European cars made up 30 of the 181 reports in the Instant Auto Reach Inspection Index. Of the 13 with severity-rated findings, 8 had at least one major fault. The faults were rarely dramatic. They were leaks, bushes and electronics, on cars where each of those costs more to fix.
| Make | Reports |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz | 15 |
| Volkswagen | 6 |
| BMW | 5 |
| Audi | 2 |
| Porsche | 1 |
| Polestar | 1 |
The median odometer was 115,979 km.
Volkswagen – five Golfs and a Scirocco
The Golfs showed how much one model can vary.
- A 2016 Golf GTI 40 Years at 114,105 km had an active oil leak, a suspected faulty PCV valve and coolant residue under the oil cap. The seller agreed to fix the leak before sale.
- A 2012 Golf at 176,449 km had a cracked subframe bush, multiple oil leaks and a slight DSG shudder on take-off.
- A 2016 Golf 92TSI had coolant residue at the water pump.
- A 1993 Golf Cabriolet with full service history was rated good for a club car.
- A 2012 Scirocco at 93,066 km was a proceed, subject to a roadworthy.
BMW – watch the diesels
Two X5 40d diesels, a 2010 and a 2011, both had heavy oil leaks at the rear of the engine. One also had excessive blow-by and the other had oil inside the intercooler pipes. A 2011 320d needed front control arm bushes and brake rotors. On the other side, a 2018 430i at 99,656 km was rated very good.
Audi – the car with two write offs
A 2018 Audi Q2 drove well and was rated good. The PPSR showed it had been written off twice. Read the Audi Q2 case file.
Porsche and Polestar
A 2015 Cayenne at 115,979 km had a rocker cover oil leak and low brakes, which the seller agreed to replace. A 2023 Polestar 2 tested at 94.5% battery State of Health with no fault codes.
Mercedes Benz
Half the European reports. Oil leaks, a recurring oil pump code and AMG brakes. We cover them in what 15 used Mercedes inspections found.
Three rules for a used European car
- Scan it. Several of these cars had live fault codes and no warning light.
- Price the leaks. A leak that is a small job on a Corolla can be a large one here.
- Check the paper. Two of 30 had a write-off history. Run a PPSR check and read our PPSR guide.
What a thorough inspection looks like
A reviewer who booked us for a Volkswagen Tiguan wrote that our inspector spent more than two and a half hours on the car, explained everything clearly, and contacted other specialists for a second opinion when something needed it.
Many European cars are bought sight unseen from interstate. Our interstate and remote inspection sends you photos, video and a phone call. For a car in Melbourne, book a European car inspection.
Buy the European Car, Not Its Repair Bill
Leaks, bushes and electronics are not dramatic faults, but on a BMW, Audi, Volkswagen or Mercedes they are expensive ones. Two of the thirty had a write-off history. Several had live fault codes with nothing on the dash.
Whether the car is down the road or you are buying from interstate, we inspect it in person and send you photos, video and a phone call to walk you through it.
CUSTOMER REVIEW
“Professional, efficient and detailed report. Appreciated the phone call to discuss the report as well”
Check Review
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