Yearly service or every two years???

[StanEd30]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking to buy an 06 plate GTI that has been serviced at:-

15832-Aug 2007
31416-May 2009
54292-May 2011
71696-Feb 2013

All have been completed by VW but they seem too long apart for me especially the 23,000 miles between 2009 and 2011.

Is this ok or should they be serviced every 12 months?

Many thanks,

Stan

[GTI-Ross]

stay away, if the guy cant be arsed serving it, what else may he have neglected?

[Tortaruga]

It has been on the longlife regime as opposed to time /distance. It should be fine as long as it has had longlife oil used.

T&D servicing is generally agreed to be better for a gti.

[edewer]

Mine has only done 40k on an 07 and so has only had 4 services, as was on long life, although I'll be doing it yearly from now on.

I wouldn't be worried, listening to everyone who tries to scare you on the net with result in you never buying anything!

[garrardrj]

My 2007 22000 mile ED30 has had its oil changed 6 times in the 6 services it has had to date at 7106 , 12257 . 15048 , 17610 , 19247 and 20460

You should never buy a car that someone has not cared for and spent money on quality parts .  Cheap tyres is a first sign of someone cutting back .

[sootpig]

If private leave well alone or get it checked over before buying
If main dealer buy it as it will be approved
  As edewer said

[wagonboy]

My 2007 ED30 DSG  (Nov.)  Also 22,000 miles has had 6 services,  had the cambelt/water pump done and a full DSG service.
Can't believe someone would leave a car 23,000 miles without a service even with longlife oil in it.
As previously said it puts doubt in your mind as to what else has been overlooked.

[garrardrj]

My 2007 ED30 DSG  (Nov.)  Also 22,000 miles has had 6 services,  had the cambelt/water pump done and a full DSG service.
Can't believe someone would leave a car 23,000 miles without a service even with longlife oil in it.
As previously said it puts doubt in your mind as to what else has been overlooked.

Mines silver too but manual 

[wagonboy]

My 2007 ED30 DSG  (Nov.)  Also 22,000 miles has had 6 services,  had the cambelt/water pump done and a full DSG service.
Can't believe someone would leave a car 23,000 miles without a service even with longlife oil in it.
As previously said it puts doubt in your mind as to what else has been overlooked.

Mines silver too but manual 

Great cars had mine since it had done 4,200 miles at 10 months old a (VW car)

[Llew]

If the price is right Take the car for a drive and see for yourself, you can always use the lack of service as a bartering tool, me personally it wouldn't bother me though ,tough engines produced by the Germans IMO

[skard]

I recently bought a 140CR that had similar miles between servicing, but this was done over short periods (18-22k a year).
That is Longlife servicing and if proper oil was used then it is ok.

First thing I did was drop the oils and transmission/brake fluids for peace of mind.

I agree it makes it less appealing but don't walk from an otherwise good car over it.

[edewer]

carrying on from earlier point though......
Whilst my car has been on the long life plan its yet to have the cam belt done. 2 years overdue yes, but well within the mileage requirements. it has however been checked by a local specialist year on year with supporting reports, and still in excellent condition. The only reason i'm now doing it myself is from a resale point of view.

I have receipts totalling thousands for service work, and the all important ESP/ABS replacement done under warranty. Sure it came with firestone tyres on it, but it was driven a very short commute by a chap who used it as a company vehicle. Why would you run michelin or alike for a low speed uninvolving journey?

I managed to knock £1500 off the price of what was already a very cheeky offer due to the tyres and cam belt, so even after i've shelled out on that lot i'm still sat with a car thats £2000 odd cheaper than the next closest example. i fully checked it over including diagnostic test and it came back perfect, and my trusted mechanic has backed all this up, so I wouldn't be worried if you know what you're looking for.

[Tortaruga]

Can't believe someone would leave a car 23,000 miles without a service even with longlife oil in it.

This is what you're supposed to do under the longlife regime. You wait until the car tells you it needs a service so perhaps the large mileages between services in this instance actually show that the car hasn't been ragged. Strangely it could be a good sign...

[garrardrj]

carrying on from earlier point though......
Whilst my car has been on the long life plan its yet to have the cam belt done. 2 years overdue yes, but well within the mileage requirements. it has however been checked by a local specialist year on year with supporting reports, and still in excellent condition. The only reason i'm now doing it myself is from a resale point of view.

I have receipts totalling thousands for service work, and the all important ESP/ABS replacement done under warranty. Sure it came with firestone tyres on it, but it was driven a very short commute by a chap who used it as a company vehicle. Why would you run michelin or alike for a low speed uninvolving journey?

I managed to knock £1500 off the price of what was already a very cheeky offer due to the tyres and cam belt, so even after i've shelled out on that lot i'm still sat with a car thats £2000 odd cheaper than the next closest example. i fully checked it over including diagnostic test and it came back perfect, and my trusted mechanic has backed all this up, so I wouldn't be worried if you know what you're looking for.

Not replacing your cambelt is madness , receipts totalling thousands and still not done the cambelt ! If you spent thousands and the cambelt snapped what then ? A visual check wont find anything either , especially if you have seen ones that have snapped .

[edewer]

madness on his part yes, hence why i got it as cheap as I did.

It got home without turning a wheel, and has a 1/4 mile trip for its cam belt change on the 30th, so I'm not taking any risks. clearly the previous owner did, but it runs sweet as a nut and the underside is immaculate.

I'll admit it did put me off initially though