I'm looking at buying a Sony MDP-V1 laserdisc player (found one for a great price) but I haven't been able to find any information on it. I know it is a PAL/NTSC model but not much else.

laserdiscarchive only has the following to say:
Video CD Features
Dolby AC-3 RF Output Terminal
Advanced C-Quick Reverse

Does anyone know anything about it or know any good websites to check(I'm still kind of new to LDs)?

Sony LD players are generally good to AVOID.

Reportedly they all have an issue where the picture will become dark and grainy and there is no fix for it.

I had a Sony MDP-A3, and this exact thing happened to it.

This MDP-V series, with AC-3 output, has been reported to be considerably better than the usual Sony US consumer player, & has been recommended strongly by some.

If this model had that sort of problem do you reckon it would have manifested by now?
So if I test it and it's fine do you reckon it would be ok?

Yeah. From the looks of the SM it should be pretty close to the LX-600, it has the same TBC chip. I think earlier Sony's used Panasonic's first-gen chip ala 200/1000.

edit: It also looks like many if not all MDP's share the same pickup.

Missed that specific model some years ago. it was a leftover from a store that closed down. MDP-V1 looked very

same seller offered me an MDP-V9K (karaoke) mint sealed in the box. I refused since they had the Sony logo

I regret not buying those since i would have liked to own a sony player that actually works. They have a very modern look IMHO
All audio ac-3 & dts onboard I suppose it would have been fine players.

The seller only asked 125 euro a piece for a brand new player . Those don't come around that often.

I guess possible spare parts would be a problem sooner or later. it's not like sony has decent support. I've had bad luck with them.

Drawer issues come to mind with the mdp series.... owned many models before going from the mdp-333 upto the beautiful mdp-740D that had a nice picture btw.
I loved the look of that player.

anyway,
I should have bought them