Newbie advice please; low oil level

[Smithy80]

Hello everyone, I am currently after an Edition 30, I viewed what seemed like a decent one yesterday with the last oil change done 4000 miles ago, but after the test drive I checked the oil level after 5 minutes and no oil was showing on the dipstick.
Turned the car around as was on a slight incline, and still nothing.
Car drove fine, no funny noises etc. Is there an oil level warning light on these?
Don't no whether to take a risk and get an immeditate oil change or just avoid!
Any advice appreciated thanks.

[pudding]

Avoid.

No oil on the dipstick is one of the biggest red flags ever when it comes to car buying.  It clearly demonstrates owner neglect and a fooked engine.

Good ED30s don't clean out the sump in 4000 miles.  The oil level on mine doesn't move over the same distance, and it's quite a leggy old engine now.

P.S. Yes they do have oil level/condition sensors in the sump, as well as an oil pressure buzzer/light on the dash.  I'm amazed it even ran well, but I think there is roughly 1.5 litres left still when the dipstick is dry, but the engine will have a litre or so running around it in use, so fook knows how that thing is even going still.

[LC5F]

Yes - not ideal trying to sell a car without keeping on top of the basics

But have to admit due to high oil consumption mine would keep running low, with a couple of times the stick was dry...monthly checks...but the bottom end is still running strong and no damage to top end- it seems my sump sensor wasn't working and the reason for oil loss was turbo oil seal was toast.

Oil change of 4.6 litres 4k miles ago, if it's now at the 1.5 litres, its burnt/lost 3 litres at a rate of 1300 miles per litre - surprisingly high considering normal tolerance for oil consumption is 800 620 miles per litre.

It sounds suspect to me and this may be the reason it's up for sale.

[pudding]

Just as a disclaimer, 1.5 litres remaining on a dry stick is just an estimate based on messing around with oil extractors in the past. It could be more, or less.

I'm not condoning people ignore a dry stick if they think there's still plenty of oil in the sump based off that comment 

Anyway, as we all know, VW quote 1000km per litre is in tolerance, just to cover their arses because oil consumption is unpredictable.  Driving style, fuel dilution and oil age since last change all affect consumption.

Mine does use some if I thrash it regularly, but driven 'normally', it barely uses anything in between 3-4K changes.  I can now smell oil burning sat in traffic and I get a very small puff of blue if I rev it after 10 mins of idling, so at some point either the head or turbo will need doing, or both!

I check the oil once a week, mainly just to see how my O ring mod is holding out 

[Smithy80]

Thank you for the replies, appreciate that.
I did think probably best to avoid, was a shame as I liked the car, but don't want a potential headache.
Where would an oil warning light display on the dash as I did wander if it wasn't working (or is it a case of once that lights up its probably too late)? Does it tell you on the highline display, as I checked the other warning lights were working in the speedo and rev counters, but can't see an oil symbol light there?
Cheers

[LC5F]

No worries Pudding -
Sounds like its drinking oil - mine at its worst was going through half a litre of oil in 150 to 200 miles - this may be a way to bring the price down, that is if the OP liked the car otherwise.

[chimp400]

They are known for liking a drink, maybe it’s being thrashed all the time now it’s being sold and they didn’t realise it had burned all the oil up.
Blatant plug but my edition 30 is up for sale on the usual sites, needs some cosmetic tlc but is full of trick parts and mechanically sound.
Have not put in on here as it’s too quiet and I can’t attach photos easily.
It’s a red, manual 5 door on 98000 miles so not everyone’s cup of tea.