'New' Car pick up

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Jonny R-Line
New
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Joined: Fri Jan 27, 2023 5:27 pm
Drives: 2018 Polo R-Line
Location: Scotland

'New' Car pick up

Post by Jonny R-Line »

Evening all,
Due to test drive, check over and drive home a 2018 Polo R-Line early next week.

Is there anything polo specific that I should be checking when I go up on Tuesday ?

Car has full main dealer service history. MOT passes are all clear with no advisories.

Will come with VW warranty but just wondered if there was something I should initially check for?

thanks
Jonny
SRGTD
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Posts: 3504
Joined: Sun Oct 11, 2015 9:40 pm
Drives: 2020 AW Polo GTI+, Pure White.
Location: UK

Re: 'New' Car pick up

Post by SRGTD »

Hi Jonny - This is what I’d be looking to check;
  • If you’ve already checked the car’s MOT history, then that’s one thing less to check. No MOT fails and no advisories are good signs and maybe an indication the car has been well cared for and well maintained.
  • Bodywork; check for damage - scratches, dents and dings and any evidence of any (poor) repairs - e.g. panels where the paint is a different shade or finish to the rest of the car. Check shut lines and panel gaps to ensure they’re all uniform and even. Check for any damage to the windscreen that might require the screen to be replaced - better this is done by the dealer rather than you getting it done on your insurance and having to pay an excess.
  • Wheels and tyres
    Wheels; check for scuffs and kerb damage to wheels. If the wheels are diamond cut, ensure they aren’t suffering from white worm corrosion. If you’re happy with the car after test driving it, if wheels are in need of refurbishment, get the dealer to agree to get this done as part of the deal.
    Tyres; mismatched cheap branded tyres might be an indication the previous owner has scrimped on maintaining the car; a set of 4 matching tyres of a well known brand with plenty of tread is a sign the car is more likely to have been well maintained.
  • Keys; ensure both of the car keys are present (they should both be remote fobs with folding key blades).
  • Interior; check trim for scuffs and scratches and seat upholstery for damage - e.g. cuts, tears, cigarette burn marks. Be aware if there are signs the previous owner was a smoker, then it will be very difficult - if not impossible - to get rid of the smell from the car’s interior.
  • Check that all equipment on the car (e.g. electric windows, infotainment unit, air con, etc, etc.) works so if anything isn’t working, the dealer can repair it prior to you taking delivery of the car - assuming you’re happy with it and buy the car.
  • On the test drive, check there are no ‘unusual’ noises from the engine, suspension or transmission, no steering imbalance / vibrations, and that the gears change smoothly. If a manual gearbox, ensure the clutch isn’t slipping.
  • Service history - from (I think) 2017, VW service records went digital, so for a 2018 car there won’t be a service book, however, you can ask the dealer to print out a copy of the car’s service history to check it has a full VW service history. I think it has to have a full VW service history if the dealer is selling it as a VW Approved Used car.
  • Check that the car’s recorded mileage looks correct by cross referencing with the service and MOT history.
  • If the car doesn’t have such things as floor mats and you would like a set, get the dealer to include these as part of the deal. Also, ensure you get at least a 1/2 tank of petrol (ideally, try and get the dealer to provide a full tank).
Don’t feel rushed by the salesperson - ask if you can spend 15 minutes or so before or after the test drive to check the car over. Also, if the dealer tries to get you to buy paint protection, GAP insurance etc. (big money makers for the dealer), then politely decline - if you want any form of paint protection, IMHO it’s better to get it done by a professional rather than a VW dealership valeter. Also, VW branded GAP insurance is horrendously expensive and it’s cheaper to buy it direct from a GAP insurance provider online (e.g. ALA, Direct GAP, Insure the GAP - there are many others).

Good luck - hope all goes well.
Jonny R-Line
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Posts: 5
Joined: Fri Jan 27, 2023 5:27 pm
Drives: 2018 Polo R-Line
Location: Scotland

Re: 'New' Car pick up

Post by Jonny R-Line »

Thanks for the pretty thorough response. Covered off all the bits that I was expecting to have a look out.

Have a car vertical report showing mileage going up fairly uniformly. All MOT’s are fine.

Have a digital copy of the service history showing 4 services which is good.

So sounds like the rest of it is fairly common sense and checking the car over.

Funny you should mention the paint protection and GAP, on the ‘quote’ it is listed so I will be unhappy if they have already done the autoglym lifeshine thing for £250.
Jonny R-Line
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Posts: 5
Joined: Fri Jan 27, 2023 5:27 pm
Drives: 2018 Polo R-Line
Location: Scotland

Re: 'New' Car pick up

Post by Jonny R-Line »

Well what a thoroughly wasted day. 2 and a half hour train journey to go see the car.

When I get there, many many more big stone chips which the video cutely didn’t show. Sales man suggests he hasn’t notice them.

Walk round to the passenger side alloys where someone has done a real good job on the alloys. Again not in the video that was sent so must have been done lost video but before this morning. And we aren’t talking small kerbing- proper chunk missing on front wheel.

The app connect / car play crashed a number of times mid year drive. Would display waze full screen but would do google maps etc

And then the AC sounded what I can only describe as leaking / hissing when on.

Not the warm and fuzzy feelings I was looking for so I walked away.

Also, car was advertised as cruise control but only had speed limiter.
Will admit I thought rlines did come With cruise but clearly not ?
Jonny R-Line
New
Posts: 5
Joined: Fri Jan 27, 2023 5:27 pm
Drives: 2018 Polo R-Line
Location: Scotland

Re: 'New' Car pick up

Post by Jonny R-Line »

Well what a thoroughly wasted day. 2 and a half hour train journey to go see the car.

When I get there, many many more big stone chips which the video cutely didn’t show. Sales man suggests he hasn’t notice them.

Walk round to the passenger side alloys where someone has done a real good job on the alloys. Again not in the video that was sent so must have been done lost video but before this morning. And we aren’t talking small kerbing- proper chunk missing on front wheel.

The app connect / car play crashed a number of times mid year drive. Would display waze full screen but would do google maps etc

And then the AC sounded what I can only describe as leaking / hissing when on.

Not the warm and fuzzy feelings I was looking for so I walked away.

Also, car was advertised as cruise control but only had speed limiter.
Will admit I thought rlines did come With cruise but clearly not ?
SRGTD
Bling Bling Diamond Member
Posts: 3504
Joined: Sun Oct 11, 2015 9:40 pm
Drives: 2020 AW Polo GTI+, Pure White.
Location: UK

Re: 'New' Car pick up

Post by SRGTD »

It’s disappointing you had a wasted day and equally disappointing that a dealer presents a VW Approved Used car for sale in that state (assuming it was a VW dealer that was selling it).

Stay positive - I’m sure the ‘right’ car is out there and you will find one that ticks all the boxes 🤞
MikeDO
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Posts: 218
Joined: Sun Mar 13, 2022 5:57 pm
Drives: GTI 2022 (white)
Location: SW Scotland

Re: 'New' Car pick up

Post by MikeDO »

If that's a franchised VW dealer... then that's shocking really!
lancslad1985
Gold Member
Posts: 727
Joined: Thu Jul 03, 2014 6:59 am
Drives: 2020 polo gti plus
Location: Preston, UK

Re: 'New' Car pick up

Post by lancslad1985 »

MikeDO wrote: Tue Jan 31, 2023 9:29 pm If that's a franchised VW dealer... then that's shocking really!
I’d be interested to know if it is and which one too, for the benefit of forum members. I had some shocking experiences with Lookers Preston and nearly quit VWs altogether. Bolton Inchcape have been fantastic thankfully.
Jonny R-Line
New
Posts: 5
Joined: Fri Jan 27, 2023 5:27 pm
Drives: 2018 Polo R-Line
Location: Scotland

Re: 'New' Car pick up

Post by Jonny R-Line »

Morning All.

Sorry for the slow reply.

It was at specialist cars Aberdeen - in the Skoda side of the group rather than the VW garage they have.

However at the weekend, I made the trip from Edinburgh to Salisbury to pick up a 18 plate SEL, 1 owner, 16k miles from Heritage of Salisbury VW who were excellent from start to finish.

Great drive up the road and loving the car.
SRGTD
Bling Bling Diamond Member
Posts: 3504
Joined: Sun Oct 11, 2015 9:40 pm
Drives: 2020 AW Polo GTI+, Pure White.
Location: UK

Re: 'New' Car pick up

Post by SRGTD »

Jonny R-Line wrote: Mon Feb 06, 2023 10:46 am Morning All.

Sorry for the slow reply.

It was at specialist cars Aberdeen - in the Skoda side of the group rather than the VW garage they have.

However at the weekend, I made the trip from Edinburgh to Salisbury to pick up a 18 plate SEL, 1 owner, 16k miles from Heritage of Salisbury VW who were excellent from start to finish.

Great drive up the road and loving the car.
Good to hear things have worked out for you.

Enjoy your car 👍.
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