PH help needed - viewing a car

[AyBee]

I'm off to see a Ford Ka tomorrow ( linky) for my gf. The car above is advertised for sale by the sister of a friend.

I've never had to view a car privately so don't really know where to start. What's the general procedure to it? What should I be looking out for? Once she's had a little drive, if she likes it, what should we offer? I'm fairly sure it's been looked after knowing the family and I could just make it all up as I go along but it would be good to have an idea of what to look out for etc.

Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks in advance, AyBee.

[deevlash]

Just kick the tyres, a firm boot to each of them should do it, then inhale sharply through your teeth and offer £500 less than theyre asking because "it's gonna cost to put it right"

[Craphouserat]

Have a look here...AA website also has good advice.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/advice/2010/07/selling...

or even here....it's early !

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/advice/2010/07/buying/...

Edited by Craphouserat on Wednesday 18th August 07:36

[sklar]

Its going to be rusty underneath, simple as. I've never seen a 5 year old Ka without rust, let alone a 12 year old one. Sills, doors, rear quarters, A pillars, Fuel filler etc. Those humongous bumpers hide a lot too.

Also, I've never seen one with working a/c. Make sure it does.

Seems pricey tho. I got my friend one 2 years ago that was a 99 with the same spec and similar mileage and it was advertised for less than that.

I'd want more MOT to make sure I had 12 months use out of it before I had to fork out £300+ in welding.

Edited by sklar on Wednesday 18th August 08:05

[Deerfoot]

I`m pretty sure that a Ka of that age will have a fair bit of corrosion evident around the sills. Have a good poke around.

[V8mate]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Unless they produce a bill for extensive welding, of course!

[varsas]

Most modern cars are OK (being galvanised etc), but it's still worth checking for rust.

[sklar]

varsas said:

Most modern cars are OK (being galvanised etc), but it's still worth checking for rust.

No. This is false.

[V8mate]

varsas said:

Most modern cars are OK (being galvanised etc), but it's still worth checking for rust.

You've never owned a Ka have you?

[Vvroom]

deevlash said:

Just kick the tyres, a firm boot to each of them should do it, then inhale sharply through your teeth and offer £500 less than theyre asking because "it's gonna cost to put it right"

Excellent.

On a serious note, don't take the missus with you. Buying a car privately (or even from a dealer), should in my view be a process ruled by the head not the heart.

Remember- condition, service history, does the seller look like a safe bet. These can very easily be overruled by "oooooooooooh isn't it pretty, I want!!!!"

Good luck.

[Groober]

Vvroom said:

deevlash said:

Just kick the tyres, a firm boot to each of them should do it, then inhale sharply through your teeth and offer £500 less than theyre asking because "it's gonna cost to put it right"

Excellent.

On a serious note, don't take the missus with you. Buying a car privately (or even from a dealer), should in my view be a process ruled by the head not the heart.

Remember- condition, service history, does the seller look like a safe bet. These can very easily be overruled by "oooooooooooh isn't it pretty, I want!!!!"

Good luck.

Agreed, that's how I ended up with a dog of an Alfa, but my god it looked great sitting there on my drive loosing all it's vital fluids.

[Vvroom]

[
[/quote]A Ka is an absolute abomination
[/quote]

Best quote in any post so far. Don't know if it's true but I liked it.

[Matt106]

Have a good look under the car, around the petrol cap etc like other people have mentioned it will have rust on it! I usually take a torch with me so I can look into all the areas which you cant usually see.

If its had a little bump its usually obvious as the clips pop off the bumpers and its a pain to replace them so ppl dont bother.

Check through MOT's, service history etc to make sure mileage matches was it shows in the car.

[sklar]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Ooh, just noticed VW Lupos and SEAT Arosas are now under a grand. That'd me my choice.

Edited by sklar on Wednesday 18th August 09:09

[hornetrider]

So to summarise, it will be a rusty shed about to fall apart and the OP should avoid like the proverbial?

[g3org3y]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

^This. Recently bought a '99 1.3 model for my sister - very basic, manual everything, rust all over the shop (superficial though), but damn it's fun to drive. Engine is the old 'Endura' (apparently dates to the 1960s?) and is rough when pushed but on a proper twisty road tyres screeching round every bend and a smile on your face, it's all good.

Did I mention the rust?

[Morningside]

Look round at your speed and dont be led into the "if you look 'ere mate, its had an xyz fitted" as they may be trying to distract you away from something else.
NEVER take their word for anything without a paper trail.

[TubbyRutter]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Ah but thats the dub scene rat look they are going for there!

[dome]

It's NEVER worth a grand with such a short MOT. Also look for history- I looked at loads of these for the previous Mrs Dome a couple of years ago-very few had any history at all. Plugs have a habit of shearing off in the head if they've been there too long. Also they burn oil (it's a prehistoric engine) which can ruin the cat. And don't forget the rust

To put the price in perspective, we paid £1200ish about 3 years ago for a KA colection on a T plate with a years MOT and 6 months tax and full Ford history.

Great wee cars to drive though

Edited by dome on Wednesday 18th August 09:53

[AyBee]

Ok, sounds like it's going to be a bit of a rust bucket then The gf isn't one to fall in love with the looks, she's not a huge fan but having just had an engine blow up in her corsa, she wants a new car (lives in the sticks) and this is close and under budget.

If it doesn't have much/any rust, what do we think it's worth?

Thanks for all the help so far