URGENT buyers advice

[lance123]

Looking at a GT TDI 150 tomorrow

Very low and probably legit mileage (70k) judging by MOT certs (is this a good way of telling?)

Problem is the car has NO documented service history, dealer assures me previous(and only) owner family business serviced the car. Obviously this really concerns me due to the 150 especially favoring PD oil. Would this put you off? I'm going to speak the previous owner tomorrow, What do you recommend I ask him? I need his word it has been serviced at regular intervals, would that be enough for you guys?

Dealer says car has had new turbo recently. Is this a bad sign? I've noticed people report some pd 150's going regularly through turbo's and other not

Car has recently had it's cambelt changed so that's something.

Would this put you off? Is there any thing specific you advise I should look for on the test drive, inspection?

Thanks I'd really appreciate your opinion on this

[SteBrown91]

If you are having to ask these questions walk away.

Buy a high miler with FSH and receipt's of work done

[Drive Blind]

"dealer says"
"dealer assures me"

dealers will tell you anything to get the sale.
And I bet the dealer is asking top dollar due to the low miles but can't prove the miles?

I'd walk away. Also its not exactly a rare car is it? or must you have the 150? There will be loads of 130's for sale that do have full service history.

[TonyRPH]

lance123 said:

<snip>
Car has recently had it's cambelt changed so that's something.
<snip>

How do you know this without any history?

Or has the dealer done it? (in which case it's likely to be a cheap arse job...)

[loskie]

look at the v5.Get previous keeper's name and speak to them. Normally when you do this folks are more than happy to tell you the story.

[the-photographer]

Phone VW customer services with the number plate. That will tell you any official dealer history

[bitchstewie]

Do dealers ever say "It's an utter mutt of a car, you really shouldn't be buying it and I really shouldn't be selling it"?

It may be fine, cars with FSH fail all the time, thing is you'll never know and if something does go boom you'll forever think it's due to the lack of official history rather than one of those random things that sometimes happens.

Personally, unless there was sufficient in the price to allow for a "bad day" fund I'd be walking away - plenty of other cars.