buying car with rusty arches

[patmc]

Hi all,
I went to view a mk5 gti today at an independent dealer. The car is 2006 but 55 plate with 61k on the clock. It has full VW service history ( bar 1 - which is skoda so essentially the same) and was on its 4th owner before being traded in. Car has full heated leather, sun roof and 17" monzas. Only problem is there is rust on

-front passenger arch
-along lip of boot lid (paint bubbling)
-under drivers door (paint bubbling)

There are stonechips all over the front bonnet and are some on the B pillar. The dealer has assured me that the car will have the rust sorted out and bonnet sprayed for stonechips etc at a local bodyshop. Given the case, would the rust put you off? Price is £6995

Cheers,
Pat

[Dave J]

Hi Pat,

In honesty, it would put me off. I had a mkiv with a rusty arch - rust just kept coming back, even after two 'professional' repairs.
I think for the budget you have there you can find another without these issues...

Good luck with the hunt!

[patmc]

Hi Dave,

That was my gut feeling, but there arent many mk5 gti's over in northern ireland for sale atm! I may hold out til something better turns up!
Thanks for the reply. No point spending money on trouble

Pat

[Kam88]

I always stay away from dealers that say if you buy it I'll repairs it. If that's the case fix it and I would of never knew about it. Important thing is job is cheap as possible temp fix to me maximum profit buy one with no work needed or get one for significantly cheaper and do the work yourself my opinion

[ABeattie93]

Hi Pat,
As Dave already said, that would definitely put me off buying the car, especially at that price! I think you should hold off and wait until something better comes along, which i'm sure it will if that is your budget.

Good luck with the search! 

[basman]

the rust will mmore than likely come back if they repair it they have a sponge inside wing which absorbs moisture rusts inside out try and get the to replace wing

[dave mc]

I have a 2006 gti for sale I am in n Ireland

[wombar]

+1 to what everyone else has said. I wouldn't touch it personally.

Chances are, the dealer is going to get the job done as cheaply as possible to get the car sold. How long will the repair last? Not long enough would be my guess 

I've had friends/family buy cars that were "sorted" by dealers. The repairs were done, but to such a poor standard that they might as well not have bothered. Problem is, they've probably got a deposit from you, so you're probably in a no win situation.

Go find another car would be my advice. Good luck 

[Matthewsimone]

the rust will mmore than likely come back if they repair it they have a sponge inside wing which absorbs moisture rusts inside out try and get the to replace wing

Where is this sponge located please?
Want to remove them on mine while its still rust free!

Mine is a 57 plate so will it still have the daft sponges being a later car?

Thanks

[scopes]

Inside the front inner arches 

[Matthewsimone]

Right a will take a look next time ive got front wheels off, assume its a plastic liner out job for this then?

Ive already noticed a terrible dirt trap at the bottom of front wings if you look through from the door shut area when front doors are open you see lots of leaves and damp dirt collecting so I regularly use a open ended hose to get all the crap out of that area,
Also the area under wipers in engine bay if you remove the black plastic scuttle cover there are lots of dirt traps in that area too which i also clear with hose and ensure the drain holes don't get blocked up etc 

[patmc]

I always stay away from dealers that say if you buy it I'll repairs it. If that's the case fix it and I would of never knew about it. Important thing is job is cheap as possible temp fix to me maximum profit buy one with no work needed or get one for significantly cheaper and do the work yourself my opinion

Hi Pat,
As Dave already said, that would definitely put me off buying the car, especially at that price! I think you should hold off and wait until something better comes along, which i'm sure it will if that is your budget.

Good luck with the search! 

the rust will mmore than likely come back if they repair it they have a sponge inside wing which absorbs moisture rusts inside out try and get the to replace wing

+1 to what everyone else has said. I wouldn't touch it personally.

Chances are, the dealer is going to get the job done as cheaply as possible to get the car sold. How long will the repair last? Not long enough would be my guess 

I've had friends/family buy cars that were "sorted" by dealers. The repairs were done, but to such a poor standard that they might as well not have bothered. Problem is, they've probably got a deposit from you, so you're probably in a no win situation.

Go find another car would be my advice. Good luck 

I didn't put a deposit down, just told him I'd think about it! He called me back today and said it's going to the body shop and I was welcome to come and inspect the car again after the work is done. I was told the work is guaranteed for 3 years! Would there be much work in removing the cause/source of the rust?

Would that change things for any of you or would you still have the same opinion?
Thanks for all the replies!


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[patmc]

I have a 2006 gti for sale I am in n Ireland

What are the specs/mileage and where abouts are you?


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[Dave J]

I think my only query would be on the 3-year guarantee. Is it the dealer who will give this, or the bodyshop who will perform the work? Have they been in business for a long time / are they likely to be trading in three years if you have an issue?
Didn't realise you were over in Ireland - guess that is why the price is a bit higher then!

[Andy]

Wouldn't put it of as I would say put 2 genuine wings on the car and paint the other bits with a warranty on the paint work in writing