Used Car Buying: How VCDS Can Help You

Hello everyone!

I'm looking for a used car for my daughter.
I would also like to bring my VCDS device with me for the vehicle inspection, in order to, for example, read out the actual mileage.

"Does that work with older Volkswagen vehicles, or not? Could you please give me a tip on how to do it?"

"Besides the error codes, are there any other data that would be relevant for a potential buyer that I could retrieve?"

Thank you very much!

Volker.

Hi there.
It is not possible to detect a modified speedometer using VCDS.

Service booklet check, vehicle inspection documents...

It's best to bring someone along who is knowledgeable and has good judgment.

Hello,

The mileage recorded in the engine control unit can be read out using VCDS for many EDC15 systems. This mileage should roughly correspond to the odometer reading.

The corresponding car models are SDI/TDI versions manufactured approximately between 1999 and 2004, depending on the specific model.

To compare the mileage, you can also look at the rubber pads on the pedals; by observing how they look on different similar cars, you can get an idea of their approximate mileage.

See also Used Car Check.

Best regards, Rainer.

A smart odometer adjusts the mileage readings everywhere.

Rüdi wrote:

A smart tachograph adjusts the mileage readings everywhere.

If there were common sense everywhere, we would all be in a different situation.

Hi there,
Just show the history: service records, invoices, inspection reports. If only one is available, and it's brand new... Of course, it makes a difference whether you want to buy a four-year-old car from its first owner or a twenty-year-old vehicle, and whether it's being sold privately or by a dealership. Again, a short ownership period should raise some caution.
hg
Herbert.

Thank you all for the tips!

The link to the used car check is also very helpful! I wasn't even aware of that before!

It's crucial to use your brain and intellect, and leave your emotions at home.

Hello everyone,

If anyone is available to share their expert opinion with me:
I'm currently looking at a Polo car, manufactured in 2015, with 145,000 kilometers on the odometer.
When idling, it sounds really bad; the flywheel is defective and will be replaced soon.

My question is: Could a faulty flywheel have caused permanent damage to the transmission?

Also: Distinct light brown traces of lubricant are visible on the oil filler neck, as can be seen in the photo. Is this a warning sign?

If it's almost free and you can repair everything yourself, then go for it...

The sour cream might be from a local source; everything else will become apparent when disassembled.

Quote:

My question about this! Could a defective dual-mass flywheel have caused permanent damage to the transmission?

Yes, if the failing DMF has damaged the transmission housing. This can lead to complete failure depending on the extent of the damage.
hg
Herbert.

Rüdi wrote:

If it almost costs nothing and you can repair everything yourself, then go for it...

Hi Rudi,

Your answer somehow left me feeling uneasy!
Why do you think it shouldn't cost very much? The dealer is asking for €7,600. That doesn't sound too bad to me at first glance.

I'm looking forward to your answer/opinion!

Sure, here is the translation of the text from German to English:

"LG" translates to "Best regards" or "Sincerely" in English. It is a common abbreviation used at the end of emails and letters.

Because the car will soon be 10 years old, is currently not drivable (possibly only able to be moved onto a lift), and the repair at a workshop would cost several thousand euros?

Okay... "Thank you!"
However, he initially wants to have the damage repaired.
According to mobile.de, the price is actually quite good – excluding the issue with the transmission.

Please don't laugh at me now, okay? X

The salesperson informed me that, as a replacement for the service booklet which could not be found, they would have an Audi workshop print out the repair history.

My trusted VW workshop informed me (though without explicitly stating it) that only two entries exist in the system for the mentioned vehicle identification number. This contradicts the advertised "service record maintenance" of the car.

Could it really be true that VW doesn't have access to "Audi entries"? Isn't everything under one roof, or umbrella (VAG)?

Thank you all!