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Golf TDI Blue Motion 2 litre - Golf TDI MK7 2016 - Good car or steer clear? - Radam87

I'm looking to buy a car for around £12,000.

My old man is getting rid of a Golf MK7 (12,000 miles) 2016 Blue motion 1.9 TDI.

The question is - do I buy it know it's been well looked-after and for a bagain price etc or go for something else?

Mainly use it for my work commute (12 miles each way) and one motorway commute a week (80-100 mile round trip).

Old man has just retired so he's switching to a petrol Fabia.

I'm a little apprenhensive about getting another diesel. Any advice peeps?

Many thanks

Golf TDI Blue Motion 2 litre - Golf TDI MK7 2016 - Good car or steer clear? - badbusdriver

Your mileage doesn't really necessitate diesel, but as it is a 2.0, which i believe is a bit stronger than the 1.6, and assuming it is a manual gearbox, might be worth a punt at that price (cheapest 2016 bluemotion 2.0tdi on autotrader with >15k miles is £15k). Especially as you know it's history and presumably know how your Dad drives it.

But, it might also be worth considering going down the same road as him. For example:

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20171202174...1

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20171025062...1

Economical, fast enough for most, and no DPF, AdBlue or whatever to worry about.

Golf TDI Blue Motion 2 litre - Golf TDI MK7 2016 - Good car or steer clear? - Radam87

Thanks!

Golf TDI Blue Motion 2 litre - Golf TDI MK7 2016 - Good car or steer clear? - Big John

I think you do the correct sort of journeys to keep a DPF OK especially the 80-100 mile round trip every week. As mentioned the 2.0 diesel is better long term engine compared to the 1.6 and the Golf is a much better car compared to a Fabia. As know the cars history and presumably you'll be buying it for a "trade in" price I'd go for it.

Strangely enough I'd made my mind up to only buy petrol from now on but I still might yet change my mind in the future. Gasoline Particulate Filters are being introduced this year and I don't want one until the technology has "settled!" whereas DPF's have been around since before 2010 and any early implementation issues have long since been resolved. Also due to dieselgate there are some cracking deals on diesel cars - In 2015 when I bought my Superb II petrol it was the other way round!

Edited by Big John on 26/03/2018 at 22:42

Golf TDI Blue Motion 2 litre - Golf TDI MK7 2016 - Good car or steer clear? - Radam87

Cheers folks. Yeah I can confirm he will sell for just under what the garage will give trade in.

Are there any other tips or pieces of advice to help me keep it in good shape?

Many thanls

Edited by Radam87 on 11/11/2019 at 22:03

Golf TDI Blue Motion 2 litre - Golf TDI MK7 2016 - Good car or steer clear? - SLO76
It was only pre 2015 cars that were affected by the emissions scandal and following quick fix that has resulted in common EGR issues. As long as you’re doing a regular long run then it should be fine especially if it is the 2.0 engine which is less likely to go wrong for some reason despite being essentially a larger bore version of the same design. It’s a good car, very nice to drive and you know its history plus I assume you’re getting it at trade money.

You’d be daft to spend more to get less at a dealer. If it has a full VW history (oil changes every year) i wouldn’t hesitate. Just don’t buy expecting perfect fault free motoring however, they are prone to plenty of irritating gremlins. That said for every unhappy owner you meet there’ll be 3 who are delighted. I’ve a Polo with essentially the same engine minus a cylinder and it’s been s great wee car despite its occasional fault and VW tend to be quite good regarding goodwill if it has a VW history.

Obviously you know the car but clutch master cylinders are a common failure so check it’s operating properly and the clutch isn’t dragging. Check for alternator warning light as they’re hugely expensive on these and check all door locks operate properly and that there’s no warning lights. Later examples like this are less likely to have DPF or EGR problems but it hasn’t been used correctly to date with such a low mileage unless the bulk of it has been distance driving so it’s possible the DPF will be a problem at some point.

I’d buy it.

Edited by SLO76 on 26/03/2018 at 23:57

Golf TDI Blue Motion 2 litre - Golf TDI MK7 2016 - Good car or steer clear? - Radam87

Clutch feels good. No warning lights visible. Hopefully good to go-ahead.

Does anyone use those diesel cleaning products such as Red X or are they not all they're cracked up to be?

Golf TDI Blue Motion 2 litre - Golf TDI MK7 2016 - Good car or steer clear? - oldroverboy.

Just use Shell v power or eqivalent see HJ advice...

Monitor your oil levels weekly!

Edited by oldroverboy. on 27/03/2018 at 07:57

Golf TDI Blue Motion 2 litre - Golf TDI MK7 2016 - Good car or steer clear? - Radam87

Any further thoughts people. I feel as though the diesel hate has been on the rise of late so still wondering if to get the Golf or resign myself to a 1 litre Seat Ibiza FR and try to reduce the motorway commute.

Golf TDI Blue Motion 2 litre - Golf TDI MK7 2016 - Good car or steer clear? - gordonbennet

By the time Diesel hate has any real effect, you'll have had several years good use out of the car and as you're getting it for a bargain price you are already way ahead, i too would buy it and there are millions of us who arn't bothered about current fads/trends so it will always sell.

But do get the oil changed regularly, max of once a year, if you don't mind doing a bit of DIY it would be childs play, first time you change it if you fit a Fumoto, then an oil change is so easy as to be crime not to, oil cheap as chips if you buy it by the 20 litre pack.

www.quickvalve.co.uk/

I'm not sure if this engine suffers from the EGR probs that affected the 1.6 a few years ago, but as above, using better fuel will help minimise that issue too as well as helping the DPF out.