Cheap car for foreign visitor

[OllyAitch]

Afternoon all. I'm trying to help out a friend who's about to visit the UK for 6 weeks. He is suggesting he buys a car, runs it for 6 weeks and then sells it. Between us we can work out the logistics of doing this, what I want to know is will his budget get a reasonably reliable car, it's a long time since I bought at this price.

He is willing to stick in £1k (understanding he will lose some money at the time of sale) He's look at VAG cars.

Will £1k get him a car that on the balance of probability be reliable for 6 weeks?

PS If anyone can recommend a car in the Manchester area that meet these criteria that would be ace

[crofty1984]

Get a Nissan Boring with a petrol engine. Cheap, reliable.

[Crusoe]

Worth checking if he can get insurance for a reasonable amount first, likely to be a big premium if he doesn’t have any history in this country. Could be cheaper to just get taxi's or hire something when needed.

[Viper]

the insurance for a foreigner not living in the UK, I reckon will cost just as much the car

[boyse7en]

OllyAitch said:

Will £1k get him a car that on the balance of probability be reliable for 6 weeks?

Yes.



Given that he is not resident in the country, will he be able to get insurance on the vehicle? And will it be economic for six weeks of cover?

[anonymous-user]

crofty1984 said:

Get a Nissan Boring with a petrol engine. Cheap, reliable.

Get an Alfa spider and hope for the best!

[rallycross]

Is it worth it for 6 weeks? It can take a few weeks to sell who is going to get rid of it after 6 weeks?

To do it he needs to have a uk address to register the V5 to, and will need to buy UK insurance (at the address he is registering it to) and they will ask for a UK licence if not the insurance premium goes up. 6 weeks insurance will cost a fair bit I'd think (if you cancel it after 6 weeks how much of the annual premium do you have to pay).

I would suggest something easy to re-sell like a Focus/Fiesta/Polo but for £1k will be a heap.

[craig_m67]

Many, many years ago when we first scouted the Uk before moving out my sister in law just added us to her policy and we were all good (from memory). Couldn't you buy/insure the car in your name and do same?

[OllyAitch]

All, thanks for all your help.

The car will be mine; foreign visitor will be registered keeper.

Insurance sorted in principle, subject to car purchase.

Car will be £1k Polo from the looks of it.

I'll sell the car and give back the balance.

I'll let you know the outcome

[Tuvra]

Saab 95 SE with full history and a long MOT/Tax

[Toaster Pilot]

Give Hertz, Europcar etc a ring and enquire about long term hire for 6 weeks. Compare to shed + insurance + risk of it dying + hassle of selling it on

[hornetrider]

I'd get something small and japanese personally.

[steveo3002]

Toaster Pilot said:

Give Hertz, Europcar etc a ring and enquire about long term hire for 6 weeks. Compare to shed + insurance + risk of it dying + hassle of selling it on

yeah stress free new car thats reliable and the back up services if it was to have any issues

[eltax91]

steveo3002 said:

Toaster Pilot said:

Give Hertz, Europcar etc a ring and enquire about long term hire for 6 weeks. Compare to shed + insurance + risk of it dying + hassle of selling it on

yeah stress free new car thats reliable and the back up services if it was to have any issues

This, precisely this

That said, if you buy right, you could make a small sum and pay a bit of the insurance bill.

Lets estimate:

£200 depreciation
£300 Insurance
£?? hassle/ risk

Surely long term rental for six week can be had for £6-700??

Edited by eltax91 on Thursday 14th August 13:05