Buying C30 SE Sport -RDesign trim [advice please]

[oneilldom]

I currently drive a clio campus which is actually a great little runner but I need something more substantial for work. I bought the clio off my brother 'cause I knew it was a good little car. This, however, would be my first 'proper' car purchase. It's daunting and I'm incredibly concerned I might walk away with a car that is going to break or be dodgy.

I'm travelling about 100 miles to go and look at a second hand C30, it has about 65K miles on. All the ones near where I live that fit the requirements I want have been sold so it's travel or wait. I'm looking for advice on how to minimise the risk of buying a car as much as I can. Specifically relating to a C30 but also tips in general.

It has a mostly full service history but appears to have missed one (6k, 12k, 18k, 31k, 45k, dealers @65k). The car comes with a 12 month 'platinum' warranty with a company called Car Care Plan. I've heard varying things about warranties, some that they're not worth the paper they're written on, others that theyre good. Does it matter the dealership is so far away? The warranty is supposed to be redeemable at any VAT registered garage, though I'm sure they'll do everything to get out of covering it.

Please, please help me and give me tips when buying the car, things to check for? Ways to haggle with the dealer? Any other tips?!

[oneilldom]

norchi said:

Like all the small recent Volvos the C30 was built on the Ford Focus platform and uses all the platform and suspension components of the Focus.

Otherwise it would help if you told us which engine/gearbox combination you are looking at.

Also for a much wider and helpful audience sign up at www.volvoforums.org.uk the very busy site of the Volvo Owners Club.

Don.

Apologies, this is my first post. It is the 2.0L D I am looking at.

EDIT: Thanks I will pop over to the volvo forum!