Contemplating buying a 56 plate vrs 2.0T, it has a full service history with 65000 miles. What is the average lifespan of a turbo?

Also when test driving will the turbo make a distinct noise when it kicks in? Is there anything I should be listening out for?

Cheers

Most turbos will mAke slight whine noise on boost even from new , iv seen vag turbsos last 200k easy. It's a lot down to using good oil too.

It should not make any noise if it whistles it is buggered

I've read on here about turbos going at less than 30k and others still going at 200k.

They all whistle a little. Use the search as there are some "police siren" videos posted last year.

Exactly they all do whistle a little and it doesn't mean ur turbo is shot lol

It should not make any noise if it whistles it is buggered

Mines been buggered for the past 26 thousand miles then

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Yes, you will be able to hear the slight whistling noise as it boosts.

Having driven a brand new Mk5 GTI with the same engine with the windown open you can hear the turbo. If its loud then it might be shafted, but certainly not the normal whistling sound haha!

Nearly 60k on my 07 TFSI, I can't hear the turbo, ever.

I could hear the turbo whistle on my mk 1 octy vrs (125k) but on my mk 2 octy vrs (31k) i dont hear any sort of whistle/turbo noise. If the car has had regular oil changes & the car has been left to idle after a hard run & not driven hard from cold then it should last a long time,i think (not 100% sure) that the turbo on a vrs has its own water cooling.

My mk 2 had 113k on it when I changed the turbo for a k04 upgrade. TBH there wasn't much play on it at all and I suspect it would have done another 50k easily enough, plus it had a remap on for part of that mileage.

It should not make any noise if it whistles it is buggered

Turbo cars will whistle a little.

Mine does not make a noise maybe I am doing it wrong should have sat in the engine bay when driving it ,maybe i would hear it then!

i drive over a single track bridge with high sides,which is uphill everyday,with my foot down you hear the turbo making its usual boost sounds,ive just hit 151k,i think it will last past 200k easily.