Imported Volkswagen T4 Westfalia Frequently Asked Questions

How do you know the number of previous owners?

The original German logbook – fahrzeugbrief, lists the number of previous owners and their date of birth. The latter will give some indication of the type of user by reference to age. In around 2007 the old brief was replaced with a European document that does not show this information. If it is beneficial for the seller to show the vehicle has had only one owner, the seller will usually take a copy of the original brief and pass it on with the car. If this is not available it is likely that the vehicle has had more than one owner.

Service history / mileage guarantee?

If you browse the online German market place i.e. www.mobile.de you will see many cars have covered very high km’s. It is not unusual to see cars with 300,000 plus km’s. Mileage can be verified by viewing the previous TUV certificates – a two year test similar to our MOT or by requesting the VW service history print out i.e. if the vehicle has been serviced by a V.A.G Main dealer, the itemised servicing showing each service and the date on that service is recorded on the VW Main dealer database. Unfortunately a stamped service book is not always a genuine mileage guarantee and we have recently seen a number of vehicles that have huge mileage discrepancies. These vehicles are capable of higher mileage but this should be reflected in the asking price. If in doubt our advice is to always check the mileage.

D.V.L.A. Import law

Vehicles being registered and driven in the UK according to DVLA law should have right hand drive headlights, mph speedo reading night and day and the rear fog lamp fitted on the correct side.

VW Westfalia Buying Tips

Leisure Batteries

Westfalia fit a dry gel battery that has a very slow discharge. Early 91-96 models if fitted with a diesel heater have two SL80 sonnenschein batteries. Later TDI models with a heater have a SL135. These batteries usually have an approx. 10 year life span, the central display above the rear view mirror show the voltage level in the batteries. The batteries charge while the engine is running and also while plugged in to the mains. A quick test - a charged battery should enable the heater operation without the engine or mains charge connected. Replacement genuine batteries are expensive £250 each for SL80 & £350 SL135

Cambelt Service

Zahnriemen – cambelt in German. Important service to be carried out, there are two belts, one at the flywheel wheel, the other at the fuel pump. You should check these have been replaced at the correct service interval.

For more information visit our 'Volkswagen T4' page.