Looking at a Mark 6 Golf GTI and need some advice

[MissChief]

I've been looking for a mk.5 GTI or an Ed. 30/Pirelli for a couple of weeks now and being in Scotland means most are inevitably down south.

However, this Mk. 6 GTI, http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016... has come up for sale not too far away. Having been looking at Mk. 5's all the time I'm not sure what, if anything I should be looking for. There's plenty of service history but nothing indicating the timing belt has been done so I'd be looking for £500 off or it to be done prior to me taking it.

So, is there anything unique or particular to the 6 I need to be careful of? I pulled the dipstick while the engine was running and it started to falter so DV valve ( I think!)should be OK? If that's the right thing? Is there anything else I should be looking at or worried about? It's very clean inside, hardly any wear at all really and certainly wears it's 78k miles very well indeed. Thanks in advance.

[MissChief]

Thanks for the reply Matt. The whole tensioner issue worries me because the service history is basically the book, stamped with the oil services but nothing else in there at all. NO timing belt, no tensioner, just the book. It could have had a new engine for all I know!

[MissChief]

With the timing belt and tensioner having no proof I'd be looking at a £1k discount. Not sure I'd get that, but shy bairns get nowt I guess.

[MissChief]

tomjol said:

You definitely won't get money off for the timing belt seeing as (as pointed out above) these engines don't have one.

Ok, ok, the tensioner then. £500 off to get that done?

[MissChief]

As it turns out I bought something else. The tensioner issue put me off.

[MissChief]

mattknight1984 said:

What did you buy?

The tensioner issue isn't exactly a deal breaker - just find a car that has proof its been changed or budget to get it done (and knock £400 off your offer to the seller).

I love mine, best car I've owned by a mile.

I have a thread running in Readers cars. A '62 plate Focus Zetec S 182 in a private sale. Newer, less miles and cheaper too.