Questions to ask a S8 seller
 

Guys

I'm not a mechanic (just know where to put the oil and water :)) and have a very limited knowledge of the S8. When I contact a seller, I have a list of questions that I always ask:

1. Date of registration?
2. Number of previous owners including yourself?
3. How long have you owned it for?
4. Taxed to when?
5. MOT to when?
6. Current MOT certificate issue number and registration number? Please this is not for any fraudulent use but to check the MOT is valid on the Directgov website.
7. Details of full service history - date, mileage and by whom? Is the service book stamped up accordingly?
8. Is the car HPI clear?
9. Has the car been involved in any accidents/prangs or been recorded as Cat C,D,etc?
10. What is the general condition of the bodywork? Are there any scratches, marks, rust patches, etc?
11. Has the timing belt service been carried out and if so, do you have documentation to prove it has been carried out?
12. What paperwork, documentation, invoices, etc come with the car?
13. Do you know if any optional extras have been fitted and if so, what?
14. Could you please confirm the condition of the alloy wheels
15. Where are you exactly located?
16. With a car this age, there must be good and bad points about the car. What are these? Please be honest!
17. Why are you selling the car?
18. Is the triptronic box working smoothly with no problems from both the steering wheel controls and the box itself?
19. Has the gearbox been serviced or rebuilt at any point? If so, have you any documentation to prove it?

Could you please have a look at them and tell me what additional questions I should be asking if any.

Many thanks

James

Very thorough, can't think of anything else to add really. Just call Audi customer services 0800 699 888 and get the spec of the car as the owner may not know it all. Ask about the condition of the tyres maybe? All my tyres are matching premium brands all around. When you see a car with mismatching budget tyres everywhere it shows signs of skimping to me.

Many thanks again for the quick response.

I assume that I will need the VIN number when contacting Audi Customer Services?

James

Heres a useful checklist specific to A/S 8's from AudiPages too +++

Numberplate is fine 80% of the time.

Many thanks.

James

Yeah, private plates can throw them at times, especially if it's not been serviced by Audi for a good few years.

Also if the car was originally an import then Audi UK won't have any info - this came up a lot when I was looking at S4/S6 from 2002-2004

1/ If you're a liar lie through your teeth
2/ If you're honest, you'll now put me off your car.

James. Go see them with your own eyes and if available also the eyes of someone familiar with 8's. And be prepared to put in some miles.
But its a good idea to budget an extra couple of £k. Cos no matter how knowledgeable you are and straight to seller and perfectly well maintained the car. Its going to be going on for 10 years old....
There's no substitute for your bum in the seats of a few.
Having said that I bought the first I saw, both times :love:

Oh! One more question. For THE LIST
Have you, or any previous owner, or occupant had sex in the car?

My last one has some odd scrapes and marks, and my only explanation (after much consideration) was the above.

Perhaps that's my dirty mind, but how otherwise can a gouge in the plastic interior mirror surround be explained :rolleyes:

If you can try to take a small lap top with VCDS with you to check for fault codes. Even better if one of the forum members can go with you as they may be able to notice things like odd sounds, etc, because they are used to how a good car should sound.
This too is tricky but it would be good if they would let you remove the undertray to check for leak stains.

If they dont have service receipts going back to the start, that would worry me too. I would want to see how often engine oil, etc was changed. (sorry just saw you already covered this).

I bought the first one I saw too :p