VW Golf GTI MK7 - Decent buy?

VW Golf GTI MK7 - Decent buy?

Author
Discussion

Sc0tchland

Original Poster:

434 posts

88 months

Saturday 19th March 2022
quotequote all
Hello,
I've seen a car I like for sale on Cazoo - https://www.cazoo.co.uk/car-details/d8e5766c-f50f-... I was wondering if this is a good purchase? Anything I should look out for? Anything to avoid?

Thanks for your opinions!


Drive Blind

5,253 posts

184 months

Saturday 19th March 2022
quotequote all
it's the performance pack model, also has the park assist option

The wheels have been refurbed, I would assume to hide either excessive damage or excessive corrosion of the original diamond cut finish.

Looks like newish ditch finders on the rear and premiums on the front so if you get enthusiastic on wet roundabouts the ESP will be working overtime to stop the rear overtaking the front.

The boot floor isn't sitting level and somebody has lost all the wheel bolt covers,

Being a mk7 66 plate, it might be worth the stretch to a 17 plate on and the mk7.5 facelift models ?

and why do they take the pictures in the dark ?

Sc0tchland

Original Poster:

434 posts

88 months

Saturday 19th March 2022
quotequote all
Drive Blind said:
it's the performance pack model, also has the park assist option

The wheels have been refurbed, I would assume to hide either excessive damage or excessive corrosion of the original diamond cut finish.

Looks like newish ditch finders on the rear and premiums on the front so if you get enthusiastic on wet roundabouts the ESP will be working overtime to stop the rear overtaking the front.

The boot floor isn't sitting level and somebody has lost all the wheel bolt covers,

Being a mk7 66 plate, it might be worth the stretch to a 17 plate on and the mk7.5 facelift models ?

and why do they take the pictures in the dark ?
Thanks! I have looked at the picture of the boot floor and I can't work out what you mean, so good spot! I think a MK7.5 is probably out of my budget if I'm honest. I'd love to get a GTI but it's hard to find one that fits the bill. Thanks for your help!

Drive Blind

5,253 posts

184 months

Sunday 20th March 2022
quotequote all
re: the boot floor

have a look at other examples. The boot floor is removable and also can be adjusted to sit at 2 different heights.

In your example it's sitting too high on the LHS. It could just be it's been wrongly fitted but I'd be having a closer look in that area to see everything is present and correct.

Drive Blind

5,253 posts

184 months

Sunday 20th March 2022
quotequote all
here's a pic i've borrowed from the internet, this is how it should look


Sc0tchland

Original Poster:

434 posts

88 months

Sunday 20th March 2022
quotequote all
Drive Blind said:
re: the boot floor

have a look at other examples. The boot floor is removable and also can be adjusted to sit at 2 different heights.

In your example it's sitting too high on the LHS. It could just be it's been wrongly fitted but I'd be having a closer look in that area to see everything is present and correct.
Thank you, and one more question if I may. Would you be expecting to see a cambelt and water pump on that mileage/ age? Should I use that as a bargaining chip?

cuprabob

15,722 posts

221 months

Sunday 20th March 2022
quotequote all
Sc0tchland said:
Drive Blind said:
re: the boot floor

have a look at other examples. The boot floor is removable and also can be adjusted to sit at 2 different heights.

In your example it's sitting too high on the LHS. It could just be it's been wrongly fitted but I'd be having a closer look in that area to see everything is present and correct.
Thank you, and one more question if I may. Would you be expecting to see a cambelt and water pump on that mileage/ age? Should I use that as a bargaining chip?
It's a timing chain on the EA888 engine.

stevemcs

8,993 posts

100 months

Sunday 20th March 2022
quotequote all
Thermostats fail on them too, best to do the water pump at the same time, budget £600 ish. Cazoo warranty I’m not sure about, we have a customers RS3 and the transfer box has failed, they won’t replace it but need it removed, stripped and confirmed what’s wrong before they will authorise any repairs.

shtu

3,712 posts

153 months

Sunday 20th March 2022
quotequote all
Drive Blind said:
re: the boot floor

have a look at other examples. The boot floor is removable and also can be adjusted to sit at 2 different heights.

In your example it's sitting too high on the LHS. It could just be it's been wrongly fitted but I'd be having a closer look in that area to see everything is present and correct.
It's those naff plastic filler pieces at either side - they fall out of place at the slightest provocation.

You can see one on the left. Lying upside-down in the gap it should be in.

Sc0tchland

Original Poster:

434 posts

88 months

Sunday 20th March 2022
quotequote all
So all in all, would this car be something worth buying? It appears to all be okay on the face of things?

The Cardinal

1,317 posts

259 months

Monday 21st March 2022
quotequote all
I bought a car from Cazoo last year and generally like VAG products. Whether you buy this particular GTI will depend on what your standards are.

In its favour, this is an evergreen car at a good price. The business model of Cazoo and other big used dealers is based around an easy, convenient purchase of a used car that you can get serviced anywhere. If you are perfectly happy that it will come with details like budget tyres, re-painted wheels and mainly non-VW history - then go ahead with confidence.

You'll probably save 5-10% compared to buying a similar car from an approved used or specialist dealer, which is reflected in the 3-month warranty and average prep. It will be roadworthy and safe, but don't expect any enthusiast-pleasing details. My suspicion is that the wheels were re-painted by a previous owner rather than Cazoo.

I was happy to buy a 2017 Skoda Fabia this way because it was a fair bit cheaper and a rare auto. Personally, I would buy this GTI if I priced-in a proper refurb of the wheels, at least 2 tyres and then possibly another £500 on things like brake fluid changes etc that often get overlooked. It might still be cheaper than other cars.

As I say, it depends on your standards.

Adrian E

3,259 posts

183 months

Monday 21st March 2022
quotequote all
As a PP it should've had the fancy diff oil changed every 3 years - I say fancy as it's about £100 to have it done - so be nervous if that's been skipped. My local main dealer only mentioned it after it'd gone in for its 3rd annual service, so at least it wasn't missed on mine.

Mk7 is really holding its value well - we bought ours privately at a year old and wouldn't lose much if we sold it today, 6 years later.

Sc0tchland

Original Poster:

434 posts

88 months

Monday 21st March 2022
quotequote all
Adrian E said:
As a PP it should've had the fancy diff oil changed every 3 years - I say fancy as it's about £100 to have it done - so be nervous if that's been skipped. My local main dealer only mentioned it after it'd gone in for its 3rd annual service, so at least it wasn't missed on mine.

Mk7 is really holding its value well - we bought ours privately at a year old and wouldn't lose much if we sold it today, 6 years later.
Ah you're putting me off, I'm not sure what to do now frown

Adrian E

3,259 posts

183 months

Monday 21st March 2022
quotequote all
Really depends what history they have for the car - if it’s all main dealer any VW agent should be able to tell you if it was done, and on time

Dr G

15,403 posts

249 months

Tuesday 22nd March 2022
quotequote all
Have someone who knows what they're doing remove the pump and clean the gauze before refitting with new seal and oil. Pump in mine is original (87k miles) and works fine. Had 3 oil changes in its life so far.

The boot floor has a lower position as well.

Edit: From first hand experience of several cars Cazoo's pre-sale preparation leaves something to be desired. Inspect closely.

Aunty Pasty

727 posts

45 months

Tuesday 22nd March 2022
quotequote all
They seem to have nicked the floor mats and the plastic cover over the cigarette lighter/power outlet is also missing.

Dr G

15,403 posts

249 months

Tuesday 22nd March 2022
quotequote all
Cazoo = Lidl.

Stack em high, sell 'em cheap. Don't expect anything in terms of quality/care/service.

Sc0tchland

Original Poster:

434 posts

88 months

Tuesday 22nd March 2022
quotequote all
Understood thanks guys! I'll probably take a wide berth on this one. if anyone knows of any good examples (or forums to check) that would be ideal!

Thank you

Adrian E

3,259 posts

183 months

Wednesday 23rd March 2022
quotequote all
This one looks infinitely better, however it does have PSH and with P being a long way from F it may indicate gaps in its history:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111059...

There are a few on AT if you make some basic search adjustments (I’ve assumed manual, 5 dr, performance pack) and there’s 13 available with under 60k miles

Bobupndown

2,148 posts

50 months

Friday 25th March 2022
quotequote all
The style of diamond cut alloys on this age of GTI look naff, lacquer is always going to fail on them making them look naff, or it will have failed and they're then powder coated which also makes them look naff.