Buying an A3 privately. What to check.

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paul_r

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Having never bought a car privately i thought i'd ask for some assistance. What to check for. Its an AUDI A3 2005 SPORT 2.0 TDI 140 3 DOOR. Mileage 50k. Next service 4,900 miles. Asking price 9k.

1. What service history should it have.
2. I understand the cam belt is an 80k change, is that correct.
3. HPI only checks write off, stolen or outstanding loans. Is there a way to check if its been accident damaged. Is there a way of checking insurance claims on it.
4. Would Audi do a check for me. Anyone ever done this.

I'm a cautious buyer who likes to check everything out first.

Added.
I have the reg, what can i check with that?

Okay, the service history is

Audi dealer @ 17215 miles - 12/04/06
Audi dealer @ 32363 miles - 09/03/07
Audi Specialists @ 47852 - 28/07/09
 
Last edited:
paul_r said:
Having never bought a car privately i thought i'd ask for some assistance. What to check for. Its an AUDI A3 2005 SPORT 2.0 TDI 140 3 DOOR. Mileage 50k. Next service 4,900 miles. Asking price 9k.

Audi Specialists @ 47852 - 28/07/09[/SIZE][/FONT]
Click to expand...

Sounds like the specialist who serviced the car didn't reset the indicator? if it was serviced at 47852 and it's done 50k it shouldn't need doing again in 4900 miles as this means it needs servicing every 7k?
Looking at the mileages for the 1st 2 services it looks to be on a longlife plan?

At £9k for a 50k mileage car it seems overpriced for a private sale (no warranty), dealer prices will be similar (with warranty)
 
also cambelt is 75,000/80,000 or 5 years whichever comes first
 
you'd be lucky to get it done for £200. The cambelt kit is £100 on its own!

My local dealer (stafford) is doing it for £350 at the moment.
A local specialist (Midloand VW) want £340
My local MOT back street place said £300

Also its advisory to get the water pump done at the same time which will add 60-70 to the above prices
 
1. What service history should it have.
2. I understand the cam belt is an 80k change, is that correct.
3. HPI only checks write off, stolen or outstanding loans. Is there a way to check if its been accident damaged. Is there a way of checking insurance claims on it.
4. Would Audi do a check for me. Anyone ever done this.

Before buyin mine, I contacted all the dealers mine had been into to verify everything and see if anything out of the ordinary had been done. If its had previous owners, you could always contact them, just a thought. Good luck
 
Sarah's A3 said:
1. What service history should it have.
2. I understand the cam belt is an 80k change, is that correct.
3. HPI only checks write off, stolen or outstanding loans. Is there a way to check if its been accident damaged. Is there a way of checking insurance claims on it.
4. Would Audi do a check for me. Anyone ever done this.

Before buyin mine, I contacted all the dealers mine had been into to verify everything and see if anything out of the ordinary had been done. If its had previous owners, you could always contact them, just a thought. Good luck
Click to expand...

Good idea. To contact the previous owner you would need to get that off the log book, unless there's another way.
 
paul_r said:
Good idea. To contact the previous owner you would need to get that off the log book, unless there's another way.
Click to expand...

Yeah this could be golden! My dad sold a Vectra a few years back that was riddled with electrical gremlins and other issues. He wasnt bothered as it was P/X in. 3 weeks later a woman phoned and said she was seriously looking at buying the car as it was a very good price and asked why my dad sold it and if there was any problems. Obviously he told her all about how crap it was and she was one relieved buyer!
 
:jump:
Lee_R said:
you'd be lucky to get it done for £200
Click to expand...
I got my parts including waterpump from (vw) same parts..cheaper than audi ! £118.56p all in and my mechanic charges £80 on a3/polo/golf tdi's and £110 for a4/passat......labour! i must be lucky !
 
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paul_r said:
Good idea. To contact the previous owner you would need to get that off the log book, unless there's another way.
Click to expand...

Log book or for a fee DVLA will sometimes pass on a request to an owner. This owner can decide if they want to contact you.
 
Check the rack for noise especially on left when full locks, check bearings for droning noise, check the oil lid for mayonaise, check oil levels overall, check for any smoke out of rear, check coolant levels, check for any coolant leak marks around the engine bay & bottom of the engine/tray.

BKD engines have a history of some issues, so be warned overall, not to say every bkd is *****, just be weary of these so check everything.

Tell them not to start the car or run it up at all the day you go see it if its not used at present, you want to start the car on a cold start.
 
NHN said:
Check the rack for noise especially on left when full locks, check bearings for droning noise, check the oil lid for mayonaise, check oil levels overall, check for any smoke out of rear, check coolant levels, check for any coolant leak marks around the engine bay & bottom of the engine/tray.

BKD engines have a history of some issues, so be warned overall, not to say every bkd is *****, just be weary of these so check everything.

Tell them not to start the car or run it up at all the day you go see it if its not used at present, you want to start the car on a cold start.
Click to expand...


I was under the impression the 2.0 tdi and 1.9 tdi were really good engines.
 
BKD's seem to have a rep with issues, personally experienced the turbo blowing issue, rack changed, so I expect a few other issues & tasking audi with a list of issues on a car thats less than 60k, although car is pristine now, just money I shouldnt be spending on that mileage age of car.
 
Any more comments. I'm going to look at it today.

AA inspection is £175.
Audi main dealer was too busy to do one.
 
robby said:
Sounds like the specialist who serviced the car didn't reset the indicator? if it was serviced at 47852 and it's done 50k it shouldn't need doing again in 4900 miles as this means it needs servicing every 7k?
Looking at the mileages for the 1st 2 services it looks to be on a longlife plan?

At £9k for a 50k mileage car it seems overpriced for a private sale (no warranty), dealer prices will be similar (with warranty)
Click to expand...

Its done 52k. I went to see the local Audi dealership. They said a lot of town driving would lower the interval, but i agree. It seems odd. They did say if the last garage forgot to reset the indicator, it wouldnt show 521 days, so it must have been reset.
 
As mentioned above check the steering rack for any noises, doing a full lock both ways when driving slowly. If the engine is warm when you get in it can hide a few problems. So don't commit & tell them you'll want to do another check. Also rather than just checking the oil cap, check the dipstick for any mayo.
 
Thanks for the help. I am now the owner of a 2005 2.0 TDI sport.

Hurrah !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(give me a few days and i'll post some photo's)
 
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