Buying an A4 Avant

[Conners]

Hi I’m wanting/hoping for some advice 

I have enquires about an A4Avant advertised on autotrader for £1700

the guy selling says it’s got an intermittent engine management light 

it’s done 125000 miles and it’s on a 07 plate 

I’m interested in buying the car but want options on worst case scenario cost wise regarding the engine light also is there any way of checking the cars previous work history as it states it’s Previous work has been done by audi

thanks 

conrad

[Magnet]

Hello Conrad,

Trade sale or private? How long has the last recorded keeper owned it?

Whatever is stated in the advert in terms of history ...e.g. ‘previous work been done by Audi’ etc. -  ask the seller to provide you with an image of that evidence. This is your important starting point. 

Unable or unwilling to do so?? Think twice, or 3 times! 

Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[Conners]

Hi mate it’s a trade sale they’ve taken it in part ex and the advert on the autotrader site says it had cam belt done at 107000 by Audi but they don’t have any invoices just a tick ✔️ in the service book!?

i spoke to him and he says it’s had an intermittent engine management light but it’s not on at the moment and it still drives and pulls as normal 

I accept it’s a fair price but not if it’s going to cost a fortune to put right or worse still goes bang on my way home!!

[Magnet]

Ask for the contact details of the last registered keeper and talk with them to get the full story. 

This request is likely to be met with ‘ can’t - Data Protection Act .. and all that’ . You then have to make your decision. You don’t tell us (with image evidence ) of keeper ...... ‘acquired vehicle on date ....’ 

EML on? OK, but there are many many other aspects to check before deciding to go ahead, and without this full inspection, it’s going to be very difficult (impossible?) for anyone to offer meaningful advice without actually having the car to view.  

If Its considered to be cheap, then why not invest some of the ‘savings’ on an inspection by say a local -to -the-seller independent specialist? If the seller is reluctant to allow this? .......

Kind regards, 

Gareth. 

[Conners]

Ok mate thanks for your help 

it states it’s had 3 former keepers the last one since 2016

the drawback is the vehicle is 100 miles away from me

[Magnet]

Thanks Conrad.

Is it really worth a 200 mile round trip to view the car, or indeed to commit to an interest to buy it? 

The trade seller has to offer a basic guarantee, but would it be of any use to you if you have to return it on a 200 mile trip to get any warranty work done?

Kind regards, 

Gareth.