Golf GTI Mk5 - High Miler

[PistonPete81]

Hello there. I'm looking to get a Mk5 Golf GTI manual as a daily and I have 3.5k to 4k to spend max. The ones i'm looking at all have around 100 to 110k on and i'm just a bit concerned as I don't see many for sale with much over 125k....Are there any major woes to be wary of with these that may be killing these cars off when they get too far above 100k? From what I read they are well built and i'm hoping to get a couple of years out of one before being able to sell on - I do around 12k to 15k per year.

I'm obviously fine with suspension bushes, dampers and even the turbo needing replacement but just want to check there's nothing major on these that will end up writing the car off if I buy a high miler.

Cheers,


Pete

[PistonPete81]

Any advice would be great.

Cheers,


Pete

[rallycross]

That is not high miles for a 10 yr old Golf plenty of these around with huge mileages they can take it no particular problems.

Check for warning lights on dash, can be much more expensive than just needing an 02 sensor.
Check for shiny worn steering wheel and worn pedal rubbers and frayed seat belt = clocked
If DSG check for jerky in stop start traffic and check for reverse being even more jerky
Rust on front arches and bootlid
They dont drive as well on larger wheels so stick to standard 17"

Edited by rallycross on Wednesday 7th December 19:24

[blearyeyedboy]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

They're variable with respect to oil burning. Some need very little, some need an awful lot. Not an awful problem *if* the owner's aware and tops it up.

TL, DR: Check the dipstick and ask if the owner tops up regularly. If they don't know/don't care, walk away. That's probably good advice irrespective of the car.

[PistonPete81]

Great, thanks for the advice, i'll bear that all in mind. And thanks for the reassurance about the mileage - i'm currently riding around in a 116k X Reg Puma and i'm pretty sure that (as brilliant as the Puma has been) the Golf will feel / be a fair bit more durable than that....

[Greigzy]

I have had my second mk5 GTI for a year, and have done 14k in it. I bought it at 138k and its now on 152k. It also passed its MOT at the weekend with no advisories.

It's also running 340 BHP with no issues!

Things to look out for - rust everywhere (especially front wings are rear arches), blocked up oil pickup lines, burst diverter valves and broken PCV's.

I was actually considering selling mine, if you want any further information, let me know.