Found a car to buy - but one reservation

Jagera

I posted a week ago about looking for a car. I looked at one today, it was in great condition, drives very well, right price, really happy. However, the service history had a fair gap in it.

It's done 110,000km, and is a 2007 model.

The services were due at 30k, 60k, 90k - however the 60k one was simply missed - or was potentially not stamped in the book. It's one owner, and the same garage did the 30k and 90k service, so from that I assume it wasn't done.

The car ran well, however I am skeptical about that se3rvice gap, I have been burnt on this before (Freelander who's engine totally does on me, lost loads). The list of things in the book which should be done at that service have probably not been done.

It comes with a 6 month warranty.

Should I get someone out to inspect it, or what should I do? I like the car, I just want to buy with confidence.

Many thanks for any advice.

Abi

bw wrote: »

I posted a week ago about looking for a car. I looked at one today, it was in great condition, drives very well, right price, really happy. However, the service history had a fair gap in it.

It's done 110,000km, and is a 2007 model.

What is the make?

The services were due at 30k, 60k, 90k - however the 60k one was simply missed - or was potentially not stamped in the book. It's one owner, and the same garage did the 30k and 90k service, so from that I assume it wasn't done.

Why didn't you ask about the gap there and then?

The car ran well, however I am skeptical about that se3rvice gap, I have been burnt on this before (Freelander who's engine totally does on me, lost loads). The list of things in the book which should be done at that service have probably not been done.

Do you know what this list was? If the list was sizable / expensive, it may be a reason why the previous owner could have gone for someone cheaper / nixer job. Fair bit of mileage there, but it depends on what the car is.

It comes with a 6 month warranty

Should I get someone out to inspect it, or what should I do? I like the car, I just want to buy with confidence.

Many thanks for any advice.

I would. If you're not entirely sure what you're looking out for here with that kind of mileage / make / year.

Jagera

Abi wrote: »

What is the make?

2007 Passat, 2.0l petrol, automatic. sorry forgot to mention.

Abi wrote: »

Why didn't you ask about the gap there and then?

I surely did. He said it would not have missed the service, and they probably just forgot. But I can't really just believe that without looking into it a little.

Abi wrote: »

Do you know what this list was? If the list was sizable / expensive, it may be a reason why the previous owner could have gone for someone cheaper / nixer job.

Here is the exact list:
Haldex coupling oil changed - 4motion only
direct shift gearbox dsg oil and oil filter changed
dust and pollen insert replaced
spark plugs

Abi wrote: »

Fair bit of mileage there, but it depends on what the car is.

Yeah, it is a lot of mileage. I don't think its overly excessive though.

Abi

bw wrote:

2007 Passat, 2.0l petrol, automatic. sorry forgot to mention.

I surely did. He said it would not have missed the service, and they probably just forgot. But I can't really just believe that without looking into it a little.

Here is the exact list:
Haldex coupling oil changed - 4motion only
direct shift gearbox dsg oil and oil filter changed
dust and pollen insert replaced
spark plugs

So that was what WAS done at that stage.

Yeah, it is a lot of mileage. I don't think its overly excessive though.

Assuming it's nearly the full four years since date of reg, then maybe no. It just wasn't sitting in a garden somewhere.

I've worked for VW myself, and I know them to be reliable cars. But you can't lose by bringing someone along with you who knows what they're looking for. I'd never go anywhere without my father (he's in the trade).


Head-gasket in the Freelander? :pac:

mickdw

Ring the garage that did the 30 & 90k services. They might have the 60k service on record.

El Guapo!

mickdw wrote: »

Ring the garage that did the 30 & 90k services. They might have the 60k service on record.

+1

Jagera

Abi wrote: »

So that was what WAS done at that stage.

No. That's what is in the service book as what should be done on the 60k service. OK, the plugs/pollen filter were done in other services, were done in the 90k, but the rest not.

Abi wrote: »

Head-gasket in the Freelander? :pac:

Exactamundo.

I'll ring the garage & enquire. Is there such a service as a mobile mechanic who can come along & inspect for a price? I'll google that actually, but if there's any recommendations, I'm all ears. West Dublin area.

Spipov

mobilemechanics.ie

has all the diagnostic readings done as well as visual inspection and test driving. However does not provide a written report, just verbal. Cost 100 euros. Good to deal with except might not always be on time.

L-M

Are they a turbo engine? Tell them you'll take the car if you get a full 6 month warranty, and a further 6 month engine and gearbox warranty, as you've been caught before and the service history is somewhat of a minor concern.

They're not in a great position with what they have forsale, so bargain hard.

cadaliac

So its an auto (dsg) passat (b6 I assume) with 110k kms on the clock with 3 at best, 2 at worst, services done?

I'd personally be looking at another car.
But thats just my opinion.

This long life service interval sh1t is bound to have an effect on the car in the long term.

As for the coment that VW's are very reliable.....
Sorry but that statement is just falce, judging from my own personal experience.
B6 passats are plagued witrh different issues, mostly associated with diesels but there are steering rack issues and dsg issues that can be very expensive to put right also.
I would look for more threads on here and other sites about common passat issues.
The thing is that there are a lot of passats on the Irish roads too so keep this in mind when reading up on the cars.
Good luck.

Abi

Abi wrote: »

...............

I've worked for VW myself, and I know them to be reliable cars. But you can't lose by bringing someone along with you who knows what they're looking for. I'd never go anywhere without my father (he's in the trade)...........

... and you were doing so well.

OP, if you can't verify the car did have the service than I wouldn't touch it, 40k miles is a bit much for engine oil to be knocking about in a car, and no pre purchase inspection or 12 month warranty will change that.

L-M

RoverJames wrote: »

... and you were doing so well.

OP, if you can't verify the car did have the service than I wouldn't touch it, 40k miles is a bit much for engine oil to be knocking about in a car, and no pre purchase inspection or 12 month warranty will change that.

My Golf hasn't an ounce of history with it... And there's 240 on it................

Big Nasty

Limerick man wrote: »

My Golf hasn't an ounce of history with it... And there's 240 on it................

Yeah, but you didn't fork out six grand on it!

astonaidan

My golf has 140 on it never had a problem with it either

How reliable yere pre historic golfs are is how vag have the reliable reputation, an O7 passat is a different kettle of fish.

Jagera

RoverJames wrote: »

OP, if you can't verify the car did have the service than I wouldn't touch it

This is what i am thinking. Unless the garage can give me some kind of proof that it's been done, then I'm going to ask for a longer warranty. He tried to tell me it couldn't not have been done.

In the end, the car is in great nick. I really like it. It'd be hard to walk away from.. anyway, we'll see. I'll update here on the progression, just as FYI.

Thanks all for input it's been great.

L-M

MCMLXXV wrote: »

Yeah, but you didn't fork out six grand on it!

Kinda irrevelant, because it's still going I'd buy it, lack of service history wouldn't bother me.

Big Nasty

Limerick man wrote: »

Kinda irrevelant, because it's still going I'd buy it, lack of service history wouldn't bother me.

Not irrelevant at all - me, I would take a chance on a €1-€2k car but not on a €6-€7k car.

L-M

I can't see it as "taking a chance" if the OP got a 12 month warranty. You could buy something fully serviced privately and there's nothin stopping the engine blowing.

166man

Would a 40k gap in the service history not make it difficult to sell on once OP wants to get rid of it?

cadaliac

Limerick man wrote: »

Kinda irrevelant, because it's still going I'd buy it, lack of service history wouldn't bother me.

The car is an 07 with big miles.
Lack of history is fine for the likes of you and me who deal older cars.
However, the op is looking at a reasonably new motor and there are plenty of fresh cars with service history's at the same age for the same price available.
No history on a car with that mileage - you can keep it sorry! There is better value out there. For sure.
OP walk away unless you see a guaranteed service history.

Surely a 40k mile interval in between oil changes might not do the engine good longterm. I've bought €2000 ish cars that has a service missing according the the SH, as MCMLXXV mentioned doing it on a €6/7k car is another kettle of fish. Even with a 12 month warranty if it started burning a litre of oil every 1000 miles they wouldn't be covering anything on the warranty, within manufacturer's limits bla bla bla.

cadaliac

My point still stands.
All well and good for older cars but in the OP's situation it is a different story.

L-M

Just re-reading I thought it was a 40kms gap in servicing, didn't realise it was 60kms. At the same time, would it be possible that it wasn't stamped in the book by the garage? Any way of getting in contact with the previous owner?

Jagera

Just to add, the price of 6-7k being mentioned is not the price of the car. it's 9600. It's a 2.0 FSI highline. I've looked at others similar and its around the going price. But I'm feeling less confident based on other replies so far..

Limerick Man - I am hoping to get more plausible information from the dealer, as I kind of, maybe, sort of, hope, it might have had that service....

EDIT: I can send via PM a link to the add if anyone wants to look at it

L-M

It won't do any harm throwing the link up here

Jagera

Limerick man wrote: »

It won't do any harm throwing the link up here

I don't really want to name the garage on here.. It's a small world after all.

L-M

bw wrote: »

I don't really want to name the garage on here.. It's a small world after all.

A 07 2.0 Petrol Passat Highline with 110,000 in a main dealer... I'm sure there are very few like it about :P

Jagera

Limerick man wrote: »

A 07 2.0 Petrol Passat Highline with 110,000 in a main dealer... I'm sure there are very few like it about :P

True.. If you happen to search & find it, then feel free to PM me for confirmation.

I would just rather keep it off the radar here.

Jagera

FYI - car purchased. Got the missing invoice found (all legitimate). Had a mechanic look over it, all clear. It was a fleet car so that's why it had high mileage.