Just come across another list of things to look for, specifically for 964s (thanks Jem hayward):
964 ChecksCheck door hinge bolts for movement, reseating, paint fit and finish.B post should have barcode affixed. Nearside.Door slam plates same reasons.Oil tank drivers side front wheel arch, in front of wheel, check for impactdamage, and leaky, possibly rusty pipes.Check engine compartment for all stickers : Mobil 1/Shell on intake duct,others where engine cover closes.Check distributor assembly for plastic pipe to inlet manifoldCheck service history - distributor connection belts should have beenreplaced.Check oil level gauge for level when warm at tickover. Then check (dip) oilstill at tickover. Should tally. Sensor is £££.Check oil level anyway. Running with low oil is bad news.Check for any oil leaks around top of engineCheck the under engine plate. This may be damp with oil, but nothingserious.Should be nice mixture of oil and dust.Throttle body rubbers should have been replaced at approximately 40k miles.Steering should have no steering play dead at straight ahead, but a slightdead zone.It should not be snatchy as this points to front suspension bushes beingworn.Check inside front tyres check for wear possibly due to suspension bushes.Opinions differ. Seems to make the car slightly fidgety if they are worn -but no major deal.Check power steering pump for noise.At full lock with engine lid open. Listen.In 3rd gear lift off at 45mph and listen. Should be no loud flywheelgraunging. Most flywheels should have been sorted by now - or superceded onlater models.Check front disks for lip (disk wear).Check that rear spoiler works, this is M£££ to repair.Check sunroof motor works. This is £££. (I know).Check heater/ac panel works. This is £1000 to replace.Check that passenger electric window operates ok. They don't get used much,stick, and then people burn out the motors.Check boot and bonnet hydraulic struts. If they are a little soft this canbe good! Means they haven't been swapped for another reason! They workbetter when weather is warm - mind the bonnet doesn't drop on your head.That latch thing hurts!Check for sticker under bonnet for paint code, VIN number and options list.This should be well stuck on. Like it has never been off and never will comeoff! Should be the same as the one in the front of the service book. Easy toderive fitted options. Option code numbers all over the Internet,Check that the car has original porsche battery. This is importantespecially on a c4 which draws a lot of current (for hydraulic booster etc)and is £150+ to replace.Check that gear oil has been replaced (probably twice) during servicehistory.Car cold, air con on, should be hard to pull away. Indicates good a/c chargepressure.Check slight oil smell inside car (slight is fine). Turn heat right up andfan right up and sniff for oil smell.Check front and rear underbody guards for damage.Check for first aid kit, compressor, tool kit, plastic bag for removedwheel, plastic gloves (all shipped with car at new). Says good owners.Check wheel bearing rumble. Especially back ones. Roll in neutral at 30mph+Listen to exhaust for baffles noise and leaks. Should be rock solid.New cat may be required at this age, can't really check without garagesupport. (Could be replaced with sports exhaust!).If 92 claimed car, check that rear ind lenses have vents. Condensation inrear lights is normal - and they have a tendency to crack - doesn't alwaysmean they've been dinged! Later cars/lenses are better, but not cured!Condensation not normal in other lights - except possibly side repeaters -but they are cheap anyhow - especially if you replace with (identical) VWGolf parts!Compare build date - front of service book, and date of first reg.
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