[Closed] Secondhand car buying newbie. Advice please (aspiring middle class content)

the petrol/diesel debate really hangs on your anticipated mileage and type of driving.

Unless doing many miles commuting - 15000 + a year- on balance second hand petrol engined cars have many advantages.
They tend to be cheaper than a diesel equivalent, they don't have the dreaded DPF issues nor as many problems with Dual Mass Flywheels. Lots of short journeys tend to make these much more likely so a higher mileage diesel car that has been driven on the motorway a lot will be a much better bet than a low mileage diesel used for pottering round town. the same can apply to petrols but is less of an issue in most cases. Petrols can have problems with ignition coils for example, especially VAG models apparently

A well looked after petrol model including those with a reasonably high mileage but well maintained would be my option.

in terms of servicing, look for regular visits and for higher mileage vehicles look for things like cam belt changes and brake fluid changes

Sorry I forgot to mention that my mileage isn't huge, perhaps up to 10k a year at a push

Petrol then.

the only downside is the extra fuel fuel costs and perhaps Vehicle Excise Duty, but this pales into insignificance compared to depreciation even at that price point - a diesel will cost more to buy and it takes a lot of diesel miles to make up the difference.
Oh, and modern diesels can be nicer to drive than petrol equivalents in terms of low down torque

Thanks, petrol it is then. That's one question sorted

Can you stretch to a 325 or 330 petrol?

Better IMO.

Or why not a V70? 8)

See my budget. As much as I'd like moar power, I need to be sensible

Newer, more miles, petrol.

If you can live without the status of a German badge, then a Mondeo, Focus or an Octavia (don't worry those are also middle class cars loved by STWers) instead - you'll get something newer with less miles for your money and they're just as reliable. Depending on how big you want - people seem to think a 3 series is the same size as a Mondeo, but it's actually more Octavia or Focus.

Hi,

You want to see:
Regular servicing, as per the manufacturer's schedule,
Check the MOT website to see that the mileage is kosher,
I prefer a private sale, one owner. Then you know who the user has been. Also less likely to be clocked,
The website has pretty much anything you need to know;

[url= http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/ ]Honest John.[/url]

Don't buy the first one you look at,
Read up on negotiating before you go in. DON'T pay the sticker price,
If you have a car to get rid of, ebay.

Good luck

Alex

Is this for all the wee'uns?

Anyway, I hate to be sensible and give the STW answer, but you really ought to get a Skoda Octavia. It will be better value than a BMW, with a newer and lower miles car for the same money and cheaper spares. Given you are coming from a Micra I know you don't care about image but even the middle classes drive Skodas now.

DC had a V70 and it was a bit of a money pit.

Here is one with all the toys.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2008-Skoda-Octavia-1-8-TFSI-Laurin-and-Klement-5dr-/291639551951?hash=item43e71267cf:g:BOQAAOSw5dNWkR6i

And here is a fast one

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201510157828872?model=octavia&radius=70&body-type=estate&page=1&fuel-type=petrol&sort=default&postcode=NG16%203SB&onesearchad=used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew&search-target=usedcars&price-to=6000&price-from=4000&make=skoda&logcode=p

bit cheaper than your budget, but if youre happy to go octavia, ill be selling a 57 laurin and klement 2.0 turbo diesel (no DPF), 107,000 for £3500 as soon as i find a car for my wife.

As well as some sort of "HPI" check (when everything else checks out and you are about to buy) do an MOT history check early on. It's free and you can check the mileage and the fails and advisories for a car. It is a good way of gauging how well it has been looked after.

eg lots of fails for worn out/damaged tyres would say to me that the car has not been well looked after. Rust will be mentioned if near a suspension, body or towbar mount and other things like exhaust corrosion and windscreen damage.

It will also show you some parts that have been replaced so you have an idea if anything may not be due for a while (eg suspension)

Just get one of these

[IMG] [/IMG]

[quote=Houns ]have been looking at German estates (obviously because I want to appear middle class ) as know from the odd thread on here that they're meant to be fairly good

I'll just leave this here

http://www.reliabilityindex.com/manufacturer

Ah yes modern VAG cars 😆

What about a Honda Accord estate 2l petrol? Not quite 'premium' but different and built to last

Our neighbour had one that had done 180000 by the time they sold it having bought it at 45000 and apart from an issue with the electric tailgate intermittently draining the battery in the last 10 months or so, was boringly reliable

jimw is probably right there. Accords are good. Mazda 6 estates are too, and better to drive if that matters. Both are very good at petrol engines so may be easier to find in that format. Both are huge inside compared to a 3 series too.

Do you have anyone near you who knows a fair bit about cars that could come with you?

Thanks all so far, some good options.

Munro I've been looking at those just now, came on here and found you linked them, very nice indeed!

I'm in a similar boat. I have had 2 Octavias previously and I cannot get over how much the new ones hold their value now. Modern eco diesels are ticking time bombs for short journeys by the looks of things, so personally I would avoid them. What about a Roomster? boring, quirky/ugly but spacious.

I never thought I'd say it, but I've been hankering after a BMW recently. Mainly for the straight 6 and RWD. Definitely not a 318i, though I've never driven one so maybe I can be told otherwise.

Something like the 325i seems a nice drivers choice. Somewhere roughly sensible between completely dull and completely stupid.

A bit of research tells me that they have a fair few gremlins though, and need looking after.

Also just looking at Subarus

Blimey, so much choice

Been to look at a VRs, also went to look at that L+K as it was down the road but it had been reserved, which one of you was it? 😡

52-07 reg Mondeo petrol estate. Size wise, spot on. Not enough torque to ingest their own DMF's. Any garage can fix them, usually cheaply. The estate doesn't have the sub frame bush gremlins of the hatch. New discs & pads all round for £70, (try that on a 535 Beemer).

I'm just about to scrap our 52 plate, albeit it's a diesel on 180k. (DMF failure, not worth chucking £600 at a £300 car). But, it's towed the caravan & hauled bikes about all over, , It's & given us 50k miles with little more than consumables thrown at it. I think it had a battery a few years ago.

Obviously, way below your budget so spend the rest on loose wonen.

Ok I've been an checked out a Octavia II 2.0 TFSI vRS estate, 07 plate with 80k on the clock. Going back to drive it on Sunday

My questions for you all:

What specifically should I be looking for in the service history?
Anything in particular I should be wary of?

I've done a VOSA check and it has brought back this:

MOT history of this vehicle
Test date23 June 2015 Expiry date28 June 2016 Test ResultPass Odometer reading80,069 miles MOT test Advisory notice item(s)
rear brake discs worn and lipped
handbrake lever has a lot of travel

Test date17 June 2014 Expiry date28 June 2015 Test ResultPass Odometer reading72,972 miles MOT t Advisory notice item(s)
front brake discs worn and lipped on inner face
both front tyres wearing in centre of tread
some play in offside front lower wish bone rear mounting bush
nearside front wheel tight to turn
offside rear tyre very perished and splitting in tread area and on shoulders
nearside rear tyre abnormally worn

Test date14 June 2013 Expiry date28 June 2014 Test ResultPass Odometer reading60,132 miles MOT Advisory notice item(s)
offside rear tyre perished and splitting in tread area
nearside front c v boot appears to have a slight leak

Test date14 June 2013 Test ResultFail Odometer reading60,130 miles MOT Reason(s) for failure
Nearside Front Tyre has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)
Advisory notice item(s)
offside front tyre worn and bold on inner edge
offside rear tyre perished and splitting in tread area
nearside front c v boot appears to have a slight leak

Test date12 June 2012 Expiry date28 June 2013 Test ResultPass Odometer reading45,423 miles MOT

Test date23 June 2011 Expiry date28 June 2012 Test ResultPass Odometer reading28,695 miles MOT

Test date8 June 2010 Expiry date28 June 2011 Test ResultPass Odometer reading16,163 miles MOT test number31985 0 Advisory notice item(s)
nearside front tyre wall cut (requires attention)

Test date8 June 2010 Test ResultFail Odometer reading16,163 miles MOT test number1310 1945 0138 Reason(s) for failure
Offside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)
Advisory notice item(s)
nearside front tyre wall cut (requires attention)

Would you buy this? The MOT notes re the tyres and seeing that the alloys aren't in great condition suggests that the previous (1 owner) liked kerbs. The rest of the exterior and interior looks great.

How can I ensure that all advisories from MOT have been done?

I believe this one has a timing chain

The car is at a small independent secondhand dealer.

Thanks in advance for your help.

I dunno...all the tyre stuff suggests to me that it spent a few years being driven by someone who wasn't really too worried about driving on dodgy ones.

(I'm no second hand car expert though...how much is one of those going for these days?)

I agree... Doesn't sound like somebody who has been keen to maintain the car very well

Back to original question... You can often get better value looking at larger cars. I was recently looking at getting a focus estate, but it turns out that the mondeo has better specs (cruise as standard for example), and the prices are comparable.

So the car has done 16,000miles in 3yrs?

I work 400m's from home and I still do 12,000-15,000 a year. Then again it could be a retired couple who just wanted a mass market performance car to pop to the shops in..

Who was the first owner, can you see the V5?

When it comes to cars I'm very sceptical. I went to see a 17,000miler 5yr old Jazz and the drivers matt needed changing and the elbow part of the door cards etc (to me) pointed to ex learner. It also had warnings (not linking this to your vosa though) on worn tyres on both its MOT's which further led me to believe it indicated 2xnew fronts a year with such little mileage covered as backing up my fear.

This was from a Honda main dealer too.

Here's my bit, and I've bought some sheds in my time.

1) Have a look at the seats, are they worn on the edges indicating a lot if getting in and out. A good indication if the car has been used on long journeys or lots of short ones.
2) use reverse gear. Sound daft but I didn't, ended up having a knackered gear box and wouldn't stay in reverse(£600)
3) check under the floor mats. The carpet in mine was ripped and holed all over the place. The dealer had hidden it all with a paper mat. I noticed when I got home,

I hate buying second hand cars

Second the accord petrol. Engines go on forever, lovely go drive even though the 2.0 is a little bit underpowered. Much preferred my old accord to my year old s-max

When it comes to cars I'm very sceptical.

Paranoid and delusional is the description I think you are looking for 🙄 😆

8)

It sounds like normal wear and tear stuff that's gone. I think the majority of non-car people aren't especially careful about tyres. DC has a Volvo V60 that is only just of MOT age which he maintains as per manufacturer instructions at a main dealer no expense spared. But every time I see the car it has at least one bald tyre!

I would have a good look at its history when you go back, look for things like timing belt, regular oil changes etc. If that sort of care is lacking then walk away. Have an ask or a search on the Briskoda forum for when the belt should be changed or any issues. There will be many comprehensive "what should I be looking for when I buy a VRS" threads on there that will give you many more specific answers than on here.

Here you go-

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/220525-octavia-vrs-mkii-tfsi-buyers-guide/

It seems the Octavia is relatively trouble free but the tyres are prone to scrubbing or saw toothing, I.e. wearing on the inside where you can't see the wear clearly unless you know to look for it. My Fabia VRS has done this and it caught me out the first time a tyre wore and was called out by my garage. It is likely this that has lead to the tyre wear advisories on the car you have seen.

Timing belt is 60k miles so make sure that has been done.

AND pump. No quibble.

Having gone from a Mondeo to an Octavia forget about any middle class rubbish and just get the Ford. Skoda build quality isn't up to Ford. MPG nowhere near the much larger, heavier and older Mondeo but VAG will just lie to say it is anyway. Reliability hasn't been as good either with failed oil sensor, parking sensors giving false readings and horrendous condensation. The two latter are very common problems. Parking sensors is due to water getting into the connections and condensation with poor seals. I personally wouldn't touch another VAG car after this but n a positive note the DSG gearbox is nice.
BMW's are well built though but even using independents are more expensive to maintain. They have als had their share of design faults so make sure you research the model well so you know what to look for.

The 318i is underpowered, get a 6cyl 325 or 330i.

The skoda is boring and dull by comparison.