200,000 miles on a Golf mk5?

[kayzee]

Got bored of looking around the same cars for sale and came across a Golf GTI on mega miles... never had a car with this high miles before, though I do usually go high as I don't do many miles myself (just 15k in the past 4 years)

It apparently has full service history but I was wondering what issues could arise from this amount of miles? Looks pretty mint from the pictures, but obviously those can be deceptive. I'm actually travelling to something else which is over 300 miles away over the weekend and this car just happens to be an extra half hours drive from there so if I was ever going to look, it would be soon!

Cheers.

[99Chimaera]

Hi.
If it is DSG one. The gearbox oil and filters should be changed every 40k which is approx £250 to do. Generally they are pretty bullet proof if it has been maintained properly.

Hope this helps.

[RadoVR6]

Mine has 110k on and mechanically it feels like new.

Bodywork regarding rust is another issue!

[Dr G]

At 200k simple wear will become an issue; Think a bit of oil consumption, dampers, bushings, bearings...

in terms of failures you can be talking cam follower wear on the drive for the high pressure fuel pump, air con compressors on MKVs are quite common, the dash in them was known to rattle a bit even when new, they've fairly pronounced seat bolsters so look for wear or collapsed foam, look carefully for rusty wheel arches.

Plenty of MKV owners around here to fill in the bits I've probably missed.

[the-photographer]

You want some documented history over the past 50,000 miles.

Then you have the usual Golf problems (as documented many times), I think the biggest downside might be a tired interior, get some pics before you travel.

[va1o]

99Chimaera said:

Hi.
If it is DSG one. The gearbox oil and filters should be changed every 40k which is approx £250 to do. Generally they are pretty bullet proof if it has been maintained properly.

Hope this helps.

Shouldn't be quite that much, I've only ever paid £179 and that's at a VW Main dealer in North London. But agree it needs to be done to schedule! Generally if looked after the DSG will last a long period, whereas a Manual could need a new clutch and DMF every 100k or so

[kayzee]

Decided against going today as there are just other cars I like (Fiesta ST & Civic Type-R) which you can get for the same price with literally half the mileage.

I'm still not sure though! I drive past the garage where it's at tomorrow whilst going somewhere else so even though it's shut I might swing by and have a nose around the exterior. Interior etc. looks pretty mint from the pictures...

As for things that need replacing every 100k or so, I guess there can't be that much difference between buying one on 90k and 190k!? Or is that a stupid way of thinking about it lol. As for the gearbox... luckily it's manual.

[bigvanfan]

va1o said:

Shouldn't be quite that much, I've only ever paid £179 and that's at a VW Main dealer in North London. But agree it needs to be done to schedule! Generally if looked after the DSG will last a long period, whereas a Manual could need a new clutch and DMF every 100k or so

I know it all depends on how you use the clutch but mine has 154k on original clutch and it feels spot on still, It gets used properly as well

[bigvanfan]

va1o said:

Shouldn't be quite that much, I've only ever paid £179 and that's at a VW Main dealer in North London. But agree it needs to be done to schedule! Generally if looked after the DSG will last a long period, whereas a Manual could need a new clutch and DMF every 100k or so

I know it all depends on how you use the clutch but mine has 154k on original clutch and it feels spot on still, It gets used properly as well

[gvij]

At 200k Id budget for a new dsg mechatronic ,clutch packs, electric steering rack, bushings, wheel bearings, callipers, discs, turbo, rad, battery, windscreen, bonnet repaint from chips, headlamps, carpets, seat, steering wheel, gearknob, seatbelt and retractor, timing belt, water pump. All unless evidence of recent work. Basically unviable economically.

[kayzee]

Well I decided to go for a test drive because it was only 45 minutes out the way on a 4 hour drive home!

Looked mint to be honest, bonnet was okay just a few chips... headlights okay, fresh tyres and refurbished wheels. Went for a little drive and it pulled slightly better than my Clio 182, handled the road very well.

History wise apparently it's 'full' but the garage could only find it up to 90k, hmm... said he'll get back to me. Evidence of cambelt change though and tyres (Pirelli) and fresh brakes over the years, so not too bad.

Got him down a bit and said I'd think about it over the next day or so. Tough call! I always feel you're taking a risk with really high miles but my current car is on 125k and is an absolute diamond to be fair so it does give me faith lol.