I've been looking at the vrs tsi.  Decided against diesel due to less than 10k a year. I've seen a couple of 230 pfl vehicles with 40k and 50k respectively. Both have "fsh" the 40k is manual and the 50k dsg. Aside from the oil change ok or before 40k on the dsg, is there anything else I should be keeping an eye out for. Or is there anything specific that is prone to needing attention at this mileage on a tsi.

 

And also is 40 and 50k ok on a 3.5 ye old tsi? Or is it too much and should I look elsewhere. Both look tidy and cared for.

I wouldn't worry about it, it's pretty average mileage to be honest. My GTI is 4 years old and is going to tick over to 70k this week but I commute 70 miles a day up and down the A1. Buy based on condition and history not the number of miles on the dashboard.

 

Are the two cars you're interested in privately owned or have they been lease/PCP. Personally I would be more reluctant buying an ex-lease car as the previous owner never had the intention of long term ownership.

 

Things to look for would be coolant leaks, very common problem, had mine done at 35k and make sure the DSG service has been done at 40k, other than that you'll be fine.

Both private sales. Of course slightly cheaper but no warranty from garage... can keep a few$$ in bank for an issues. 

 

That's good to hear. Cheers for that 

 

The higher mileage one at 50k with dsg is a 1 owner from.new. the 40k manual is a bit more ££ but I think its overpriced tbh and is 2 owners but is an estate with sunroof. The other a hatch.

Edited 27 February, 20206 yr by Cranmasterflash

I'd go for the DSG, 1 owner from new 👍

I have always  been after estates tbh. I have 2 kids. 3yrs and 6 months. I have a courtesy car at the moment and it has a pano roof and the boy loves it so always been on the look for that . So when  a 230 estate with pano came up I literally yelped lol. 

 

I think I'll have to go see both unless fate decides for me. They both an hour plus away but I have 2 local skoda dealers so will go and drive a dsg too soon to see what they like. I drive a bmw auto for work and its lovely. Better than  the junk in the kia Optima I have for the interim currently. I'm still getting up to speed on all the different types of auto boxes!!

My advise is if you're buying private on a car which is still costing many £££'s then whatever car you chose, it's worth paying for a vehicle inspection before parting with any money.

I agree. I have thought this tbh. Peace of mind for a relatively inexpensive expert appraisal. I think it's like £200 for an aa comprehensive vehicle inspection. Seems silly not to on a 14k car tbh.

2 hours ago, Scot5 said:

My advise is if you're buying private on a car which is still costing many £££'s then whatever car you chose, it's worth paying for a vehicle inspection before parting with any money.

 

Or arrange your own warranty which I believe you can do.

 

Whilst I own an Auto, my pref would be the manual

I've seen warranties for around 600 quid a year.... that's from skoda....bit steep for a year. Dunno whether to just bank the 600 quid in case as opposed to a warranty 

@Cranmasterflash

?

What age of Skoda would the warranty be around £600 on? https://www.insurewithskoda.co.uk/extended-warranty

 

8 minutes ago, Roottootemblowinootsoot said:

@Cranmasterflash

?

What age of Skoda would the warranty be around £600 on? https://www.insurewithskoda.co.uk/extended-warranty

 

66 plate vrs tsi 230 with 40k. All.component cover with zero excess is £781!

100 excess is 627 and 250 excess is 462

Edited 28 February, 20206 yr by Cranmasterflash

@Cranmasterflash  Cheers.  Says it all then.   Best get shot of them not worth making them a keeper.

Warranties are just Insurance Policies so that gives an idea of the risk VW Group / Underwriters put on them. 

1 minute ago, Roottootemblowinootsoot said:

@Cranmasterflash  Cheers.  Says it all then.   Best get shot of them not worth making them a keeper.

Warranties are just Insurance Policies so that gives an idea of the risk VW Group / Underwriters put on them. 

Best get shot of what? I was looking into a warranty for a possible purchase of a 66 plate 230 with 40 or 50k on them.

 

I think at that price I'll.keep the money as a just in case. My next purchase will be a keeper for a number of years as a family wagon so need to buy as wisely as possible 

@Cranmasterflash

 

On the point of the Full Service History.  What do they show, do they show Serviced to Manufacturers Guidelines on both cars?

Was the DSG serviced at 40,000 miles. Have the spark plugs been changed, the air filter and the pollen filter twice and the brake fluid at 3 years.

Same with the 40.000 manual other than gearbox.

Were they on Fixed or variable servicing?

Those are all parts of the queries I will look into before I decide to go view. A major service to include all those and spark plugs etc is 340 I've been quoted so thats gonna be factored in to the 40k manual. That only shows from what I can see essentially 2 oil services in  4 years.no idea about the dsg and the gearbox oil, but if not I'll walk away from that tbh 

5 hours ago, Cranmasterflash said:

Those are all parts of the queries I will look into before I decide to go view. A major service to include all those and spark plugs etc is 340 I've been quoted so thats gonna be factored in to the 40k manual. That only shows from what I can see essentially 2 oil services in  4 years.no idea about the dsg and the gearbox oil, but if not I'll walk away from that tbh 

 

I fully agree, you'd be crazy not to give the car a service with a private sale for piece of mind if nothing else. Even if bought from a dealer, at that sort of mileage I'd want the car with a fresh service.

 

At 3.5yr old the cars will not long had their MOT. If you haven't done so already, I'd use https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history and check if there were any advisories or if either car failed at first attempt.

 

 

 

 

TBH the hatch is no smaller in floor area than the estate but, if you've gotta have the panoramic roof, test drive a DSG before you buy, its civilised but, can be a bit of an animal in manual mode.

Private Vs garage sales are just a gamble 

 

You can save the money and potentially be quids in, you can also be out of pocket.

Buying from a garage costs you more but is ultimately an insurance for a limited period of time.

 

Personally I've had less issues with my cars before the skoda, and they were all private sales.

The skoda was from a garage and the bigger issue happened just after 6 months so still cost me.

 

I'm not convinced warranties are that great as they often only cover limited things and those things are low risk, hence they can afford to cover them.  Overall, garages and warranty companies make money from it, so as an average they spend less on claims than they charge you extra.  

 

The advantage of private sales is you actually meet the previous owner and can judge their character and real reason for sale.

Thats a really good point about meeting the owner. 

When you do go to a nice neighbourhood and a nice house to meet a nice person with a only one registered keeper car, just be sure they are that Registered Keeper 

and maybe the driver, and not a Trader / person that picked up a car at auction etc.

See that their address you are visiting is the one on the V5, or is the car registered at their business, Mums house or where ever.

 

The reason being it is very common that every private sale is not always all that they appear to be.

I used to sell automatic cars, low miles,  that were registered to a disabled man, or a little old lady, never raced or rallied, and actually never driven by her so how would they be raced or rallied by her.