Try one, you will find they are a slug. Had a Polo with the same engine, slow to the point of being almost dangerous and that was a smaller lighter car with under 20,000 miles.

Check when its had its cambelt and tensioner last changed.

They need changing every last 4 years/40,000 miles, cost around £350- £400. Also the waterpump probably needs changing every 2nd cambelt change as they last only around 80k max, another £50 when done with a cambelt change as the cambelt needs to be removed to replace the pump.

As its a PD engine it'll will probably have a DMF dual mass flywheel which needs checking as that vintage also only lasted 100k max, sometimes much shorter. Expensive to change around £700 I think.

It will also have a one way clutched alternator, the clutch is prone to seizing, check the auxillary belt tensioner on the belt that drives the alternator when its idling, if its flapping about wildly and you can hear squeaking and screeching from the belt at idle the clutch will be seized. At least £75 to get alternator clutch changed or £400 for a new alternator.

Other usual checks, brake pads, disks, knocking sounds from suspension when driving on rough roads - anything from arb links (common) to major suspension wear £££.

Its an old high miler so likely to have lots of worn out bits. The SDI engine will probably be the least of your worries as they should last a lifetime if its been serviced from time to time.

Look at service history and insist on seeing invoices as proof. Without proof, its only worth buying if you expect to dump it after a year so dont pay too much £300 - £400? even in prime condition its only worth around £600

Edited by brum on 25/08/2015 at 18:17