Should I buy a used car that has a "minor oil leak?"?

Question

My old car finally bit the dust and I am in need of a new one ASAP. I don't have a whole lot of $$ to spend so I'm not looking for anything fancy, I just need it to run and look semi decent. I found a decent used car for sale by the owner who says there is a minor oil leak and it needs a valve cover gasket. It's a 1999 VW Passat in pretty good condition otherwise. My question is, is it really worth buying a used car with this issue? If I do buy it, how much would the repairs cost me? And is it something that needs to be addressed immediately or can I drive it for a while before I get it fixed?

Answer 1

Hmmm I think you should use public transport and save up money for a down payment on a brand new car with a 5 years breakdown warranty and gap insurance.

RE:

Should I buy a used car that has a "minor oil leak?"? -

My old car finally bit the dust and I am in need of a new one ASAP. I don't have a whole lot of $$ to spend so I'm not looking for anything fancy, I just need it to run and look semi decent. I found a decent used car for sale by the owner who says there is a minor oil leak and it needs a valve cover gasket. It's a 1999 VW Passat in pretty good condition otherwise. My question is, is it really worth buying a used car with this issue? If I do buy it, how much would the repairs cost me? And is it something that needs to be addressed immediately or can I drive it for a while before I get it fixed?

Answer 2

If it was a minor oil leak, he probably would have fixed it.





That said, about 20+ years ago I was a curbstone car dealer, I had a cheap little Mazda that I was using as a "driver" that had a rear main seal leaking. It was a $700 car and the repair at the time was expensive, I don't recall exactly if it was $250-350 but I wasn't going to spend it. So I asked my mechanic if it would be alright as long as I never ran it out of oil. He said yes. And I kept driving it for almost a year. This car had a constant drip of oil whenever the car was running. But not when it was parked.



I checked the oil every 2-3 weeks and added a little when it needed it.



And when I sold it, I was totally honest about the oil leak. Ran into the guy about 3-4 years later and he said it was still going strong...and still had the oil leak. He was thrilled with the car despite the oil leak.



Another time, I had a car with an obvious valve cover gasket leaking. I told potential buyers about it and said I would have it repaired but the price would have to increase. Someone bought it like it was.



A 99 VW is a cheap car but unless you can tell its coming from the valve cover gasket, I would assume its something more than a minor oil leak and discount the cars value accordingly.



Don't assume its a cheap fix. Have someone look at it before you buy it.



But keep in mind that an oil leak does not mean a worthless or unusable car. Sometimes, it just means its cheaper to add oil.



If you "forget" and run it out of oil, you will ruin the engine. Same way if the car runs hot and you don't stop.

Answer 3

What if it needed the worst access and expensive issue fixed with the engine ?

What if you had to pay ? Or fix it yourself ?

Research that engine in that car for recalls and TSB's

They tell you the MFR update. Automotive databases or the dealer is where you can ask and or read about what goes on with them.

If it's worth having in your future, you can spend some time at a library even, finding out.

A car with a leaky oil sender is really probably the most common.

The updates for valve cover can be the part they use for the update.

Your mechanic needs to run a dye test to honestly give you the actual source of the leak.

Having the car inspected and or diagnosed before buying it is not only your right, but your responsibility to yourself.

And everywhere you drip oil all over.

Lets say you just had a gasket thrown at it, and a sender.

Cheap, right ?

Except it is a VW. make sure your parts are right and for the right make, model, year, and engine size.

I go thru this with my german built car,

Autohaus.

Your needs depend on your actual model, and anything different about it.

Answer 4

Generally on late model European cars to replace the valve cover gasket is going to be around 3 to 5 labor hours at $110 per hour and the parts and shop supplies are going to run between $50 to $120. In my opinion VW's products including Audi's are money sinks due the the cost of parts and the special tools needed to work on them. The bigger issue is the person you are purchasing the car from most likely did not to the required maintenance after the warranty period on the car was over. A heads up owner changes the oil, transmission, power steering and brake fluids on a regular regular basis. They also don't let leaks go unchecked and not repair them. Sadly many shops don't offer to do this items as an upsell for the customer. I have bleed brown burned brake fluid from BMW's, Mercedes' and VW's and that was causing a 10% to 20% impairment in brake response that had gone thru several sets of rotors and pads and cause the steering to pull during braking.

Answer 5

Valve cover gaskets are a minor repair. Your problem will be the exhaust system. A 1999 VW is ripe for needing exhaust work including the front flex pipe that is part of the converter. VW's are one of the few vehicles that must use factory converters. After market converters including Walker brand converters fit but the CEL will still come on and you won't pass emission testing. The converter with front pipe was over $600 my cost. Add labor and tax and you've got an $800 to $900 bill and that's just for the front pipe and converter. Figure $1,200 for the complete exhaust system installed. Take a pass on VW's.

Answer 6

If the oil leak is from cranckshaft - it's major (not At All on VWs though)

VWs & most European cars do this alot & seals must be replaced .. I'd say 1ce/50000 miles - but cost Very Very little.

NOTE : Make sure there's no water in the oil, or no oil in the anti-freeze !!!

You are making Best decision buying a VW.

Bring the price down As Much as you can - let him know it needs Alot of repairs

Answer 7

by the owner who says there is a minor oil leak and it needs a valve cover gasket... how many times do I hear this on YA, he said. Then the next question is he said, now this car has all these problems, what can I do? Have the car checked by a mechanic and at that time he will tell you what is wrong and should be able to give you a price for repairs.

Answer 8

Most valve cover gaskets are fairly easy to replace. Rear crankshaft oil seals are hard to replace. If it's a rear seal, use pizza boxes under the car for the few drops it will lose in the driveway. Even expensive cars commonly leak oil at the rear seal and the problem is trivial.

Answer 9

One of the rules of life: If you are not sure, don't do it. Have this car go through a Triple A diagnostic test at a certified auto mechanic shop. Have the mechanic on duty take a look at the oil leak and advise you of your options, on what the repair cost is, and how you feel about investing in a car like this.

Answer 10

No. The owner does not really know how bad the leak may be. The car may go for years or it could need a $3000 repair a week after you get it. There are plenty of used cars out there without leaks that you need not even think of this one.

Answer 11

I would stay away from this car with a minor oil leak. Passat's do not have a good repair record and this car will likely cost you too much to keep running.

Answer 12

For anyone other than an experienced mechanic it is a good idea to have a professional take a look at it. Take it to a reputable garage and tell them about it. You should have them put it on the hoist and check the whole car for any defects. This you should be able to get done for a $100 or less. Not only will he be able to verify your concerns but if he spots any other problems you can use them for bargaining chips on the asking price. The peace of mind alone should be worth the cost.

Answer 13

If the seller was trying to hide something they would have never shared the minor oil leak with you. Just buy the car and buy a few $ 2.00 quarts of oil to carry in the trunk. You are buying a cheap used car not a Stradivarius Violin .

Answer 14

Do not trust the seller. he may not even really KNOW where the leak is, and he wants to get rid of the car, so he says valve cover gasket to make it sound like an easy fix.



Have a mechanic check it for you.

Answer 15

There is no such thing as a "minor" oil leak. If it was a minor repair the owner would have done it himself prior to swelling the car. That way he could advertise it as in excellent condition instead of making excuses for it.

Answer 16

Hello,

Try to identify the type of oil leak. Take that car to the mechanic to check it properly that if there is any risk to buy that car and can this defect be fixed.



Regards

Answer 17

ALL VW/AUDI cars require ONLY a special type of EUROPEAN synthetic oil ONLY that bears the spec numbers 502 and 505! If VALVOLINE was ever used expect to get a full MOTOR CLEANSING DONE to remove ALL the SLUDGE and tar baking into it! THe answer is, if you are a DIY person, next to NOTHING! You can expect about 350k miles and MORE from ANY VW if the RULES are followed NOW! THe gaskets are about $20 or so, and it takes about 20-30 minutes to repair it! A simple set of HAND TOOLS does the job! I RECOMMEND that when you remove the valve covers to use AMSOIL POWER FOAM to rid the covers and revealed engine parts of all the old baked in GRUNGE tar and wax deposits therein! You can DRIVE the car clean using PENNZOIL ULTRA EURO that carries a 15 year 500k mile OIL WARRANTY! DO NOT LET ANYONE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOU HERE! You're BEST OFF taking to a REAL EUROPEAN CAR REPAIR SHOP that will use ONLY the appropriate GERMAN SYNTHETIC OILS and fluids in it! MOSt VW/AUDI and other EURO cars get RUINED by oil change centers unknowingly! The VW/AUDI engiens wil NEVER LEAK if only the RIGHT oils were used in them as it protects seals and gaskets from aging and failing! THere are ONLY a handful of OILS you can use here! MOBIL ONE 0W-40, TOTAL ENERGY OIL from France, AMSOIL, And the REAL EURO OILS< PENTOSYNTH and RAVENOL! These REAL Euro oils are good for TWO FULL YEARS! AMSOIL is good for 25k miles o ONE FULL YEAR! NEVER trust a person that ONLY works on GM cars, cause they will RUIN it for you! NO PRESTONE coolant may be used EITHER in this thing! ALL VW/AUDI fluids have been UPGRADED to new numbers, like the Pentosin 202 steering fluid, and VIOLET coolant from Pentosin as well! If VALVOLINE or other WAX BASED cheap junk oils were EVER used, it will interfere with the OIL SPRAY JETS that keep the piston skirts and wrist pins CLEAN and doing their job, reducing FRICTION and allowing HIGHER engine speeds! If this is the VR^< you will NEVER need a timing belt, ! IF NOT and it is a TURBO engine, you WILL need to change the timing belt with a special kit at 100k mil intervals!! IF ti is a TURBO engine you may need to desludge the TURBO oil feed and return lines! This is MY specialty! If you are near MICHIGAN< I would be happy to do this for you for a FEE! I LOVE the VW/AUDI cars, and know them like you know your field of study! WHen eh wrong oils are used, the gaskets WILL LEAK< like this one is doing NOW! Have the TECH check the CRANKCASE VENTILATION SYSTEM as well, because the use of WAX BASED OIL will dissolve the parts here! There is NO PCV valve on EUROPEAN car engines, only a set of HOSES and counter valves that can RUPTURE from the use of improper oils and fluids! IT is a KEEPER CAR< but only if YOu do the homework, on it! You can use MY E-mail as a source for repair if you need it! DO NOT BE AFRAID OF THIS CAR if the price is right! It WILL outlast most other cars by TEN or more years of use! They do NOT rust typically, but consider a good used AUDI instead! They will NEVER RUST and are a bit higher on the automotive food chain! . RAVENOL is the BEST you can use, but be CERTAIN that you change ALL the fluids,even the BRAKE FLUID< with only GENUINE VW or EUROPEAN SPEC fluids! BYE NOW! You Can SAFELY use up to THREE CANS of AMSOIL POWER FOAM to UNDO any grunge, tar and sludge created by the former owners lack of car savvy! GOOD LUCK!!

Answer 18

Run away. Any VW is a piece of junk that starts falling apart after 5 years. That's on top of running away from cars with engine and transmission issues.

Answer 19

How much is wanted for the car, where the leak is located and if you think you can afford any down the road repairs will all factor in your decision.

Answer 20

No, better get one that doesn't leak oil. Small leaks can easily become big and expensive repairs.

Answer 21

depends on what is leaking, if it's the seal then NOOOOO if it's leaking around the oila pan then yes. That is easy to fix...

Answer 22

No a cracked gasket is a big deal. Plus you want to know where the oil is coming from

Answer 23

only if you plan on having the car for a short time and keep checking the oil levels

Answer 24

Have the vehicle inspected by a mechanic. Something small could turn into something big. Also, if you have a OBDII scan tool, use it to check the emission & fuel system. OBDII scan tools can be used to turn off the check engine light.

Answer 25

most vws leak oil, that is a fact of life really. buy it and take it to a shop to get it looked at. they were designed in a colder climate. that is a factor.

Answer 26

yes, you can buy a car with a minor leakage. that leakage can be fixed later. but you have to give more attention to the vehicle condition and performance.

Answer 27

It may be more serious than the owner thinks (or is disclosing) and it may not be the only problem. Have the car inspected by a mechanic.

Answer 28

Definitely not. It's not safe ť

Answer 29

if you really need the car then go for it, but if its something you can wait on to get a better well prepared car then be patient and get yourself something to maneuver without worry

Answer 30

I certainly wouldn't.

Answer 31

Nope.

Answer 32

No should not prefer if its repairable must be repaired earlier ,

Answer 33

leak dsssssssssss

Answer 34

depends where the leak is really

Answer 35

good signs to buy

Answer 36

Probably not

Answer 37

kldf

Answer 38

No

Answer 39

no, more trouble maintaining it.

Answer 40

no

Answer 41

no

Answer 42

no

Answer 43

no

Answer 44

No!

Answer 45

if its german no

Answer 46

no, no no.

Answer 47

NO