Sick Boy
Super Moderator
That'd be brillaint!
Take a gander on eBay or shop windows or supermarkets etc. Many a bargain to be had and if you see one you like they tend to be private owners and will accommodate you reference history and what money they have spent on it over the years.
Might do a write up on here for everyone from my 30 years experience if that's ok? Just tips on what to look out for and how to avoid rogue traders etc.
Thanks.....Searching for one now !If you want a cheap to run car, and low insurance, I have a VW Polo, 1.4 Diesel and would recommend it
£30 a year tax, and insurance is pretty good for my age.
Also, cost about £30-35 in diesel to drive from Bournemouth to Newcastle
Hmmm heard good things about the petrol models and one in ten cars on the road seem to be an focus so thought they can't be that bad !! Taking your advice on board tho....My last car was a Ford Focus. I had it from new for three years and when I got rid, it had only done 9584 miles. Biggest heap of shit I've ever had. I would NEVER have another Ford! I now drive a new Skoda Yeti. Fantastic car!
The so-called "voice-controlled" thing never worked properly. I would spend ages trying to get it to do what I wanted i.e. play a track off a USB or CD or use the hands-free phone, but it never worked right.Hmmm heard good things about the petrol models and one in ten cars on the road seem to be an focus so thought they can't be that bad !! Taking your advice on board tho....
Does it work properly on *any* car more than a couple of years old?The so-called "voice-controlled" thing never worked properly.
Hmmm heard good things about the petrol models and one in ten cars on the road seem to be an focus so thought they can't be that bad !! Taking your advice on board tho....
Always end up arguing with it.
That, does not surprise me in the slightest.... :happy:
Thanks and have been warned about the timing belt etc..........not cheap !!To be honest, the older diesel Ford's are bulletproof - the Endura engine is a peerless 'go all day' engine. I've had two diesel Focuses, one Y-reg and one 04 plate, both were workhorses and rarely let me down. Saying that, my latest Focus is off the road with a major PS/Crankshaft obliteration issue...
If you want a workhorse of a car, get a diesel Ford. Make sure the timing belt, PS belt and drivebelt are all in order though, seriously.
Thanks and have been warned about the timing belt etc..........not cheap !!
Right I will try and be brief......
1. Do your home work on faults etc and if you use a local garage ask their advise as they will be the people looking after it for you.
2. If you buy privately beware of "Rogue" traders masquerading as private individuals. When you find a car of interest always ask "Is the car still for sale?" If the reply is "which one" put the phone down. If you do call a private seller they tend to be a little nervous or apprehensive but want to show the car in the best light. Thats a natural reaction as its something they dont normally do.
3. Ask about service history, how long have they had the car, has the cam belt been done and how many keys do they have with the car. (Replacement keys and cambelts are very expensive so if the answer is no bear that factor in before making an offer or even seeing the car.
4. Check the V5 document for how many owners and make sure the car is in their name. If you get the story that the cars too big or too fast dor the Mrs etc alarm bells should ring as the car might have an underlying fault and they want to get rid. Cars with an owner for over 2-3 years tends to be good bet. Just ask them why they are selling it. If they um and err again this might be due to a fault on the car they do not wish to address.
5. Meet the seller at a private address not a pub carpark etc as you have a comeback if you get any problems. If you meet at a house and they dont invite you in and it looks like no one is in ask to use the toilet!
6. Turning up to see a car thats either sat running on the drive just walk away this usually means its hard to start, sounds like a bag of nails when cold or the battery is knackered.
7 .A clean car is good much better than a filthy one as it gives an indication its been looked after but in the same sense if its been valeted within an inch of its life ask yourself why?
8. Takesome one who knows about cars and go on a test drive for at least ten mins just to get the feel and keep the radio off and heater on number 1 (these running in the background stop certain noises coming to your attention!)
9. When you arrive back check for any oil around the engine or any strange smells such as burning oil, antifreeze or binding brakes or clutch etc. And press every button in the car to check they work!
10. Dont insult the buyer on their price, make a sensible offer as a very low bid will antagonise the seller and lessen the chance of them being reasonable.
11. Before you buy the car pay for a HPI check to make sure its not stolen, been written off or have any outstanding finance.
12. Try not to view cars in the rain as its wonderfull for hiding scatches and minor dings and avoid under lights at garage forecourts at night too the same principle applies. Also feel the carpets for dampness or if all the windows are steamed up when you come to see the car could indicate water ingress in the car which is a real pain to cure and will develop in to a mouldy interior that sometimes will never be eradicated.
Check for accident damage in the boot area and any misaligned panels or panles out a shade or two to the next one meaning its been in an accident. An honest owner will tell you if they had a minor bump without having anything to hide when asked.
13. Finally if you like the car do try to bring someone who has some mechanical knowledge as 4 eyes are better than two and check the service history thoroughly and before you buy the car just go online to motinfo.gov and check the Mot history on the car to see that its not a horror story of faults or there are any advisories from the last Mot that will need addressing in the next few months.
Hope this is just a little help.
PUSB
Thank you....some great tips.Right I will try and be brief......
1. Do your home work on faults etc and if you use a local garage ask their advise as they will be the people looking after it for you.
2. If you buy privately beware of "Rogue" traders masquerading as private individuals. When you find a car of interest always ask "Is the car still for sale?" If the reply is "which one" put the phone down. If you do call a private seller they tend to be a little nervous or apprehensive but want to show the car in the best light. Thats a natural reaction as its something they dont normally do.
3. Ask about service history, how long have they had the car, has the cam belt been done and how many keys do they have with the car. (Replacement keys and cambelts are very expensive so if the answer is no bear that factor in before making an offer or even seeing the car.
4. Check the V5 document for how many owners and make sure the car is in their name. If you get the story that the cars too big or too fast dor the Mrs etc alarm bells should ring as the car might have an underlying fault and they want to get rid. Cars with an owner for over 2-3 years tends to be good bet. Just ask them why they are selling it. If they um and err again this might be due to a fault on the car they do not wish to address.
5. Meet the seller at a private address not a pub carpark etc as you have a comeback if you get any problems. If you meet at a house and they dont invite you in and it looks like no one is in ask to use the toilet!
6. Turning up to see a car thats either sat running on the drive just walk away this usually means its hard to start, sounds like a bag of nails when cold or the battery is knackered.
7 .A clean car is good much better than a filthy one as it gives an indication its been looked after but in the same sense if its been valeted within an inch of its life ask yourself why?
8. Takesome one who knows about cars and go on a test drive for at least ten mins just to get the feel and keep the radio off and heater on number 1 (these running in the background stop certain noises coming to your attention!)
9. When you arrive back check for any oil around the engine or any strange smells such as burning oil, antifreeze or binding brakes or clutch etc. And press every button in the car to check they work!
10. Dont insult the buyer on their price, make a sensible offer as a very low bid will antagonise the seller and lessen the chance of them being reasonable.
11. Before you buy the car pay for a HPI check to make sure its not stolen, been written off or have any outstanding finance.
12. Try not to view cars in the rain as its wonderfull for hiding scatches and minor dings and avoid under lights at garage forecourts at night too the same principle applies. Also feel the carpets for dampness or if all the windows are steamed up when you come to see the car could indicate water ingress in the car which is a real pain to cure and will develop in to a mouldy interior that sometimes will never be eradicated.
Check for accident damage in the boot area and any misaligned panels or panles out a shade or two to the next one meaning its been in an accident. An honest owner will tell you if they had a minor bump without having anything to hide when asked.
13. Finally if you like the car do try to bring someone who has some mechanical knowledge as 4 eyes are better than two and check the service history thoroughly and before you buy the car just go online to motinfo.gov and check the Mot history on the car to see that its not a horror story of faults or there are any advisories from the last Mot that will need addressing in the next few months.
Hope this is just a little help.
PUSB
If you need any help just ask I'm willing to come and take a butchers or even give you the nod on a car you see advertised too. An ad can tell a story to a trained eye.
I also have a wealth of experience with car problems and know plenty of people who can Mot or service your car who collect and quote before doing any work needed.
Hello COAB, as you seem to be in the trade can I ask for your opinion on which VW Polo to get? My wife no longer needs her XC70 to tow the horse trailer so we are going to sell it and replace it with a Polo (if anyone is interested in a 2005 153,000 mile 185bhp manual XC70 PM me!!). We are looking at spending up to £4000 and I was thinking of the 1.2 or 1.4 petrol as cheap to tax/run but I saw the BluEmotion can be no tax and high mpg. I am worried about buying something with too many technical gizmos in it that can invariably go wrong and cost a fortune to fix. Any advice would be welcomeIf you need any help just ask I'm willing to come and take a butchers or even give you the nod on a car you see advertised too. An ad can tell a story to a trained eye.
I also have a wealth of experience with car problems and know plenty of people who can Mot or service your car who collect and quote before doing any work needed.
I'd have to say either a VW POLO or a VW LUPO - Super cheap to buy and insure, yet will last a blinking lifetime!
Erm, that's what he said?
Ey? I saw mention of a Polo but not a Lupo, they're both solid, solid options for a youngen to get on the road. Recommendations were wanted, recommendations were given...
He asked which VW Polo to get?
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