Hi, hoping for some help as many of you guys seem to know VW as well!

My daughter is looking for a new car. We have been offered a 52 plate VW Polo, but I am not sure of it. I would expect a car of this age to have a good, smooth paint finish, but this one has a definite orange peel effect. Does this sound right, or has it been re-sprayed, do you think.

Thanks in advance!

I would get the car hpi checked to check and make sure the car has not been involved in a accident, apart from that has the car got a full vw service history?

HPI won't always show up if it's been in an accident or not.

I would try and see another Polo and see what the paintwork is like. All the VWs I've had have had a slight orange peel type of finish but not enough that I would worry about it. Check the panel gaps and whether the manufacturer's stickers are still in place.

If in any doubt walk away it's a buyer's market and there are loads of cars for sale.

Is the paint he same on all panels? It would be rare for the entire car to be resprayed. If the slight orange peel is all over, it's OK, provided it is slight.

Like others have said, check the original stickers are present- especially the data sticket in the boot (should be identical to one in the service book). Are the number plates original- they should have the supplier's postcode on them- which should be the supplying dealer or a lease company, NOT a bodyshop!. Check in corners of trim/door seals/light clusters and around suspension/underbody for overspray where it often gets missed. Feel the paint all over- does some feel rougher or smoother?