I have a 2011 VRS diesel DSG with 185,000 miles in it and am thinking of buying a Mk3, VRS Diesel, DSG but maybe a 4x4. Is it likely to be as reliable as my old one, which has been incredibly good! I believe they changed to a newer model of engine? What problems should I look out for?

It'll be just as reliable (more so, IIRC) but make sure the Haldex and DSG have been serviced at the right times. Otherwise, walk away.

Thanks for the advice. That gives me confidence 😊

I agree as long as it has a good service history and haldex/dsg have been serviced regularly should be fine. Check out any MOT records for advises/corrosion etc. When buying a car or my son it was amazing how many low mileage failed MOT with bald tyres leaking shocks, corrosion etc. If you put a car in for an MOT with canvas showing on the tyres and a front strut thats covered in oil the chances are its not been looked after or driven like you stole it. If your buying privately I would avoid any that have number plate obscured as they may be trying to hide bad MOT results etc.

Alasdair

I was looking on Autotrader last week to see what prices were doing. I was surprised to see that there weren't very many cars available in the 50-60k mile range. This time last year, there were loads.

I can only assume that all the stories of people hanging on to their cars are correct.

1 hour ago, daveo138 said:

I was looking on Autotrader last week to see what prices were doing. I was surprised to see that there weren't very many cars available in the 50-60k mile range. This time last year, there were loads.

I can only assume that all the stories of people hanging on to their cars are correct.

It's even worse in Ireland, thanks to the imports from the UK effectively being stopped courtesy of tax where it costs nearly as much if not more than the cost of the vehicle, what selection is available is considerably expensive. I bought my Octavia estate at the start of the COVID microchip shortage so paid more than the car should have been I think it was €18,000 for a 2.0 midrange TDI with just under 90,000 miles, something similar is now about €22,500.

Rant over common things to look for are the silica bag if the expansion tank has mit silikat stamped on it check the bag is not there, it should be on the right hand side of the expansion tank, I think it was removed from about 2018 onwards also check the colour of the coolant if it's brownish the silica bag ruptured and clogged the heater matrix.

If you're looking at ones with climate control test all the vents the flap motor is a common failure.

If you're looking at a diesel check the crankshaft seal as they can leak as it's a plastic cover with a rubber seal behind the crank pulley.

4 hours ago, Alasdair1 said:

I agree as long as it has a good service history and haldex/dsg have been serviced regularly should be fine. Check out any MOT records for advises/corrosion etc. When buying a car or my son it was amazing how many low mileage failed MOT with bald tyres leaking shocks, corrosion etc. If you put a car in for an MOT with canvas showing on the tyres and a front strut thats covered in oil the chances are its not been looked after or driven like you stole it. If your buying privately I would avoid any that have number plate obscured as they may be trying to hide bad MOT results etc.

Alasdair

Thank you all. Didn't know about the silica (what was that for?) or the oil seal, so great to know.

1 minute ago, cheeZeygrin said:

Thank you all. Didn't know about the silica (what was that for?) or the oil seal, so great to know.

The silica was supposed to increase the life of G13 coolant but ended up causing more damage than good due to the ruptures so was replaced with G12 EVO coolant

49 minutes ago, cheeZeygrin said:

Thank you all. Didn't know about the silica (what was that for?) or the oil seal, so great to know.

It’s not important when buying, but just something to make a note of for sorting in the near future.

As with any newer car, the main point of failure, beyond consumables, are all the plastics in the engine bay (water pump being a good one).

You should be able to get an idea of how well the car has been cared for just by the condition of stuff the dealer wouldn’t touch (brake discs, engine bay cleanliness, etc)

Does anyone know when the common rail diesel which id in my 2011 VRS was phased out?