.  but the car does look immaculate from what i can see, even the leather looks unworn on the drivers bolster.  The wheels are curbed ut the dealer has offered to refurb them.

Flashp, Thats what i was wondering to be honest, whether a low millage car could be an issue.

Horatio - Good call, i did that and absolutely no issues by the looks of it, just very low millage done.

I must admit im coming around to the idea of this car and a little bit of revo engine tuning

[r5gtt]

Afternoon Freight_raine

It could well be the exhaust rattling as you're saying it's under the car as opposed to the engine bay so if you're really looking to buy this get the dealer to check it out as it's your call and you can usually get them to fix anything before purchasing it but a deposit will be required by them before they touch it. Also an independent RAC inspection would be a good thing but depends what they look for. Wheels are nothing major but make sure the brake discs inners aren't grooved or pitted as this is a common problem with these golf's as I come to learn.