Hi guys, 

 

Going to hopefully buy a VRS Estate very soon. Is there a "checklist" of essential things I could be on the lookout for? Ie waterpump changed? Cruise control working? Etc etc? 

 

Thanks! 

Diesel or petrol? Year, mileage?

 

Servicing and MOT history?

 

Gaz

 

First maybe tell what engine, gearbox and age of a vRS Estate. 

Is it a TDI? Is it a manual or DSG.

 

Test everything on a road test of over 20 miles. 

AC etc, Cruise Control, acceleration etc.  Handling, brakes. 

 

Service History, not just Minor & Major Servicing.

Fixed or Variable, Pollen filter, Air Filter, brake fluid changes, anything more than just Oil & Inspection Services?

What tyres are on, are the brakes looking good, is the windscreen looking good, is the spare wheel in the spare tyre well, the kit, the locking wheel nut socket.

Thanks guys. 

 

Sorry should have said, looking at a few really around 14/15 plate mileage varies from 60-90k on them. Manual diesels. 

 

Drove one yesterday and realised when back barely checked anything, hard to concentrate when a salesman sat yapping your ear! 

 

Although error messages came up so that's already got me worried!! 

I I have 1 but its dsg. Just coming up to 114k, Only thing its needed so far is rear disks & a turbo both at 100k . Its going to need Front disks and an off side front wheel bearing soon as the bearing has just started to growl.  Nothing else apart from its started to leak into the car & its NOT the sunroof. May be the door seals as they have a known fault or the scuttle. When it stop's raining I will have a look                              Best every day car ive had apart from 40mpg but I do boot it.

If an error comes up find out what it is, a reader is only £25 and could be the best £25 you have spent. If they want to sell it they will let you plug it in, only takes 10 mins to read any codes stored.

The place selling it has a reader they can plug in.  Even if they are not mechanics, especially if they are not mechanics. 

Common, So that they can clear 'Fault Codes' before road tests.  & after them...

They never got to be where they are without having at least the skills of a Kerb Side Auto's sales person. 

Edited 21 March, 20233 yr by toot

Coolant leaks seem to be an issue (certainly on mine). Have a look for staining around the expansion tank that indicates something not right. Also check from a cold start if there’s alot of steam out the back. It’ll go away with a warm engine though so make sure dealer hasn’t warmed it up before you. The expansion tank lid should also click into place. If it doesn’t then likely it’s been on and off quite a bit. 

21 minutes ago, T07 said:

Coolant leaks seem to be an issue (certainly on mine)...

 

Aye, also worth a read:

 

 

So you want to be sure the expected changes have happened, and been recorded.  Long test drive as @toot has suggested, to watch it warming up, remaining at temperature and not overheating under load.  Check you've both hot, and cold, air through all the vents when called for.  Check the header tank for "Mit Silikat' and see if it's got the ticking time bomb of a silica bag in it.  Car sellers will tell you the problems caused by the silica bag splitting are rare and over exaggerated on car forums - don't be fooled; have search on here re silica bag and header tank replacements.

 

Check for water ingress, particularly if what you look at has a sunroof.  Make sure everything electrical works, including the infotainment, and satnav map updates/that it has an SD card (if it should have).

 

Gaz

Perfect thanks all. This is exactly what I was after and some really good heads up and things to look for. 

 

Just to take my time and check it all! 

 

Thanks again.