Importing a VW CC. What to check?

rob316

I know there is a lot of threads about importing from the UK but I wanted to ask specifically about this car.

I was going for Petrol but my circumstances will be changing next month and ill be driving a good bit more (few decent monthly motorway trips) so diesel suits my needs better. With that my choices are pretty big and I've narrowed it down to a VW CC GT 140bhp.

So looking on auto trader the prices are very attractive, I'd be looking at a 2012 for my budget of £8-9k plus VRT.

My questions are:
1. What is considered high mileage on these for that age? All seem to be around 80k to 110k. 4 year old diesel car doing 20-25k sounds about right to me. I see some with 130/140k aswell are they best avoided?

2. For those who have bought these, what do I need to look out for and ask the dealer what work has been done?

3. I don't want to buy privately so when people say dealer do they mean a main dealer or just from some small independent?

Much appreciated thanks

rob316

Anyone?

rob316

rob316 wrote: »

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

My questions are:
1. What is considered high mileage on these for that age? All seem to be around 80k to 110k. 4 year old diesel car doing 20-25k sounds about right to me. I see some with 130/140k aswell are they best avoided?

2. For those who have bought these, what do I need to look out for and ask the dealer what work has been done?

3. I don't want to buy privately so when people say dealer do they mean a main dealer or just from some small independent?

Much appreciated thanks

free bump as there are some very knowledgable VAG folk about here ......... generally speaking below might help

1) 80k to 110k or 130/140k are you speaking in miles or kms? I'd be slow to buy a 140k mile 5 year old car but if it was cheap enough I would.

2) timing belt, I'd like to see fresh if not badly lipped discs, ideally a manual on it's 2nd DMF or else you might be close to needing one. DSG versions should be after DSG oil changes per service schedule. A 5 year old CC with 100k miles is still a fresh car and should be in great condition.

3) In the UK as with here more independents will have 5 year old cars than main dealers, many main dealers won't retail a 5 year old car off their forecourt.

XsApollo

I'd say most cars around 4 years old in the U.K. Would have full main dealer history.

I don't think 130k is high mileage for them as long as it's services correctly.
Obviously the lower the mileage the better if the car has been looked after properly.

That engine would be due timing belt and water pump around now.
5 years is the time frame for changing them, so look for that or try factor it into the price is if you can.

The usual flywheel and clutch at that mileage.

Other than that, that engine is pretty solid.

If it's an auto box make sure it's had its oil changed when needed.

rob316

Augeo wrote: »

free bump as there are some very knowledgable VAG folk about here ......... generally speaking below might help

1) 80k to 110k or 130/140k are you speaking in miles or kms? I'd be slow to buy a 140k mile 5 year old car but if it was cheap enough I would.

2) timing belt, I'd like to see fresh if not badly lipped discs, ideally a manual on it's 2nd DMF or else you might be close to needing one. DSG versions should be after DSG oil changes per service schedule. A 5 year old CC with 100k miles is still a fresh car and should be in great condition.

3) In the UK as with here more independents will have 5 year old cars than main dealers, many main dealers won't retail a 5 year old car off their forecourt.

Hello there from the Liverpool thread and fellow corkman (I think)

1 - Miles, if we are looking at UK imports. I suppose a FSH is important, better to buy high miles with everything recorded than low with not a receipt for an oil change.

2- Ya most of the 2012 are listed as having the cambelt and pump done. I'd be going for a manual, DMF replacement is my worry but from what I read, 120k it needs to be replaced but some people are stilling driving on the original after 150k. A car that has done 100k on the motorway is more likely to have a decent condition DMF than one that pottered around town I presume?
I did see GT for £7k with 135k miles 2012, I suppose if this had a DMF replacement it would be a good buy if everything else checks out.

3- Ya has to be an independent or car supermarket, from what I've seen very few main dealers with anything below 2013

rob316

rob316 wrote: »

......... A car that has done 100k on the motorway is more likely to have a decent condition DMF than one that pottered around town I presume?..............

yup, all things being equal.
DMF isn't the end of the world once you are expecting it and have it budgeted for of course.

rob316

Augeo wrote: »

yup, all things being equal.
DMF isn't the end of the world once you are expecting it and have it budgeted for of course.

I gather the DMF and clutch kit isn't mad money on the Passat?

€900 ish from an ind garage up to €1400 ish from a VAG dealer.
DMFs aren't cheap.

rob316

I've started the ball rolling on this one, a couple I have enquired about in the last few days are already gone but this one looks good.

http://www.gmc-2000.co.uk/used-car/volkswagen/cc/gt-bluemotion-technology-140-tdi/for-sale-in-leeds-west-yorkshire/aetv93604970/

Mileage a little high for 2013 of 107k but that's still only 25k per year I would have thought 20k was fairly the norm for a diesel.

I'm not mad on the color wanted something darker, but the dealer has been very forthcoming and quick to reply, producing pictures of service history. I'm just waiting for him to come back to me about if any major parts were replaced like DMF or Cambelt considering the mileage.

Dealer has very good reviews on google and importantly replies to them too good or bad.

Happy to let it go for £8,100 he said as I stressed you wont be seen me again, maybe too good price for the year?

In Leeds too so short drive to Liverpool for the ferry and flight from Dublin is cheap.

Dinging

Rob316, I just bought a 2013 CC in November 2016. It's a DSG with 177bhp and I feckin love it. It's very clean, everything works as it should and driven easy its very economical on the diesel. Has all of the extra's I wanted in a car and its great fun to drive. I bought if from a garage in Tyrone so no hassle with flights and ferries but the choice is limited with a smaller Northern market and I also had a trade in which you don't have so you have so UK makes more sense.

Going on advice from some of the lads here I was going to get a independent check done on this and also have service history verified. The car was a reps car so it has high milage, 140k miles. The VW dealer who sold it also serviced the car. Donnelly Group supposedly very reputable confirmed the service history, car was done on time, DSG was serviced as required and had new timing and pump done. They also offered to inspect the car before I bought it so I agreed. I got a full written report, car wanted for nothing. Mine cost me 8700, trade in I was given 700 so it was 8k cash. VT was pricey at almost 4,700 but I am appealing this and hope to get at least 1K back, fingers crossed.

So back to your original question and based on my experience

1) Needs a FSH and get it verified. Looks for receipts or third party to verify
2) Timing and pump on a 2012 it should be done by now
3) If you go for a DSG, its every 40k for gearbox service.
4) Tyres, they can be heavy enough on the rubber, also can suffer from cupping so have a look at that.

Best of luck with the search.

rob316

Dinging wrote: »

Rob316, I just bought a 2013 CC in November 2016. It's a DSG with 177bhp and I feckin love it. It's very clean, everything works as it should and driven easy its very economical on the diesel. Has all of the extra's I wanted in a car and its great fun to drive. I bought if from a garage in Tyrone so no hassle with flights and ferries but the choice is limited with a smaller Northern market and I also had a trade in which you don't have so you have so UK makes more sense.

Going on advice from some of the lads here I was going to get a independent check done on this and also have service history verified. The car was a reps car so it has high milage, 140k miles. The VW dealer who sold it also serviced the car. Donnelly Group supposedly very reputable confirmed the service history, car was done on time, DSG was serviced as required and had new timing and pump done. They also offered to inspect the car before I bought it so I agreed. I got a full written report, car wanted for nothing. Mine cost me 8700, trade in I was given 700 so it was 8k cash. VT was pricey at almost 4,700 but I am appealing this and hope to get at least 1K back, fingers crossed.

So back to your original question and based on my experience

1) Needs a FSH and get it verified. Looks for receipts or third party to verify
2) Timing and pump on a 2012 it should be done by now
3) If you go for a DSG, its every 40k for gearbox service.
4) Tyres, they can be heavy enough on the rubber, also can suffer from cupping so have a look at that.

Best of luck with the search.

Thanks for that very helpful and glad you like your car.

Had a look in the north very little to pick from.

How do you go about getting the FSH verified?

Have you had any issues with the DPF, this has me a little worried coming from a petrol but ill be doing a few decent motorway trips every month. I'd nearly go for a petrol again still but the place is gone diesel mad, feck all decent in petrol.

Dinging

On getting the FSH verified. The garage that was selling the car had the service history. I took a picture of each page and called the garage who did the work to see what records they had. Donnellys were very helpful and were able to verify each date, the work that was carried out, cost and any recommendations they had. They also gave me a separate print out of the service history when they inspected the car. As the car is now out of warranty there is no come back but I got great service from both Donnellys and Quinn Motors

No issues at all with the DPF but its early days, but finger crossed. Some good advice already given on this thread. Watch out for lower milage with no service history models. I will be doing about 20K a year but its 90% motorway so hopefully I will get away with it. Don't think they come in a petrol version :eek:

Nice one here http://www.cliffordcarsales.co.uk/stock.html?car=173473095 and just within your budget.

Best of luck with the search. Don't rush into anything, any pressure from a seller walk away. There's loads of these cars out there and now that I have one I am seeing them all the time.

rob316

Just wondering if a car passed the MOT last month, will it have much of an issue on the NCT? Is it much the same or is the NCT stricter.

Should be fine for the NCT if it was properly MOTd but I'd be slow to buy a car without having it checked out unless you are very confident yourself of spotting a lemon.

rob316

Augeo wrote: »

Should be fine for the NCT if it was properly MOTd but I'd be slow to buy a car without having it checked out unless you are very confident yourself of spotting a lemon.

No chance, I'll be getting a proper inspection done. Just put down a deposit on this http://www.gmc-2000.co.uk/used-car/volkswagen/cc/gt-bluemotion-technology-140-tdi/for-sale-in-leeds-west-yorkshire/aetv93604970/

Who do ye recommend for an inspection I'm looking at DEKRA, seems fairly comprehensive.

Can't fault the dealer so far, very happy with the service, answered all my questions and happily emailed me over pictures of service stamps which I have verified with the VW garage.

Serviced every 10k like clockwork the car was.

Sounds all good
Wouldn't have a recommendation for inspections TBH..... dekra be grand no doubt.

Harcrid

I've used Dekra in the past and had no issues.

TitianGerm

Sorry to go a little off topic but I saw someone mention that they traded there car in against one up North, I think it was Dinging.

Was your car on Irish plates? I didn't think dealers would be interested in taken mine as a trade if I did travel up.

Dinging

emmetkenny wrote: »

Sorry to go a little off topic but I saw someone mention that they traded there car in against one up North, I think it was Dinging.

Was your car on Irish plates? I didn't think dealers would be interested in taken mine as a trade if I did travel up.

Yes was me. Car was on Irish plates, and still is http://quinnmotors.dealer.usedcarsni.com/stock.html?car=174626432 dealer had no problem taking it. He gave me 700 for it, if he sells it what he is looking for it he double his money.

TitianGerm

Dinging wrote: »

Yes was me. Car was on Irish plates, and still is http://quinnmotors.dealer.usedcarsni.com/stock.html?car=174626432 dealer had no problem taking it. He gave me 700 for it, if he sells it what he is looking for it he double his money.

Thanks for that. Sale fell through on an S60 for me just before Christmas and i was thinking of heading up North now instead so if they took mine on trade it'd save me the hassle of selling privately.

bazz26

If the dealer in the North has dealer contacts in the south then most likely they will take a southern reg car as a trade in at it's NI trade price and then sell it onto the dealer in the south assuming that dealer wants it.

rob316

I'm still not convinced if this car is a good buy. 107k in 4 years. I'm been told by some people I talked to I shouldn't touch it and others say as long as it's well looked after that's worth more than low mileage.

my buying price is good, I don't think I'll be hurt even if I sold it after a year or 2.

I just don't want to buy a money pit.

Harcrid

Thats the downside of going to the UK as you don't get the piece of mind of a warranty for older cars. No one here can tell you if it's a good car or not. You'll just have to trust the vehicle check and do your own checks into its history also.

But if you have any doubts pull out as you'll drive yourself mental thinking about it.

Harcrid

Just to add to that I had a 2009 CC for three years that I sold recently and it was very reliable for me. Didn't give me to much bother other than a few small bits failing.

rob316

it's just the mileage has me thinking twice, it's seems to be no issue in the uk but anything over 100k seems to be ingrained in us to walk away or if you own it, it's only fit for the scrapyard.

bazz26

That's an Irish mindset and these days it's translated into 100,000 km too just because it's still 6 digits. I think it comes from the fact that the Irish generally don't look after and maintain their cars properly or just downright abuse them so 100k miles on an Irish car can have a lot more wear than a 100k miles on a UK car.

rob316

I think I'm going to walk away to be honest. I just feel there will be too many expensive repairs coming up soon that is going to suck my savings out of this. Resale value if I put 20 or 30k up it in 2 years isn't going to be there either. €13.5k I'm looking at all in and I just don't know if that is a good investment on a car with over 100k miles even ignoring the age.

For £2k more I could drop a year and get something with 60k miles. Although that car more than likely has had a harder life than the 105k miler.

Just don't know what to do and I'm getting conflicting advice everywhere.

exaisle

I'd drop a year for something with 60k miles any day rather than something with 107k. You have no reason to believe that the car has had a harder life but you'll learn a lot from a test drive....and take your time...a quick spin around the block isn't a test drive!

I'd also buy privately if there's a full main dealer service history and you can have a chat with the servicing garage to verify everything.

I've bought my last few cars in the UK and always go for low mileage WITH full dealer service history only. Touch wood...haven't had a problem yet.

As always, if something looks too good to be true, then it probably is!

rob316

Just to update, I pulled out of the purchase but the dealer was very fair regarding my deposit.
I explained I'm going to have trouble travelling over for the next 4 or 5 weeks and the I felt the mileage was a little high. He said they would hold my £200 deposit for now, if I change my mind or can come over in a few weeks time and the car is still there, its yours. I also can transfer it to another car.

Otherwise he said if you want your deposit back, you need to come over, look at the car say you don't like and I'll give your deposit back. £200 I put down, I'll live with it, lesson learned, over buying a car I wasn't comfortable buying for £8000.

Said that was the 3rd CC he had in the last weeks so will message me as soon as the next comes in.

GavMan

rob316 wrote: »

Otherwise he said if you want your deposit back, you need to come over, look at the car say you don't like and I'll give your deposit back. £200 I put down, I'll live with it, lesson learned, over buying a car I wasn't comfortable buying for £8000.

Seems a bit suss to me...

rob316

GavMan wrote: »

Seems a bit suss to me...

I pulled out of the deal, they had the car off sale for 5 days, they could tell me get lost but they were fair.

Harcrid

Find anything else yet to interest you?

TitianGerm

Actually just on this is there much of a difference between a 1.6 and a 2.0 in the Passat?

What would you need to look out for on both engines?

rob316

Harcrid wrote: »

Find anything else yet to interest you?

I'm still fixed on the CC, not really interested in BMW or Audi. CC is a bit of a rarer cars in my eyes (although I'm seen a lot more now) than an A4 or 3 series, probably why its so attractive to me. I'm still on the hunt, hoping the dealer I put the deposit with might pop up with something else, increased the budget a bit too to get something with lower mileage.

rob316

Spotted another one, 2012, GT Spec, £9300k only 64k miles though. However I was looking through the service history, the first one I was going to buy was serviced

-every 10k and worked out about every 4 months.
- this one I'm looking at serviced every 20k, works out nearly every 18 months.

Should I be concerned or is every 20k the norm for this mileage?

Very happy with the price only about 1000 more and half the mileage.

bazz26

Ring the garages that serviced it to verify what they did matches what is in the book.

Moanin

rob316 wrote: »

Spotted another one, 2012, GT Spec, £9300k only 64k miles though. However I was looking through the service history, the first one I was going to buy was serviced

-every 10k and worked out about every 4 months.
- this one I'm looking at serviced every 20k, works out nearly every 18 months.

Should I be concerned or is every 20k the norm for this mileage?

Very happy with the price only about 1000 more and half the mileage.

I wouldn't be worried once it was serviced using 'long life' type oil as recommended by VW re long life servicing and the servicing is verified.

They are a class car. Best of luck with your search. I'd try to stick to the GT model.

Benzino

Sorry for digging up an old thread, but I'm in a similar position to importing a cc.

It's a 2013 with 60k miles on it, with a service done at 19k and then another done at 37k miles (all by VW dealership with LifeLong oil). Nothing in almost 2 years besides 2 MOTs and an inspection and oil service by Halfords (this was done by the dealer I believe).

Based on reading on here and online, it seems the 60k service is the most costly in terms of potential repairs, would that be correct?

rob316

Benzino wrote: »

Sorry for digging up an old thread, but I'm in a similar position to importing a cc.

It's a 2013 with 60k miles on it, with a service done at 19k and then another done at 37k miles (all by VW dealership with LifeLong oil). Nothing in almost 2 years besides 2 MOTs and an inspection and oil service by Halfwords (this was done by the dealer I believe).

Based on reading on here and online, it seems the 60k service is the most costly in terms of potential repairs, would that be correct?

I don't think so, should be just a regular service. Maybe your thinking of the DSG gearboxes they need a oil change at 40k miles which is expensive.

Your looking at timing belt at 120k km and possibly a DMF replacement later.

Benzino

rob316 wrote: »

I don't think so, should be just a regular service. Maybe your thinking of the DSG gearboxes they need a oil change at 40k miles which is expensive.

Your looking at timing belt at 120k km and possibly a DMF replacement later.

I must have gotten mixed up so, thought the timing belt was 100k km. It's a manual so DSG oil change needed. Thanks!

rob316

Benzino wrote: »

I must have gotten mixed up so, thought the timing belt was 100k km. It's a manual so DSG oil change needed. Thanks!

Think its 120km or 5 years which ever comes first.

Benzino

rob316 wrote: »

Think its 120km or 5 years which ever comes first.

Cheers, don't think I am going to go through with the sale, a few issues highlighted by DEKRA which could prove costly to fix.

Still keeping an eye out for a CC though

Toyotafanboi

rob316 wrote: »

Think its 120km or 5 years which ever comes first.

The timing belt are 210k not 120.

A 60k miles service isn't too bad. It's due a fuel filter @ 60k miles, other than that all it's due is an oil change if the manufacturers schedule has been kept.

rob316

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

The timing belt are 210k not 120.

A 60k miles service isn't too bad. It's due a fuel filter @ 60k miles, other than that all it's due is an oil change if the manufacturers schedule has been kept.

210k for a timing belt? No chance they last that long.

From the VW site

Replace Timing Belt With Water Pump.
Cost:
€449.00
The cambelt is one of the hardest working parts in your engine, driving major parts of the engine and keeping everything synchronised. Changing it prevents snaps, cracks and tears which in turn minimises the risk of major engine damage. Includes Free 12 Months Roadside Assistance and 24 month warranty. Replacement interval: 120,000km or 5 yrs (depending on engine type)

Toyotafanboi

rob316 wrote: »

Replacement interval: 120,000km or 5 yrs (depending on engine type)

You forgot to bold the part after. Belt interval on the modern VAG 1.6 and 2.0 diesels is 210k.