New joiner - buying advice appreciated!

[crashs2k]

Hi,

New joiner hopefully going to be a new owner in a few weeks.

Am looking at a couple of cars and wondering what the general consensus (if any) is in terms of main dealer service history vs. main dealer and independent?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201910052993179?quantity-of-doors=5&advertising-location=at_cars&transmission=Manual&maximum-mileage=90000&postcode=al15be&model=GOLF&year-to=2008&keywords=gti&minimum-badge-engine-size=2.0&make=VOLKSWAGEN&radius=1500&price-to=10000&sort=price-asc&year-from=2007&fuel-type=Petrol&exclude-writeoff-categories=on&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&page=1

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MK5-Golf-GTI-Stunning-Condition-Low-Mileage-Rare-Colour-FSH-Must-See/274027615006#viTabs_0

Autotrader car has a full main dealer service history with the cambelt change done at 71K miles in 2017 with 4 previous owners.  Mileage has varied as I assume due to change in ownership.

eBay car has full service history (main dealer up until 2013 and then annual independents) with cambelt done in Feb 2019.  Looks to have done on average 4K miles pa for the last 7 years from the MOT history (assume with the same owner).

Have yet to view them but condition looks very good on both.

Thoughts?

Thanks,
John

[Mark_DF05]

Main dealer servicing means nothing more to me than a stamp. As long as it serviced at the required intervals it doesn't bother me one bit if it was done by a main dealer or an independent.

Both cars seem tidy, there are things to look out for like rust on front wings. Would also check if the diverter valve, pcv and cam follower have been changed at any point as if not you'll want to check/replace them on whichever one you purchase.

[pudding]

Agreed.  A service is only as good as the person doing it and the quality of the parts used.  Always buy on condition rather than history as that tells you a lot more than a stamp does.  If the service folder is full of VW invoices as opposed to EuroCarParts/GSF ones, then even better.

Both examples look very clean and nice and straight in terms of panel gaps, but only closer inspection will confirm.  Cheap tyres also tells you a lot about the previous owner.

[titchy]

The one on ebay says 4 wheel drive in the description

[MIJ_JAGGER]

Exhaust is not sitting right on the eBay one

[titchy]

it says in description four wheel drive!

[bobby_fodge]

Exhaust is not sitting right on the eBay one

Tyres are Toyo Proxies, midrange.

"there are invoices for most of the work completed." Most? clarify what invoices are there. You don't want that usual chesnut of previous owner moved house and lost the paperwork so common on ebay.

I'm always keen to know when the pads and discs were last changed and what brands were used.

That exhaust manufacturer is Polish, hardly any info on the web about them.

[Octoparrot]

Both look nice straight cars, I guess it's a case of viewing them and seeing which one you prefer.

[Mark_DF05]

Also, for that amount of money would it not be worth looking at Edition 30s? I'm sure I've seen some around that price although I haven't looked too closely so they maybe poor examples

[crashs2k]

Thanks for all of the advice and feedback!

I went for the silver car in the end and picked it up on Monday.  Having been in MPV / family-wagon exodus for the last decade, to be back in a sporty car is a revelation and am really pleased with it.  Car is in great condition inside and out and feels amazingly fresh for an 11 year old car with 79K on the clock.

On the run back around the M25 temperature gauge was reading sub-70 and only hitting 90 in slower traffic so suspected a faulty / stuck thermostat.  Car was booked into local VW specialist to get DV, PCV and cam follower checked / replaced so was all replaced together.

Interestingly, the DV was already a Rev. G spec and looked like it was in good condition (no tears etc.) but afterwards car felt a bit livelier?  Would you potentially still be losing boost even if the DV wasn't torn?

Anyway,  looking forward to many more miles and potentially a stage 1 remap in the spring. 

Wife is already looking for any excuse to borrow what is supposed to be my work / commute car so seems I'm not the only one who is happy with the new purchase!