Buying a Fixed TDI? Important check list to bring

**Gunmeister** · 08-16-2019 08:06 PM

I myself bought a used Audi A6 TDI last year. I highly recommend it. The warranty is great and for the most part the car runs the same. I did as much research as I could but I still stumbled on the way and there are things I wish I would of known... please see below

The dealer should be replacing these items simply because these cars sat on average for 18+ months.

Brakes (my dealer changed)
Rotors (my dealer changed)
Battery (my dealer changed)
Wipers (my dealer changed)
Tires (they didn't change mine but I feel like I should have pressed the issue)

I was told they flushed and refilled the adblue tank, changed oil + filter.

Something my dealer that sold me the car did not do is change the brake fluid and tried to charge me for it 3 months later. In the maintenance schedule it clearly states brake fluid be changed every 2 years regardless of miles (my car had only 12k miles and they used that as an excuse not to do it). When I showed them the maintenance schedule they agreed to pay for the brake fluid flush but acted like they did me a favor.

Know what you deserve. Audi pays the dealer back for these services and you deserve them to be done. Happy hunting for your next TDI!

If anyone has any experiences to add or advice for someone looking for a TDI I'm sure others would appreciate it.

2016 A6 TDI*|*Mugello Blue, Pearl EffectExterior | Alabastar White Interior | Audi Exclusive Line | Eucalyptus Natural Wood Decorative Inlays | Prestige Package | Comfort Seating Package | Driver Assistance Package | S Line Sport Package | 20" Black Optic Package | Cold Weather Package | 18% Ceramic Film Windows | 70% Ceramic Film Windshield | Thinkware F800 Pro Dash Cam | Audi All Weather Mats*|1 of 1 for 2016

**Audibot** · 08-16-2019 09:39 PM

Your list sounds like the basic CPO checklist folks should be on the lookout for, which is a good comprehensive list to have. I've seen several stories of folks purchasing CPO cars only to have had the wool pulled over their heads. Definitely inspect the interior and exterior and use any/all defects to your advantage. I purchased mine from a non-Audi dealership (who was buying a ton of the TDIs), and there was a filled chip in the windshield. It did not pass my state's inspection, so I had it fixed for free. Took a while but worth it.

Take full advantage of the warranty. Check engine light? Go to the dealer. Flashing glow plug light? Go to the dealer. I had a one-time flashing light that basically put it in limp mode. Next off-on cycle, it was gone (codes were rail pressure x2, and fuel pump mechanical malfunction). Got a brand new engine fuel pump out of it. And I'm going in in a week and a half to address a new recall item regarding O2 sensors and exhaust buildup.

Tire brand/model greatly affect mpg. I lost a couple mpg going from Toyo Proxes 4-Plus to Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+, so that's an item to check depending on how much you value your mpgs. In addition to poor quality diesel. If you end up purchasing and don't have access to good stuff (like Southern States), consider an additive like Powerkleen or Stanadyne to increase cetane and lubricity.

Adblue refill is free at the dealership, so be aware of that.

And if you're in modding the car, there's not a whole ton of things in the US. Canada has a couple things, but a lot more comes from Europe.

**JoeM5952** · 08-18-2019 09:19 AM

Originally Posted by Audibot

Your list sounds like the basic CPO checklist folks should be on the lookout for, which is a good comprehensive list to have. I've seen several stories of folks purchasing CPO cars only to have had the wool pulled over their heads. Definitely inspect the interior and exterior and use any/all defects to your advantage. I purchased mine from a non-Audi dealership (who was buying a ton of the TDIs), and there was a filled chip in the windshield. It did not pass my state's inspection, so I had it fixed for free. Took a while but worth it.

Take full advantage of the warranty. Check engine light? Go to the dealer. Flashing glow plug light? Go to the dealer. I had a one-time flashing light that basically put it in limp mode. Next off-on cycle, it was gone (codes were rail pressure x2, and fuel pump mechanical malfunction). Got a brand new engine fuel pump out of it. And I'm going in in a week and a half to address a new recall item regarding O2 sensors and exhaust buildup.

Tire brand/model greatly affect mpg. I lost a couple mpg going from Toyo Proxes 4-Plus to Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+, so that's an item to check depending on how much you value your mpgs. In addition to poor quality diesel. If you end up purchasing and don't have access to good stuff (like Southern States), consider an additive like Powerkleen or Stanadyne to increase cetane and lubricity.

Adblue refill is free at the dealership, so be aware of that.

And if you're in modding the car, there's not a whole ton of things in the US. Canada has a couple things, but a lot more comes from Europe.

Wait, adblue fills are free? Is that only for CPO cars or all of them?

**Audibot** · 08-18-2019 10:12 AM

Originally Posted by JoeM5952

Wait, adblue fills are free? Is that only for CPO cars or all of them?

I've had it refilled every time I've brought it in for no charge. I thought I had read they have to fill it between service intervals for the duration of the emissions warranty. At minimum, you are supposed to get one free oil change and refill.

Of course, going through the multitude of pages/documents/legalese isn't easy.

Edit: Found it.

https://www.vwdieselinfo.com/pdf/VWC...Gen2_Final.pdf

**Gunmeister** · 08-18-2019 10:54 AM

Originally Posted by Audibot

I've had it refilled every time I've brought it in for no charge. I thought I had read they have to fill it between service intervals for the duration of the emissions warranty. At minimum, you are supposed to get one free oil change and refill.

Of course, going through the multitude of pages/documents/legalese isn't easy.

Edit: Found it.

https://www.vwdieselinfo.com/pdf/VWC...Gen2_Final.pdf

I've had mine added for free too. Sounds like in the wording of the document it's only free until the warranty is up I thought it was for the life of the vehicle

**Kevin1** · 08-18-2019 01:15 PM

I am also getting free fill ups and I haven’t even had the fix done yet.

**doublezero30** · 08-19-2019 05:08 PM

lol

**JoeM5952** · 08-21-2019 05:36 PM

Originally Posted by Audibot

I've had it refilled every time I've brought it in for no charge. I thought I had read they have to fill it between service intervals for the duration of the emissions warranty. At minimum, you are supposed to get one free oil change and refill.

Of course, going through the multitude of pages/documents/legalese isn't easy.

Edit: Found it.

https://www.vwdieselinfo.com/pdf/VWC...Gen2_Final.pdf

Awesome thank you, my dealer failed to mention this when I bought it from them. I had to fill the tank once already but I didn't go to them to do it since they aren't real close to me.

**Audibot** · 08-21-2019 07:23 PM

Originally Posted by JoeM5952

Awesome thank you, my dealer failed to mention this when I bought it from them. I had to fill the tank once already but I didn't go to them to do it since they aren't real close to me.

Mine didn't mention it either. I've filled twice--both times were on longer trips. This last time, however, the car never gave me the 1400 mile notification on the AdBlue or else I would have filled it myself before I left

**Coolrunning** · 08-23-2019 06:19 AM

Originally Posted by JoeM5952

Awesome thank you, my dealer failed to mention this when I bought it from them. I had to fill the tank once already but I didn't go to them to do it since they aren't real close to me.

I purchased my own adblue from the dealership last time. What a bunch of ******s for not mentioning this!

**Gunmeister** · 08-23-2019 07:25 AM

Originally Posted by Coolrunning

I purchased my own adblue from the dealership last time. What a bunch of ******s for not mentioning this!

**VinnysS4** · 08-23-2019 06:01 PM

Originally Posted by Gunmeister

I have a "fixed" 2011 TDI Q7. I'm curious if this applies as well for my AdBlue.... I literally just filled it myself...

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**Gunmeister** · 08-23-2019 06:40 PM

Originally Posted by VinnysS4

I have a "fixed" 2011 TDI Q7. I'm curious if this applies as well for my AdBlue.... I literally just filled it myself...

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**Gunmeister** · 08-27-2019 04:52 PM

**AGV** · 08-29-2019 09:10 AM

When we picked up our 2016 A6 TDI last week from the dealership I made it part of the deal to get new tires put on.
Along with having a Major Maintenance Service performed before delivery; we had them change the fuel filter as well.
The car is (was) brand new/used; we are the first owner and it only had 175KM on it.
It was never sold back in 2016, but it had been sitting there since then.

**Gunmeister** · 09-12-2019 05:30 PM

**Coolrunning** · 09-13-2019 08:59 AM

Thats just nuts!

We now own 3 TDI's(Golf, Q5, A6) so if they want to pay us, be my guest.

**VinnysS4** · 09-13-2019 09:20 AM

I bought a fixed Q7 months back.... Oh boy

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**Gunmeister** · 09-13-2019 12:50 PM

**jackinohio** · 03-22-2020 12:04 PM

Does your dealer require an appointment to fill the Adblue, or drop-in? Very inconvenient*to do the whole drop-off/pick-up ordeal.

Thanks,
Jack in Ohio
2012 Q7

**Gunmeister** · 03-22-2020 01:47 PM

Originally Posted by jackinohio

Does your dealer require an appointment to fill the Adblue, or drop-in? Very inconvenient*to do the whole drop-off/pick-up ordeal.

Thanks,
Jack in Ohio
2012 Q7

**VinnysS4** · 03-24-2020 12:40 PM

My dealer told me I would have to have them do a service on my car in order to fill the adblue. That or it was completely out of pocket. (1hr labor) So I buy the fluid and do it myself .

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**Gunmeister** · 03-24-2020 01:56 PM

**eurospek** · 03-24-2020 05:08 PM

If I knew adblue top off was free, I’d still buy it from my local VW dealer and top off myself like I did two weeks ago. The $20 spent on two ten liter jugs is worth not dealing with the typical dealership incompetence and runaround.

**Gunmeister** · 03-25-2020 07:22 AM

Originally Posted by eurospek

If I knew adblue top off was free, I’d still buy it from my local VW dealer and top off myself like I did two weeks ago. The $20 spent on two ten liter jugs is worth not dealing with the typical dealership incompetence and runaround.

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