New SQ5 Advice

[Haines17]

Hi All,

First post I promise not to hit and run lol.

So I am looking to buy an SQ5, I'd love a new one, and wait a year for the pleasure, but i'd get strung up...

so I've found what looks like a decent 2018 model, I don't do 10's of thousands of miles, so wanted the Petrol version if possible, It does come with some service history, but i'd really like to get it tip top looked after if I buy it, what should I be looking to get sorted? they've told me they've just serviced it with the standard filters and plugs with an oil change which is easy enough to confirm.

I've not had any confirmation that Timing belt been done, so that's top of my list, what should I be adding to that? gearbox service? any help greatly appreciated! 🙂

Cheers

Haines

[cliffcoggin]

Being told it has just been serviced would not satisfy me. I would want a print of the full service history which Audi will be able to supply. If that does not meet the requirements of the service schedule I would walk away from the car.

[Haines17]

Thanks Cliff, It has 2 Services ive seen, plus the one they have done, Car is 6 years old, so that seems right on 2 years or 20K? its late 2018 so being due one just recently sounds about right? has anyone had any luck seeing service history from the Audi app? 

 

[Magnet]

Welcome Lee,

Thanks for being in touch.

It’s time to do some serious homework to best protect your wallet.

Car sales purchase or private? 
Mileage? 

Have you checked the on-line MOT history, the DVLA vehicle check to see when the last V5 was issued? If recent, it could (just could) have been in short term ownership - not a good sign.

Forget about Apps and e-mail, or even phone calls, but wander into a local Audi dealer and ask if it is possible to have copy of the computerised service history. If it has been averaging <10k miles a year, then it should have had annual services. If more than that, it should have been serviced at around every 18k or 18 months - whichever comes first. 
Are tyres matching on the same axle, and do all tyres have near enough the same remaining tread? 
Your homework should now lead you to walk away with your hands in your pockets or commit to buy. 
If you are tempted to commit to buy, I would recommend you get the car inspected at a trusted independent, local to where the car is being sold. 
If you really want to achieve best results from it, I would treat their service as if it never existed - it’s likely to have been treated to the cheapest oil, and a filter from a certain three letter factors. 
Buy yourself new oil, air and pollen filters - by Mann or Bosch, and engine oil by Quantum ( VAG’s brand).

I guess you have enough to do so far, so please come back to us when you have made a good start. 
Kind regards,

Gareth.

 

[cliffcoggin]

Lee.

You may have been told about the routine services that the vendor has done, but only a full service history from Audi, printed not verbal, will reveal any repairs or other miscellaneous work that has been done to the car. Surely you want to know about that before handing over cash?