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Should I be wary about buying an ex-rental MkVI Volkswagen Golf?

I am looking to purchase a Mk VI Volkswagen Golf 1.6TDi S. A franchised Volkswagen dealer in Bridgwater has a couple of examples at £11,980, which are one year old with 15,000 on the clock. They are some £2,000 cheaper than most similar examples we've seen. The dealer acknowledges they are very competitively priced and says they are simply looking to try and turn over some stock. When I asked about previous owners the dealer advised that both were car hire companies - Eurocar and Hertz. Should we be wary about this type of ownership history? I don't want to save £2,000 at the (potential) expense of a lot of hassle down the line. Your thoughts/advice would be much appreciated.

Asked on 15 February 2011 by JL, via email

Answered by Honest John
Not at all. Ex-rental cars are the best run-in cars you can buy, simply because a variety of different drivers prevents the engines settling into a performance pattern. We once had an ex-rental Mondeo that lasted nine years before disposal and only needing one repair: a clip on a power steering hose. (But than that was a Ford and they are less trouble than Volkswagens.) Do make sure the car has had all the service attention necessary to maintain its 3-year warranty.
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