MK5 GTI buying checklist?

[Phillyf21]

Hi all,

As I’m starting my official hunt this weekend for a mk5 gti  I have created a check list to do some serious negotiations, can you guys please have a look over it and add anything I have missed?

Thanks in advance.

Check list as follows:-

Full service history, VW or VW specialist (stay away from cars with long-life service intervals???)
Check Cambelt and water pump has been replaced on or around 60k miles
Check the car has had the coil pack recall (if applicable???)
Check for DSG oil and filter service every 40k (if applicable)
Check the air conditioning works, if not check if it needs a re-gas or the compressor is shot, if the latter negotiate £500 of sale price?
Check receipts for a replacement/upgraded DV, if none can be found negotiate £50 of sale price
Check receipts for a replacement cam follower, if none can be found negotiate £50 of the sale price
Check for rust under the wheel arches

Anything else........

[Scottymon]

Sounds good.

Also check sills, and basically all over for signs of rust - also corrosion of Alloys / Boot Badge / Centre Caps... once the white worm starts it won't stop without a refurb.

The best scenario would allow you to scan the car for errors / problem areas before purchase...

Also, I'd be haggling reductions more inline with what VW would charge to replace said parts... DV and Cam Follower probably £100 ea., even though they are DIY's.

Like any other car, check discs/pads/tyres all round to see how much life is left in them and reduce cost accordingly.

Happy hunting!

[clive_gti]

Check Cambelt and water pump has been replaced on or around 60k miles

Or 4 years regardless of miles

[rallycross]

Check Cambelt and water pump has been replaced on or around 60k miles

Or 4 years regardless of miles

sorry but that's not very realistic advice and most owners will tell you to get lost if you expect a new cambelt after just 4 years when vw tell you its more.

also worth checking on the vosa MOT history site there you can see mileages from last few years MOT's (and any fails, gives you an idea of whats been done to it).

also make sure 2 x keys, pain if only one.

[richtung]

Check Cambelt and water pump has been replaced on or around 60k miles

Or 4 years regardless of miles

sorry but that's not very realistic advice and most owners will tell you to get lost if you expect a new cambelt after just 4 years when vw tell you its more.

But the stated intervals for changing the cambelt is 4 years OR 60k miles , whichever comes first (according to VW). Not only is it realistic, its a deal breaker in my eyes. If the owner has neglected to change the cambelt at the correct interval, what else have they neglected...?

Rich

[Gide76]

Check cam chain noise (sounds a little like a diesel) it's on the right of the engine as you look at the car. Opposite side to cam belt.

If it sounds horrendous then budget around £400 to change.

Bought mine cheap, had it done and it sounds 100% better.

Also check thermostat so if car gets to 90degrees then drops when running stat could be stuck open. About £130 to do.

Also had that done on mine.

Other than that make sure it has heated leather:) good luck


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[Gide76]

Edit drops when driving (it should get to 90 when sat running!).


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[edd666999]

get the car on a hill, bum pointing up. Wack dsg in reverse and let go of the brake. it should take the weight of the car and slowly move back. It may move slightly forward, but shouldnt jerk.

[MC71]

Check Cambelt and water pump has been replaced on or around 60k miles

Or 4 years regardless of miles

sorry but that's not very realistic advice and most owners will tell you to get lost if you expect a new cambelt after just 4 years when vw tell you its more.

also worth checking on the vosa MOT history site there you can see mileages from last few years MOT's (and any fails, gives you an idea of whats been done to it).

also make sure 2 x keys, pain if only one.

Codswallop!

"Most owners" who know about Mk5 Golfs (that'll be us lot BTW)  will tell you that its 60k miles OR 4 years, whichever comes first. VW also state its 4 years (4 years pre 2009, 4/5 post 2009) for the Mk5 platform, end off.

I wouldn't go NEAR a car that hadn't had this major requirement done on time, or very close to. There are LOADS of peeps on here with 8/9 year old cars that haven't even covered anywhere near 60k miles as yet.

[garrardrj]

Check Cambelt and water pump has been replaced on or around 60k miles

Or 4 years regardless of miles

sorry but that's not very realistic advice and most owners will tell you to get lost if you expect a new cambelt after just 4 years when vw tell you its more.

also worth checking on the vosa MOT history site there you can see mileages from last few years MOT's (and any fails, gives you an idea of whats been done to it).

also make sure 2 x keys, pain if only one.

Codswallop!

"Most owners" who know about Mk5 Golfs (that'll be us lot BTW)  will tell you that its 60k miles OR 4 years, whichever comes first. VW also state its 4 years (4 years pre 2009, 4/5 post 2009) for the Mk5 platform, end off.

I wouldn't go NEAR a car that hadn't had this major requirement done on time, or very close to. There are LOADS of peeps on here with 8/9 year old cars that haven't even covered anywhere near 60k miles as yet.

Be gentle they've only got 17 posts , they don't know nuffin

[Frodo-anni]

Ive done 56k mines been done twice, once under warranty, just had it done last month as it had passed 4 years, but only 30k.  Paid £404 for cambelt, waterpump, tensioner, pulleys, at main dealer. 

Check:
Service History - ideally on time and distance, every 10k, with Long life oil.
Cambelt - 4 years or 60k
DSG - oil & filter every 40k regardless!!!!!
DSG - check service history has it had mechatronics.
Check DSG for jerky changes, test through all gears, stop move between D & R and move the car abit each time.
Spark plugs - these only get changed by VW at 60k (apparently they are long life) I had mine changed when i found this out.
Check wings, sills, boot handle for corrosion.
Check interior seat bolsters can wear, if leather scuffed, leather repair kits can hide the marks.

Have a priority spec list then a nice to have. Lots of things can be retro fitted, ie RNS sat nav, MFSW, armrest, MDI connection etc..

[MC71]

Check Cambelt and water pump has been replaced on or around 60k miles

Or 4 years regardless of miles

sorry but that's not very realistic advice and most owners will tell you to get lost if you expect a new cambelt after just 4 years when vw tell you its more.

also worth checking on the vosa MOT history site there you can see mileages from last few years MOT's (and any fails, gives you an idea of whats been done to it).

also make sure 2 x keys, pain if only one.

Codswallop!

"Most owners" who know about Mk5 Golfs (that'll be us lot BTW)  will tell you that its 60k miles OR 4 years, whichever comes first. VW also state its 4 years (4 years pre 2009, 4/5 post 2009) for the Mk5 platform, end off.

I wouldn't go NEAR a car that hadn't had this major requirement done on time, or very close to. There are LOADS of peeps on here with 8/9 year old cars that haven't even covered anywhere near 60k miles as yet.

Be gentle they've only got 17 posts , they don't know nuffin

Ahh, fair point. 

Sorry rallycross, hadn't noticed your post count.   

[Phillyf21]

Thanks for the replies fellas.

Im having second thoughts now about dsg as I've done some digging on various vag sites and the general consensus is to stay away from dsg if over 60k and as I'll be purchasing between 60-80k I may just go for the manual.

Any thoughts on this?

[Tortaruga]

If it's been serviced correctly it should be fine.

[clive_gti]

You're right to be cautious with the DSG as it could be costly if it goes wrong. However there are plenty of owners on here with DSG and over 60k miles that have no issues, myself included.

If it has been serviced properly then it shouldn't be a problem IMO but as above give it a good test in all gears and drive a few to see if u feel a difference.

Also remember that a manual box may need a clutch replacement at 80+k depending on how it was treated but the DSG clutches should be good for much more.


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