Buying first car 2010 VW Passat 134k miles

[TomasR91]

Hi guys, first time poster, looking some advice on buying a first time car, it's a 2010 VW Passat, with 134k miles, DSG auto.

Its current MOT is until Jan 24, so not long left, but has passed 10 of it's last 12 Mots. Is selling with this short of an MOT a red flag. Also no documentation of a timing belt, water pump change.

Any advice on what I should be looking for?

Edited by TomasR91 on Sunday 3rd December 19:57

[IJWS15]

Private or trade?

I would treat the mot as a red flag, why wouldn’t the seller do it as it would add more than the cost to the value of the car.

[TomasR91]

It's from a trader, I was thinking it's a red flag, car priced at £2950, and is the highline plus trim. Maybe too good a deal, just worried about buying a car that'll need loads of work as a first car

[BlindedByTheLights]

I wouldn’t say an upcoming MOT a month away is a red flag, just ask for it to be done first or price it in.

[heisthegaffer]

I personally wouldn't get anything as complicated or high mileage as that.

Do you really need that exact car?

I don't know your circumstances but if I had 3k for my first car (or any number of cars I'd owned) I'd be getting a Honda Civic all day long. Really reliable and good value.

[ZX10R NIN]

Has it had a recent suspension refresh?

Has the DSG unit been serviced as per the schedule?

Has it been regularly serviced?

If there's no paperwork to verify the above, then I'd be cautious, with no documentation of the timing belt & water pump being done I'd probably walk away.

What model is it?

[Bobupndown]

Would be due it's second timing belt on age...

[CrippsCorner]

I know prices are still crazy at the bottom end, but surely that seems a grand over priced for that mileage?

I wouldn't go DSG unless there was proof of work personally.

Are you specifically after an auto, saloon? I'm sure the PistonHeads crew (or let's be honest, ZX10R NIN ) can find better alternatives...

[nobrakes]

This one?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302124...

[Snow and Rocks]

As above there's a quite a bit that could go expensively wrong on a DSG diesel VW of that age with unknown history.

Do you particularly want an auto and that size of car?

[Gad-Westy]

Ignoring everything else, it likely should have had 3x DSG oil changes by now assuming that the schedule is the same as my old Audi. If no evidence of that I’d probably walk away. Just not worth the risk at this end of the market.

[ZX10R NIN]

nobrakes said:

This one?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302124...

That's a manual

[TomasR91]

Sorry, can't post a link to the car, my account isn't old enough. It's listed on usedcars ni, at £2950, Passat auto.

I'm leaning towards just walking away, especially with no history on the DSG service.

As far as cars go, I'm not looking for a VW in particular, just an auto, with good space, as I have children with prams to carry, and space for shopping etc. auto because my wife only drives auto.

[ZX10R NIN]

Look at the Insignia, they have a conventional auto BUT they do need the oil pick up pipe replacing (around £200) as it's a weak spot again make sure the timing belt has been done or budget for it. Also check if the gearbox has been done then budget/negotiate for that too.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311234...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312044...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310243...

2.0 Mazda6 TS:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311294...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311224...