***** I just found out that this car has a salvage title, which sounds like a big pain in the butt here in Georgia. I've got to look into that more, but it might not even be possible to get it a "restored (salvage)" here.....
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I’m looking at a 2010 A4 Quattro (automatic) that is for sale for $1800 OBO. It is from a private party, and I don't think they've put much energy into advertising it. I’ve done some pretty in-depth work on A4s, VWs, and Hondas over the years, and the idea would be that I would try to do all the work myself, barring something like machining, etc. I love A4s and the AWD part. I prefer stick, but those seem pretty hard to find.

It has 130k miles. The motor was “rebuilt” about 10k miles ago by the owner’s father. Obviously, I’m going to need to find out what was allegedly done to the motor, and see if I can verify his work on that.

It is not running, or even starting at this point. The owner (NOT a mechanic) says she thinks it’s a starter or alternator problem. If one or the other is the problem, that wouldn’t be a big fix. But I’m guessing its not that simple.

My ideas: Verify title and Carfax too. The car came from up north, so a good inspection for corrosion, along with a general look around underneath for anything obvious that might need replacing. Checking the oil condition (very old? Very NEW?), and looking for contamination in the oil. Making sure there is coolant in the cooling system.

-I’ll bring along a good battery to swap in, and see at least how it looks with just the ignition on, maybe check for codes, and hit the starter to see if anything at all happens. (The owner says that it doesn’t start or even “click” right now.) I’m betting there are also bigger fuses for some things related to the starter. I can bring the fuse schematics and a multimeter for all that.

Maybe I can “jump” a cable straight on to the starter motor (past the solenoid) to see if I can get it to turn over that way? If so, I might at least be able to see if it sounds “normal” when turning over and maybe get a compression check which might show if there are obvious issues with the motor… If that doesn’t work, how about just putting a wrench on the front of the crankshaft and seeing if it seems to turn over normally? I might take off the top timing belt cover to verify that it looks like its functioning normally too. If it’s maybe a broken timing belt and a few valves to replace, I could also handle that.

I’m not sure what to check on the automatic transmission of a non-running car. I’m guessing that one could check for fluid level/condition? Are there any reliability issues in general with those transmissions? (6 speed? Automatic)

What do you folks think? What am I missing here? I could use some informed opinions!

Thanks!

 

Yeah I would say it's best to check the fuses first, won't jump start if anything serious is blown there. Also you could try to use a portable jump starter to get the engine going, helped me during winter in the past a couple of times already! It's a lot easyer to do than use another car as well... Or grab a cheap car battery tester first, it can tell you what/if there is a problem with it, before you spend a lot of money on a new battery.

And definetely check for codes, those can usually reveal something hidden that could cost you a lot. Perhaps one of the electrical problems stem from rodents chewing the wiring? and as for the fluids, good idea to test the condition of those, tells a lot about general maintenance as well in most cases.

 

12-yo Audis can be troublesome on their own. Add in a rebuilt engine that does not run, and a salvage title, and I would run (not walk) from this car. But if you inspect it, look for sand under the trunk lining and under carpet. Make sure it was not a flood car.