Timing belt is a weak spot and can fail at less than 40,000 miles; make sure it's been changed recently or budget for this and a new water pump
A ticking noise from the engine when it's warm indicates a previous cambelt failure
Listen for the thermostatic fans cutting in if the engine gets hot
A new radiator is a wise move as soon as you buy a GTI-6
Air con pipes corrode and are easily damaged as they sit low under the radiator
Clutch cables become stiff with age; a replacement is £35 and transforms the drive
Suspension bushes wear and spoil the handling
Poly bushes are best reserved for track cars as they lessen the passive rear steering of the GTI-6
Listen out for rattling worn drop links
Cyclone alloy wheels don't have centre caps, so need careful balancing
Body
Thin steel is easily dented in car park dings
Some cars didn't have a nearside wheelarch liner, which can lead to corrosion
Fuel filler elbow joint wears and leaks fuel; sniff for any signs of this
Check for rust around the rear seat belt mounts
Worn front seat bolsters are very common but easy to have repaired
Sunroof drain holes get blocked and allow water to leak into the roof lining
Almost every electrical component should be suspected of failure
Make sure electric windows and mirrors work with the doors open and closed