Learn me: 2012 Volkswagen Sportswagon Jetta TDI

Just got back from vacation and I was catching up with my parents. Apparently, the idler pulley on their 2002 Jetta Wagon TDI  finally failed after me telling them to replace it for the past year. They were on their way to go look at a 2012 Jetta Sportswagon with a manual transmission as we spoke. I tried to talk them out of it but I guess they pulled the trigger.

Its this car:

https://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/ctd/d/2012-volkswagen-jetta-tdi/6590497946.html

I don't know if they even ran the VIN on it. Without knowing what prior maintenance was done/recall info.....what should I be on the lookout for on this thing? Any recommendations?

Based on my personal experience, most cars that get to these smaller dealerships come from the auto auction. In my approx 6 years working at a dealership, the only cars that went to the auction were ones that had something obviously wrong with them or during inspection of a “nice” car, they find the repairs needed to put it on the lot will cost too much. Point is, the chances of a fantastic perfect car being sent to auction and put on a small lot are slim. Sure, it probably happens. Im thinking if this car was tip top, it would have been sold on the lot it was traded in on or send to a VW dealership to be sold. 

Not saying its the case all the time, but thats my experience. I saw a few “nice” cars get a bunch of marvel mystery oil put in them to hide knocks and engine noise to get them sold at auction for more $$. 

Also it looks like those pics have been photoshopped or filtered/touched up. Thats a huge red flag for me. 

Hopefully its a nice ride and maybe just the mileage scared people. If its in good shape the 100k shouldnt bother it too much. I would mainly be worried its a flood car being passed off as good. 

I would also a question a TDI that runs "Gas"

I know, I'm definitely in the camp where I wish they didn't buy it. Or at least give me a couple days to search for them/do research. But the deal is done. 

Anyone have a carfax account?

Had an '09 sedan that we put 101K miles on it before it was totaled, replaced it with a '14 Sportwagen that we sold back to VW during the Dieselgate debacle, have a '15 TDI Golf currently.

Loved the first 2 cars, and like the Golf as well, just miss the cargo space of the wagon.  They've all been reliable, and efficient.  I wouldn't be too worried.  It needs VW Spec low sulfur oil to keep the diesel particulate filter happy, I've ran Mobil 1 ESP in all of ours.  Timing belt is due at 120K miles.

Call the dealer and have them check the VIN for recalls, if it hasn't has the stage 1 efficiency reprogramming done yet they'll want to get that done.  Made no noticeable difference to performance on ours.  You are required to do the stage 1 recall before they'll do the stage 2, we just got the letter in the mail for stage 2 recently.  Stage 2 replaces a lot of exhaust, DEF, and related stuff, and extends the warranty on the emissions equipment.

Call your folks and say 'nice car'.

The buyout money has almost certainly been sucked from that one but they are still great cars.  I still regret giving mine back but the offer from VW was too good to refuse.