New (used) car tomorrow.. Anything to look out for?

Kondax

Kondax

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Hey,

If all things go well I'll be picking up my first car tomorrow. Will be an A3 S-Line with the black edition styling and too many options to list. Really excited.

I'm wondering if there's anything in specific I should look out at when purchasing the car. It has 60k miles on it but does have full audi service history. Would it be worth getting some checks done on it by the local dealer too?

Regarding paint protection, does anybody have any relative prices for the A3? Will it be better to go to a local specialist or pay the (potential) premium imposed by audi?

Sorry if any of these questions sound stupid, just want to make sure the car's 100% perfect.

Edit: Also, I have Post Office insurance. Anybody have any experience with them regarding retrofitting? I'd like to install an OEM reverse camera and dash cams. I'm on provisional.

Thanks.
 
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At 60k miles I'd ask about the cam belt. Has it been changed / when is it due? Depending on the engine it may have a timing chain but either way replacing it is a big and therefore costly job. It could cost even more if it's not changed and then fails bending valve stems.

If you quote the engine size/fuel type on here someone should be able to help when it should be changed.

Did I get that right? You're only a provisional license holder, have you got prices for the insurance ?
 
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Chris43 said:
At 60k miles I'd ask about the cam belt. Has it been changed / when is it due? Depending on the engine it may have a timing chain but either way replacing it is a big and therefore costly job. It could cost even more if it's not changed and then fails bending valve stems.

If you quote the engine size/fuel type on here someone should be able to help when it should be changed.

Did I get that right? You're only a provisional license holder, have you got prices for the insurance ?
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Thanks very much! I'll be sure to ask regarding those. It's a 1.6L auto diesel, and I plan on doing a few 20+ mile trips a month just to keep the exhausts clean.

I am a provisional holder, I actually got the insurance on it today. Full license is looking around £2,000 annually, I'm paying £87/mo for provisional with £287 deposit.

Edit: Forgot to mention the car was recently serviced, so would it still be worth while to check over the cambelt?
 
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Chris43 said:
At 60k miles I'd ask about the cam belt. Has it been changed / when is it due? Depending on the engine it may have a timing chain but either way replacing it is a big and therefore costly job. It could cost even more if it's not changed and then fails bending valve stems.

If you quote the engine size/fuel type on here someone should be able to help when it should be changed.

Did I get that right? You're only a provisional license holder, have you got prices for the insurance ?
Click to expand...
This is good advice. For my 2.0 tdi S-line, cam belt needs replacing every 100000 miles or every 5 years. Whichever comes first. Had mine done yesterday at Portsmouth Audi, cost £495 and they will MOT the car free for the rest of the time I own it......result.

Cam belt is not a job to ignore and it doesn't come as part of a service. Definitely check it out before buying the car.
 
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Scotty75 said:
This is good advice. For my 2.0 tdi S-line, cam belt needs replacing every 100000 miles or every 5 years. Whichever comes first. Had mine done yesterday at Portsmouth Audi, cost £495 and they will MOT the car free for the rest of the time I own it......result.

Cam belt is not a job to ignore and it doesn't come as part of a service. Definitely check it out before buying the car.
Click to expand...
Thanks Chris, I'll be sure to check it over
 
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Kondax said:
I am a provisional holder, I actually got the insurance on it today. Full license is looking around £2,000 annually, I'm paying £87/mo for provisional with £287 deposit.

Edit: Forgot to mention the car was recently serviced, so would it still be worth while to check over the cambelt?
Click to expand...

On face value £2k appears a lot but I guess it's the going rate these days for inexperienced drivers. Good luck with the driving test when you get to it.

A service is unlikely to cover the cam belt/timing chain. Definitely ask when it's due and has it been done. There can also be a time limit rather than distance. Are you buying from a main dealer? Also ask how much warranty is on the car, all come with manufacturer 3 years or 60000 as standard so there may not be any left.
 
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Chris43 said:
On face value £2k appears a lot but I guess it's the going rate these days for inexperienced drivers. Good luck with the driving test when you get to it.

A service is unlikely to cover the cam belt/timing chain. Definitely ask when it's due and has it been done. There can also be a time limit rather than distance. Are you buying from a main dealer? Also ask how much warranty is on the car, all come with manufacturer 3 years or 60000 as standard so there may not be any left.
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Yeah, fortunately I'm in a position where I'm lucky enough to afford the car from working and saving up the past few years. Thought I'd treat myself haha. Thanks.

I'm buying from a private sale hence wanting to have as much info before going in as possible. Since there's 56.5k miles on the car I've still got warranty for a few thousand miles (I think, unless 3 years coming first means it's over?), but not much left at all. Since it's a 2014 plate I think it'll be best to have a good check beforehand.
 
It's out of warranty mate I'm afraid.

Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk
 
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If it 2014 the manufacturer warranty has finished. It runs for 3 years from the date it's registered.

  • Ask the owner for any receipts they have for car, services, tyres etc
  • Look at the wheels in detail, check for dints or scuffs. A clean set of wheels implies the car has been loved.
  • Check the inner shoulders of the front tyres, if the tread wear is uneven the tracking maybe out.
  • Check tread depth all round
  • When is the MOT due
There's hundreds of things to check, take someone with you who knows cars, or you can pay an engineer to inspect it for you.

Don't be afraid to walk away if it seems to good to be true.
 
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Good luck with collecting the car. We look forward to the pics. Enjoy. :)
 
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Chris43 said:
If it 2014 the manufacturer warranty has finished. It runs for 3 years from the date it's registered.

  • Ask the owner for any receipts they have for car, services, tyres etc
  • Look at the wheels in detail, check for dints or scuffs. A clean set of wheels implies the car has been loved.
  • Check the inner shoulders of the front tyres, if the tread wear is uneven the tracking maybe out.
  • Check tread depth all round
  • When is the MOT due
There's hundreds of things to check, take someone with you who knows cars, or you can pay an engineer to inspect it for you.

Don't be afraid to walk away if it seems to good to be true.
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Thanks for the detailed info. My dad will be going with me and he'll be able to give the car a good check too. The car had its MOT done a few weeks ago so we're good on that. I'll be sure to get receipts and check everything else over too.
 
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Just picked up the car! Thanks everybody
 
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If it's your first car you've done well. Mine was a scruffy 5yr old Fiat Uno. Lets see some pictures
 
Chris43 said:
If it's your first car you've done well. Mine was a scruffy 5yr old Fiat Uno. Lets see some pictures
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Haha yeah thanks. I'll grab some pics when home, was a horrible 4 hour journey in traffic each way
 
The journey is over now, Now you can enjoy.
 
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Unfortunately going to be out all night so will post photos tomorrow. Does anybody know the total cost for an OEM reverse camera installation? Thanks
 
@Scotty75

Did your cambelt include the water pump ?? My local Audi want 495 for cambelt only and 649 for cambelt and water pump
 
Kondax said:
That isn't including the cost of the camera, correct?
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Genuine Audi OEM Reversing Camera, new parts with 2 years warranty, supplied and fitted. The Camera is the facelift MQB version with adaptive guidelines. Example images of a recent install:

IMG 2681 IMG 2895 IMG 2899 IMG 3111
 
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audi upgrades
Kondax said:
I'll contact you as soon as I've passed then (can't go on motorways provisional)
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The law changed on the 4th of June. Learner drivers are allowed on the motorway. I've seen a few on the M60 already, the jury is out on whether it's a good idea...
 
Chris43 said:
The law changed on the 4th of June. Learner drivers are allowed on the motorway. I've seen a few on the M60 already, the jury is out on whether it's a good idea...
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With a qualified driving instructor in a car with dual controls.
 
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Not sure if too late. Look out for the following:

- SatNav activated with Sim card (if you want that) if not, it's expensive
- When the last Transmission and Brake Fluid change was
- Cambelt/Water Pump change due time
- Brake discs/pads
- Condition of the tyres
- When the next service is due, and what the service history is like
 
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Chris43 said:
The law changed on the 4th of June. Learner drivers are allowed on the motorway. I've seen a few on the M60 already, the jury is out on whether it's a good idea...
Click to expand...
Yeah, but as Matt said you need a qualified driving instructor and dual control unfortunately. There isn't many close to us either, so I'll be unlikely to go on one until after I've passed
 
tyr92 said:
Not sure if too late. Look out for the following:

- SatNav activated with Sim card (if you want that) if not, it's expensive
- When the last Transmission and Brake Fluid change was
- Cambelt/Water Pump change due time
- Brake discs/pads
- Condition of the tyres
- When the next service is due, and what the service history is like
Click to expand...

Everything checked out fine The owner threw in two extra wheels for the front that I'll swap over to before the next MOT
 
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