About to purchase a second hand Golf tdi, need advice...

[Mofo]

G'day all,
first time poster but long time lurker of this brilliant site.
As the title suggests i'm very close to buying a golf 2.0 tdi, unfortunately funds won't stretch for a brand new one so i've spotted a couple of decent second hand ones at 2 dealers (neither of them VW dealerships).
I just wanted to know whether there is anything specific i should be looking out for or asking whilst I'm there.
Both vehicles have between 30k-50k km's on them, both are 2005 models and both have had their required services performed at VW dealers/service centres.
Having never purchased from a dealer before, can I assume that the cars have been RACQ inspected or, if not, is it something I can request?
Any info or suggestions will be most appreciated.
Cheers

[Mrk_Mickey]

Hey mate, welcome aboard the forums Glad you decided to join. I can't be of much help with your queries, unfortunately. Good luck though!

[mikinoz]

Hi, I would suggest that there are a few things to look out for in your situation. First these cars being 3 years old will be getting short on warranty. They are expensive to repair out of warranty, so I would suggest that you try and get dealer warranty option (even if it costs you some $ at the time). 2005 models are the first model and as such had some niggles, but no common faults. I would request an inspection if you can, but an independent VW person, but RACQ is a good second choice. All the best with it and welcome!

[Mischa]

the golfs are fairly bulletproof as long as their serviced properly. if the cars are running out of warranty then definitely purchase the 2 years extra warranty (the vw australia one, not some crappy dealer specific one). you might be able to work out a deal for the warranty if you buy from a vw dealership but then it might end up being more expensive again. welcome to the forum

[LiFers]

The problem with extended warranties is they usually force you to service at a particular mechanic, who then makes a motzah from you by overcharging for everything.

You may as well save the cost of the warranty and services and then pay for repairs yourself. (Don't forget that warranties/insurance are just a form of gambling. The insurance company always comes out on top. The best way to look at it is will paying for repairs yourself be an unrecoverable event? If so, insure, if not, save the money).

Fifth Gear UK once did a short segment on 2nd hand golfs. The only points they raised were:
1) Check no scuffing of Alloy wheels
2) Check no water leaks (around door frames and the boot)
3) Check no misting up of light housings

[Mofo]

Thanks all for the info and the welcome.
I was hoping they'd be the type of answers i'd get.
As as said, I've been trawling around this site for quite a while now and have taken loads of information which has helped me make a decision.
I am new to VW's and diesels in particular but from everything i've seen and read they are like most things, look after them and keep 'em regularly serviced and they'll look after you.
Might be just a reassurance thing, if i'm going to spend 20k+ on a car I want it to be a good one!

[vw poster]

This will help.

http://www.volkswagen.com.au/vwcms_publish/etc/medialib/vwcms/virtualmaster/en_au/service/warranties.Par.0004.File.pdf

[Mofo]

thanks for the link.
do you or anyone here have this insurance? I've just had a quick look on the VW website but didn't see any prices, any ideas of what these would cost?

[vw poster]

thanks for the link.
do you or anyone here have this insurance? I've just had a quick look on the VW website but didn't see any prices, any ideas of what these would cost?

It's about $1650.00. Cheap insurance for unlimited kilometres and Road Side assistance.

HTH

[Greg Roles]

Wrangle a deal for insurance from the dealer if you buy the car there. A discount dealer extended warranty would be a greater win than mats and headlight protectors thrown in! And they CAN move on fees and interest rates, believe me!

[Mofo]

It's about $1650.00. Cheap insurance for unlimited kilometres and Road Side assistance.

HTH

Is that right about unlimited km's? I only saw 2 options in that link, 1 for up to 1 year/20,000km and the other for 3 years/60,000km.
Maybe different for a new car?

[Mofo]

Wrangle a deal for insurance from the dealer if you buy the car there. A discount dealer extended warranty would be a greater win than mats and headlight protectors thrown in! And they CAN move on fees and interest rates, believe me!

You're talking about the VW extended insurance? If so, can this be purchased even though I wouldn't be buying from a VW dealership?
Or do you mean try and get a warranty deal specific to that particular dealer?
Apologies if i'm a bit vague here

[nayfen]

i've spotted a couple of decent second hand ones at 2 dealers (neither of them VW dealerships). both are 2005 models

if you are going for the extended warranty make sure the 3 years hasn't already passed. other wise your on your own.

i have a 2005 golf tdi 2.0 its been bullet proof for me. happy days

they have 15000km service intervals. check the service log make sure they have performed the last service. and its not due 1 week after you drive out of the place.

if it has been serviced elsewere make sure the oil used is vw approved (THIS IS A MUST) keeps the engine a happy little camper

check all of the door wells, engine bay and boot (lift up the carpet in the boot there is the manufactures build plate there as well while your at it)throughly for overspray. usually a good sign of accident. that in itself not always a biggy but suggest a cheap or $hit pannel beater has worked on the car.

The only thing left to do it gloat about how many kms you get out of 1 tank.

[Mofo]

if you are going for the extended warranty make sure the 3 years hasn't already passed. other wise your on your own.

i have a 2005 golf tdi 2.0 its been bullet proof for me. happy days

they have 15000km service intervals. check the service log make sure they have performed the last service. and its not due 1 week after you drive out of the place.

if it has been serviced elsewere make sure the oil used is vw approved (THIS IS A MUST) keeps the engine a happy little camper

check all of the door wells, engine bay and boot (lift up the carpet in the boot there is the manufactures build plate there as well while your at it)throughly for overspray. usually a good sign of accident. that in itself not always a biggy but suggest a cheap or $hit pannel beater has worked on the car.

The only thing left to do it gloat about how many kms you get out of 1 tank.

Thanks Nayfen, all sounds too easy
will keep you posted as to how things progress, hopefully be motoring along in my new wheels sooner rather than later.

[Guest212]

I'd be wanting to pay less than $30,000 for a 2005 Comfortline sort of trim spec diesel.

Mabye $35,000 max for an 06/07 model in similar trim spec.

And if i were buying second hand and to keep out of warranty, I wouldn't be buying an auto. Only went DSG with my GTI because I knew I wouldn't be keeping it outside of warranty - which is a shame because its a fantastic car and 4500km into it I really wish I'd bought the 6spd manual (but thats not to say the DSG is crap...no sir so far from it!)