Dumb questions from a Kiwi about UK car buying

[lestag]

Having just arrived in the UK (currently in Bristol)and looking for work as well as a car, I have some dumb questions.

How can I check if the car i am buying is not/stolen/hp stil on it etc?

If buying from a dealer do they provide protection from above.? (in NZ they do)

Looking to possibly buy an N-R reg mondeo, vectra or pug 306

any of these real lemons? anything big to really look out for?

and for these boring cars , who would be an insurer to approach?

sorry, no TVR content, but if someone can arrange for a job for me there soon will be :-) :-)

[douglasr]

www.autotrader.co.uk has a link to HPI - they will check if the car has been a write off, has outstanding finance or has had a number plate change. You can check for vehicles in your area while you are there.

As for dealers, Main Ford or Vauxhall dealers should have checked the car...however they dont normally have cars that old. If buying from a small dealer, be a lot more carefull...a lot of cars get ringed (identity changed) in this country or are rebuilt write-offs.
Be very carefull buying privately.

Of the three mentioned, I would take the Mondeo...better car than the Vectra. Personally I would not buy an older/high mileage Pug...

[Esprit]

wahey lestag, aint seen ya round before, I'ma a brit living in NZ with a TR7.... nice to see I'm not the only Triumph jockey on here eh

[dern]

We have had an r-reg mondeo for over 2 years and I would defintely recommend one over the pug or the vectra. The 2.5v6 mondeo is miles better than the other (mondeo) engines but insurance isn't cheap and it drinks petrol (25-30mpg). Servicing is about 100 quid a year (10k service intervals) and bits are pretty cheap although not yet readily available through factors but the main dealers are not expensive for parts.

Regards,

Mark

>> Edited by dern on Monday 14th October 12:02

[jmorgan]

HPI here
https://www.hpicheck.com/
Very handy. All you need is the number plate.
Last time I used them you could check several cars at once (limited results) and if you chose on you could then get a full check including MOT verification. It was a 18 months ago now so best read up on the site as to what they offer.
Saved me buying a car with undisclosed finance.

[JonRB]

I don't know if NZ is like Australia, but I know that in Oz you get basic insurance provided with your numberplate / car tax / whatever.

Be aware that this is NOT the case in the UK and that you must arrange car insurance yourself otherwise you are uninsured.

Please forgive me if you are already aware of this, its just I thought it might be safer to mention it than not!

[Leadfoot]

If you're looking at Mondeos, try to go for the facelifted model (when they changed to an oval grill & bigger headlights). Dunno if any mechanical changes were made, but the post facelift ones seem to drive much better IMHO.