Pre-purchase inspections worth it on Das WeltAuto car?
Discussion
Hey folks.
Gave up on the Beetle, so on to my second choice. Found a very nice example of a Golf MK7 Match. 16 reg, 41k miles. Checked it out, and I'm no mechanic, but drives well to me (I've not driven another MK7, and has been some years since I drove a Golf). I was actually picked up in it from the station (my request), about five minutes drive from the garage, so that probably doesn't qualify for a 'cold start'. Had a look around of course, and though I don't know exactly what I'm looking for, couldn't see anything glaringly obvious.
I appreciate there are many of these around, but the trim and extras is exactly what I'm after. I found a 3dr version, a long distance from me, 10k less miles, for £100 more. 3dr would be inconvenient. I can't find any more in the country with this spec in that price range. So I went ahead and placed a refundable deposit.
The car is being sold through a VW garage, so is sold through the Das WeltAuto approved programme. The car has been serviced at a garage local to the previous owner (not too far from where it is now), with it's final service, a minor, at the VW garage. Had a look through and saw nothing that would concern me.
Is it worth getting another, pre-purchase inspection done by AA/RAC/ClickMechanic/whoever (ClickMechanics are a lot cheaper... anyone used these)? It's a car that's nearly £12k, and with no big repairs yet, I'm wondering if I should be expecting something soon with its current mileage.
What are your thoughts? Never spent this kind of money a second hand car before so naturally wary, after previous bad luck. Thanks
Gave up on the Beetle, so on to my second choice. Found a very nice example of a Golf MK7 Match. 16 reg, 41k miles. Checked it out, and I'm no mechanic, but drives well to me (I've not driven another MK7, and has been some years since I drove a Golf). I was actually picked up in it from the station (my request), about five minutes drive from the garage, so that probably doesn't qualify for a 'cold start'. Had a look around of course, and though I don't know exactly what I'm looking for, couldn't see anything glaringly obvious.
I appreciate there are many of these around, but the trim and extras is exactly what I'm after. I found a 3dr version, a long distance from me, 10k less miles, for £100 more. 3dr would be inconvenient. I can't find any more in the country with this spec in that price range. So I went ahead and placed a refundable deposit.
The car is being sold through a VW garage, so is sold through the Das WeltAuto approved programme. The car has been serviced at a garage local to the previous owner (not too far from where it is now), with it's final service, a minor, at the VW garage. Had a look through and saw nothing that would concern me.
Is it worth getting another, pre-purchase inspection done by AA/RAC/ClickMechanic/whoever (ClickMechanics are a lot cheaper... anyone used these)? It's a car that's nearly £12k, and with no big repairs yet, I'm wondering if I should be expecting something soon with its current mileage.
What are your thoughts? Never spent this kind of money a second hand car before so naturally wary, after previous bad luck. Thanks
I wouldn't bother personally. What exactly are you fearful of? (E.g. unwarranted, total failure of something expensive?).
If it was a more complex or unusual car, being sold without warranty, then perhaps you'd consider it. But this is a common car being sold through a manufacturer approved used programme, which should mitigate most disaster scenarios for the first year.
If it was a more complex or unusual car, being sold without warranty, then perhaps you'd consider it. But this is a common car being sold through a manufacturer approved used programme, which should mitigate most disaster scenarios for the first year.
What you get, aside from the car is 1) 12 month's Das WeltAuto Warranty, 2) Roadside Assistance, and 3) MOT failure cover for the next MOT, as long as the car is 'main dealer' serviced.
There was a concerted attempt to add on GAP insurance, lost key cover, and a magic paint coating which renders the paint impervious to alien attack/invasion by giant centipedes. There will be, say VW, an offer of an extended warranty before the year's Das WeltAuto warranty is up.
So an independent assessment especially for a 16 plate car, might not be necessary.
What you must get (ask) is a printout of the Das WeltAuto 'Confirmation of Warranty Cover'. It's a single sheet of A4 which confirms the three items above. Car should also have both VW keys, and the stamped up service book.
Also the V5 'number of owners' should tally with the details the dealer offers. Ask to see it.
If the car head unit has App Connect for Android Auto, make sure it doesn't come up with 'Authorisation Key activation needed', which the dealers seem to want £120+ to activate. Also check the alloys for any white corrosion as it spreads rapidly if not treated. At 41K miles the car might be on its second or third set of tyres. All four should match, and be reasonably upmarket recognised brands.
You can't check much under the bonnet, other than the colour/quantity of oil on the dipstick. Twist the oil filler cap off for signs of 'mayonaise'. The bonnet safety catches at the front of the car often corrode up on VW's. Check for signs of lube.
Short test drives don't really prove much, other than the car starts and you fit in the seats. :-)
VAG parts and servicing seem quite expensive, a litre of VW branded antifreeze is £5 locally, £9.95 from the main dealer. Oil: Castrol Edge LL is also priced about twice the price of Amazon/Ebay per litre. (£23 a litre, as opposed to £10.95 from Amazon.)
There was a concerted attempt to add on GAP insurance, lost key cover, and a magic paint coating which renders the paint impervious to alien attack/invasion by giant centipedes. There will be, say VW, an offer of an extended warranty before the year's Das WeltAuto warranty is up.
So an independent assessment especially for a 16 plate car, might not be necessary.
What you must get (ask) is a printout of the Das WeltAuto 'Confirmation of Warranty Cover'. It's a single sheet of A4 which confirms the three items above. Car should also have both VW keys, and the stamped up service book.
Also the V5 'number of owners' should tally with the details the dealer offers. Ask to see it.
If the car head unit has App Connect for Android Auto, make sure it doesn't come up with 'Authorisation Key activation needed', which the dealers seem to want £120+ to activate. Also check the alloys for any white corrosion as it spreads rapidly if not treated. At 41K miles the car might be on its second or third set of tyres. All four should match, and be reasonably upmarket recognised brands.
You can't check much under the bonnet, other than the colour/quantity of oil on the dipstick. Twist the oil filler cap off for signs of 'mayonaise'. The bonnet safety catches at the front of the car often corrode up on VW's. Check for signs of lube.
Short test drives don't really prove much, other than the car starts and you fit in the seats. :-)
VAG parts and servicing seem quite expensive, a litre of VW branded antifreeze is £5 locally, £9.95 from the main dealer. Oil: Castrol Edge LL is also priced about twice the price of Amazon/Ebay per litre. (£23 a litre, as opposed to £10.95 from Amazon.)
Edited by Slushbox on Saturday 9th February 19:38
You have the years warranty as part of the Dad Welt Auto programme so I wouldn’t worry about imminent disasters. As any used car (or new car for that matter!) there is an element of risk but from what you’ve said the car appears in good nick. There were a few quirks with the older gen Golf but the mk7 is proving solid across the engine range. I’d buy it seeing it’s the spec you want too.
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