Buying Advice

[graeme4130]

Hi All
Sorry for making my first post a question, I've been a long term lerker on this forum, but I've only just got around to joining

I've always taken a company car from work, and have a TVR Chimaera as a toy car, but I'm chopping in the boring company car and I'm currently in the market for a GTI with a budget of around 9k to spend which lands me right in MK5 territory

I had a drive of a friends Mk5 a few months ago and absolutely fell in love with it, so the time's now come.

In terms of what car, then It needs to be 5doors (as we have 2kids) and DSG (as my mrs can't really, or rather wont, drive a manual) and would preferably be Grey, DK Blue or Black and possibly with leather and 18" monzas

I've seen a few for sale within my budget on Pistonheads and Autotrader and I'm going to arrange to go and see some over the next week or so, but I've really appreciate some good tips and what to look for and what possible issues that would be worth keeping a firm eye out for a MK5.
I've heard stories of 'white worm' alloy damage on the Monza wheels and also making sure G/Box oil is changed.

Any information would be greatly appreciated

Thanks in advance

Cheers

Graeme Hardie
Swindon

[Top Cat]

Hi Graeme 

The main  2 faults to look for if buying outside of warranty is, DSG gearbox, as you mention check the service diary, but mainly check the operation. Look out for kangaroo jumping in reverse ( especially on a downhill slope ) jerkyness in general but mainly in low gears.
And the other one is the air-con check for full operation and if it has been serviced. They can be expensive to fix as well. Apart from that the generally bullet proof.