first service 5000km late?

[iampivot]

I'm negotiating to purchase a used 2011 model VW Passat TDI highline from someone privately. It's done about 24000km, and first service was done (at VW) at around 20000km. Should I be concerned about the service being done 5000km late? I would run it through an NRMA Vehicle inspection in any case.

[Umai Naa!!]

I wouldn't worry about it too much. Get the book back on track by getting it serviced at 30,000klms, and then every 15K from there on in.

[kryten2001]

First service is oil and little else. Far from ideal (I change oil in tdi's every 7500km) but not the end of the world.

[Transporter]

I would give it a pass. Obviously, the driver/owner didn't care about the car at all, not a good sign.

[iampivot]

He said he simply ran out of time and didn't get it to the dealer until it had ran 20000km. A Diesel is oiled by the fuel as well, isn't it?

[Umai Naa!!]

Parts of the fuel system, such as the high pressure pump are.

[iampivot]

I might pass on this one I guess. It's a bit far away from where I am as well: VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 125 TDI HIGHLINE 3C MY11 4D WAGON - Merimbula - NSW - $ 36,100

[kryten2001]

I would never personally let a diesel run that far without an oil change. Oil that old must be in a frightful state.

[Diesel_vert]

I wouldn't worry about it too much. Get the book back on track by getting it serviced at 30,000klms, and then every 15K from there on in.

I agree, it's nothing to be worried about.

I might pass on this one I guess. It's a bit far away from where I am as well

Good idea, as I'm sure you can find better examples.

Oil that old must be in a frightful state.

That is not a given.

Depending on how it's driven, the operating conditions faced, quality of the fuel and the type of lubricant used, modern engines specifically designed for extended drain intervals, are in fact capable of extended drain intervals - like the FSI/TSI/TDI engines from VAG.

I'm not saying the drain interval for every TDI engine designed for LongLife servicing & using 507.00 oils should be no less than 30 000 km, but the way VW have engineered the entire system certainly makes that possible.

A single oil change at 20 000 km, though not ideal - given the specified drain interval for this country is 15 000 km - is not a disaster.

[kryten2001]

Yeah mate I agree it wouldnt be a disaster with the quality of modern vag engines but I certainly wouldn't do it...

Every 7500 for me.

The stuff that came out when I did my 7500 oil change made me a convert to the virtues of frequent oil changes in diesels.

[Diesel_vert]

The stuff that came out when I did my 7500 oil change made me a convert to the virtues of frequent oil changes in diesels.

A used oil analysis (which in itself is not the last word on determining an engine's condition) would be more useful and meaningful than a visual inspection.

[Umai Naa!!]

I've pulled a few TDIs down that have had appalling service history (urelated to the reason for dismatling and repair), and I've found them to be quite clean inside.

[iampivot]

Yeah mate I agree it wouldnt be a disaster with the quality of modern vag engines but I certainly wouldn't do it...

In the end it was simply the missus preferring going with a new car over a used ones, based on our experiences with our current lemon Golf MkV. The seller of this Passat seemed really genuine, and it's a really good deal at $36k for a highline TDI.