Buyer beware…

ENGINE

Check that the water pump, timing belt, balancer shaft belt and timing chain tensioner guides, if not the chain itself, have been changed at fouryearly intervals. Look for oil leaks from the front engine seal and inspect the fuel pipes for rust. Check the electric cooling fan cuts out: the relay is £200.

TRANSMISSION

Listen for the rear diff pinion bearing whining and feel for it vibrating. Check the clutch since a replacement is expensive. Make sure the Tiptronic has had regular oil changes. Controls such as kickdown switches can play up.

TYRES, BRAKES AND SUSPENSION

Make sure pads aren’t seized in the calipers and the brake pipes aren’t corroded. Check the condition of the trailing and control arms, and the front wishbone outer ball joints, which can fail frequently. Make sure the shock absorbers are okay since they’re expensive to replace.

BODY

Remove the under-trays and check for rust. Look for water ingress from the sunroof and tailgate, which can affect an under-seat-mounted ECU. The galvanised body is prone to rust, especially under the rear wheel arches and around the rear trailing arm bodyshell mounts.

INTERIOR

Check that, where fitted, the air-con works. Inspect the carpets in the cabin and boot for damp; also, the door and tailgate seals for splits and weakness.