What are the dangers of buying a low mileage Golf?

I have been offered a low mileage 15 month old Volkswagen Golf 1.6 Tdi SE DSG by a franchised but non-Volkswagen dealer. The car is £15,000 and has 3500 miles on the clock. I have been told the previous owner covered less than 100 miles per week.

The car is an ex-Motability and the dealer will service it prior to the sale. Is the low mileage likely to lead to future trouble? Will it have been "run-in" properly? What are your thoughts?

Asked on 21 October 2014 by privateinvestor

Answered by Honest John

The Motability customer probably became too disabled to drive, or died, which explains the early return. VAG's 1.6TDI is not a great engine anyway and is more prone than most diesels to short run syndrome, on top of which the dry clutch DSG-7 has been the subject of a worldwide recall to change the oil in it. Better to go for a Golf 1.4TSI or 1.4TSI ACT.

Tags: buying a used car low mileage

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