Forum menu
I've got an '07 Golf GT TDI coming over on Thursday for me to try. Having not bought a used car for a quite a long time (last two were new) what should I be looking for in particular on the golf.
It's done 75,000 miles and has recently had a new turbo. Buying from a mate's company and the previous driver was a lady (if it makes any difference).
at 75000 miles possibly CV joints/gaiters
Clutch ware shouldn't be an issue but check it
ours (55) had some leaky hoses on the radiator which were repaired under warranty
if it's done 75k in 2 years it'll no doubt be mostly motorway driving so suspension should be fine
they are prone to stone chips on the bonnet, roof and windscreen
hhhmmm ... new turbo eh ? Question that as my gt tdi pd 130 has 153K
on it and still the original blower.
As to other bits .... water pump, cam belt, rear axle bushes, front
anti roll bar bushes, rear calipers - these are the only things I've had
any issues with on mine .....
The wheel bearings on mine are going - it is an 02, but check for excessive 'road noise'.
ah yes ... forgot off side rear wheel bearings (twice now)
Personally, if it's the 140bhp engine, I'd check to see if you can cope with the horrific turbo lag, and the huge gob of power that rapidly tails off when it does arrive. Of the ones I've driven, the less powerful TDi engines are far nicer to drive.
Hope its cheap and fully serviced, but if anything like my last company car (70k in 2 years), it won't have had its last services, and probably at the limit on consumables (tyres, brakes, discs etc).
Also check with VW on service intervals, and what ought to have been done.
And why did it need a new turbo - that is a rather expensive item for a 2 year old 75k car!
not been my experience at all, the 2.0 engines have a far wider high torque band than the older PD engines and the torque tapers off far less quickly
if you know how to drive a diesel engine then it's a cracking little motor that'll still do 60mpg+
if you know how to drive a diesel engine then it's a cracking little motor that'll still do 60mpg+
I know how to drive any engine. Probably more than you do. But of all the ones I've had under my right foot, the 140bhp TDi is one of the most poorly devaloped I've yet driven. Our 1.6 petrol Focus pulls FAR cleaner and easier from lower revs. I've spent a long time driving the 140 TDi and I really, really don't like it at all. Sorry.
had a Mark III and a Mark IV Golf and had problems with the door locks on both. Think it's quite common (might be worth a Google).
had a Mark III and a Mark IV Golf and had problems with the door locks on both.
Ahh yes, the mother in law had that fail on her (02-04 model IIRC?) Golf. Locked her out more than once I think. Not cheap to fix either.....
Hope its cheap and fully serviced, but if anything like my last company car (70k in 2 years), it won't have had its last services, and probably at the limit on consumables (tyres, brakes, discs etc).
My mate is one of the company directors and he said he's having it if I don't! Fully serviced by main dealer. I believe the turbo's are a possible weak link. He's supplying all the servicing bills so I should be able to see what's been done.
Cheap? Yes, a dealer has offered him more money for it but it's mine if I want it 🙂