car was started and a few cold rattles soon disapeared, which resulted in a smooth sounding running car.

had a chat and found there was no service history, so phoned the dealers and discovered last VW service was end 2005 with 27K on the clock. 2 owners from new on the log.

high pitched tone started coming from the near alternator, (i think that was it anyway) brake system and ( ! ) was flashing constantly, guy said it was because the battery went dead.

the guy left me and my mate talking, after 10 mins i looked down at my feet then under the engine and and found green coloured oil running towards my feet (car was on a incline). found the oil/liquid was coming from a part kinda behind the passenger wheel. and so we left. oh and the oil was really clear and looked brand new. is this the gearbox? Oil was clear green colour

never told the guy so next people who go and look will see not everything is as it seems.

please can anyone shed any light on what these problems might be and how much they would cost to put put right?

Edited 8 September, 200818 yr by ne_phil

cold rattles are usually quite normal, as long as they go rather quickly, and arent loud. i get the high pitched tone in mine every now and then, but it has always just been a noise, and nothing else, cant see it being a big problem, maybe a bearing in the alternator. i dont know about the brake signal.

i just wouldnt buy a car that wee's on my feet to be honest. the garage know about it, it must be a big job or they would have done it.

basically mate, after buying mine all i can say is, dont rush into buying one. make sure it aint leaking, ticks over nice, and more importantly, the gearbox feels ok, and it has minimal rust.

there will be one out there, you just need to be patient