Buying - What to look out for?

[Matt17121991]

New to this forum 

I have a budget of around 6-7000 for a Mk5 GTI or even edition 30 if the budget reached, doubtful though. Looking online I should be able to get a good example well looked after 2007/2008 plate with a FSH and below 100k miles for this money.

Is there anything major I should be looking out for on these cars/engines?

[lukemk5gti]

Check if the following have been done:

Cam follower
PCV
Diverter Valve

Look for rust around wheel arches and door sills

Look for good spec, it's easy to retrofit but is costly so it's often better to find high spec beforehand i.e. xenon lights, leather, sunroof, highline clocks, dsg, MFSW, RNS510 etc...

[Leco_GTI]

Check if the tyres are run-flat. Mine came with run-flat and they are expensive to replace. The rear ones were (Hankook) barely legal and the front ones (Dunlop Sport Maxx RT) had loads of thread but I found them horrible even when was dry. So I changed all four of them to Toyo T1 Sport and I am very happy with it.

Also when you go for a test drive make sure the car reaches temperature otherwise you will be looking to have the main thermostat replaced as I had on mine. If the car takes too long to reach temperature and it's a DSG you will be looking at two inlines thermostats.

I had the cam follower, diverter valve, pcv and two inline thermostats replaced for £420 (parts and labour). The main thermostat was replaced under warranty.

[Kezma]

If its DSG check to make sure its been serviced every 40k. If there isnt any history of the cam follower being replaced you want to do that. And as mentioned spec so things like xenons and heated seats are expensive and difficult to retrofit.

[f00glee]

Check the A/C works - common fault for the compressor to go (~£500 repair). Maybe harder to diagnose at this time of year.

Also check the alarm siren sounds and the doors lock and unlock reliably.

When the engine is fully warm listen for a "dieseley" or "marbles in a tin can" sound in the cabin. If this can be heard, the cam chain tensioner could be failing leading to a sloppy chain at temperature. Chain and tensioner replacement is a ~£400 repair if genuine parts are used.

 

[DBXdarkangel]

Check your bank balance. Take a long look at it then kiss it goodbye. Joking :)

[RetroRaz]

Mines for sale here.

http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=111674.0

Has had everything changed as mentioned above and in  your price budget

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[lukemk5gti]

Mines for sale here.

http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=111674.0

Has had everything changed as mentioned above and in  your price budget

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And it's more than likely better looked after than anything else you've been looking at online!

[RetroRaz]

Cheers Luke. The new owner will have a hassle free car :)

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