Toyota Corolla 2006/07 – selecting best example on AutoTrade - Page 1 - Car Buying

Thursday 2nd August 2018

The initial message was deleted from this topic on 13 August 2018 at 16:35

ZX10R NIN

29,749 posts

145 months

Thursday 2nd August 2018

1,426 posts

183 months

Thursday 2nd August 2018

Agree with the above, the price range is from the black 3 door to double that of the black three door.

Out of those though, id go for the cheapest. - points for it being a 3 door otherwise its far better value for money over the others, Full Toyota history etc. Buy it, give it a good service yourself, all filters, fluids etc Put some decent tyres on it if needed etc. Id also forget about taking it back to Toyota at that price point

EDIT TO AD: Ninja above actually has picked out some nice alternatives. I see the attraction with the Corollas however, they are quite out now in terms of tech, safety etc. I'd be looking at Focus (Drive Nicely, plenty to choose from and cheap to repair) and the Civic's (Quirky, well equipped and decent image imo)

Edited by FlatToTheMat on Thursday 2nd August 18:40

figtree

193 posts

115 months

Thursday 2nd August 2018

ed6666 said:

Thank you both for your advice, I am very grateful. At this stage, I have reviewed the corolla in detail, and am happy that this is the car I would like to purchase. However, I fully appreciate your point on narrowing down my price point.

With this in mind, I am inclined to go and test drive the following corolla, and service like you suggested above.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

However, I have done a quick MOT search for the number plate - YA06UGE - and it has thrown up a few past ‘fails’ and also an “outstanding recall”.

Could anyone kindly advise me as to whether they think that this car is still worth going to look at and potentially purchasing with this new information?

Any thoughts or guidance would be much appreciated.

There’s nothing there that’d put me off viewing it, worth a call to a dealer to see what the recall is for.

1,426 posts

183 months

Friday 3rd August 2018

ed6666 said:

Thank you both for your advice, I am very grateful. At this stage, I have reviewed the corolla in detail, and am happy that this is the car I would like to purchase. However, I fully appreciate your point on narrowing down my price point.

With this in mind, I am inclined to go and test drive the following corolla, and service like you suggested above.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

However, I have done a quick MOT search for the number plate - YA06UGE - and it has thrown up a few past ‘fails’ and also an “outstanding recall”.

Could anyone kindly advise me as to whether they think that this car is still worth going to look at and potentially purchasing with this new information?

Any thoughts or guidance would be much appreciated.

Well it really sounds like youve done your research and know what you want which is more than most people!

Only two things that put me off that particular Corolla, its 3 door (This may well not be an issue for you) and that its black (Again maybe a bonus to you but will show up any mark or scratch) both of which arent issues at this price point.

Id not be concerned about the recall, as Figtree suggested, Call Toyota and ask them ( I suspect Takata )

From the photos it looks good and appears to be wearing Avon Tyres which are decent enough Mid range, not bargain basement which is encouraging! I looked over the MOT History, which seemed ok to me atleast, few past fails but were for Tyres and Brakes etc - Pretty standard stuff and latest has no advisories. - However if you are concerned maybe get an RAC Inspection?

Also, mileage is not 80k miles as per the ad, its nearer 90k at 88 (Mot data) and maybe emquire as to when the Timing Belt was replaced, (Toyota may be able to tell you this?)

Edited by FlatToTheMat on Friday 3rd August 04:45

Edited by FlatToTheMat on Friday 3rd August 05:24

stropley

357 posts

184 months

Friday 3rd August 2018

My son has a ‘06 Corolla 3 dr which he’s had for a year or so. It was a pampered low mileage car and has been fine apart from both front seats have broken. The slide forward when you tip the seats function is not a great design, and a pin shears off - then the seats won’t slide back or forwards at all. As a temp fix I put a bolt in place of the pin on the pax side which allows it to be adjusted but not slide when tipped. The driver’s seat locked in an acceptable position so I haven’t looked at that yet.
It’s had a couple of recalls, the latest was for something to do with side airbags. Just ring your local Toyota dealer, they will have details of outstanding recalls for the car in question, and will be happy to carry them out - they charge the work back to Toyota.

1,426 posts

183 months

Friday 3rd August 2018

ed6666 said:

Thank you both for your help, it is so helpful.

Will give the dealer a call this morning to arrange a test drive.

In the meantime, you said I should call Toyota (I assume this is because it says they have done all the services). How do I call Toyota – I know this sounds like a basic question – but which number do I use, as I am not sure which Toyota garage serviced the car?

Also when you say you suspect “takata” – what does this mean?

https://www.toyota.co.uk/owners/vehicle-information/recall-checker Try this number for the recall and for more info on the Takata Airbags, maybe ask the dealer to send you the vin or even a picture of it

Probably just better off asking if the belt has been done

1,426 posts

183 months

Friday 3rd August 2018

ed6666 said:

Perfect - thank you so much.

I have noticed from the advert, the car is being sold by "A H Cars", with only 3 reviews (2 of which are poor).

I have also tried a google search, as well a company house search on this dealer, with no website or information found?

Would this concern you when purchasing a car? Or is it absolutely fine?

I noticed that too, website points to them also doing Taxis. I dont believe the cars being sold at a Traders price so would probably treat it as a Private sale, ie you're on your own of theres any issues.. however, its 12 years old and a little over shed money

ZX10R NIN

29,749 posts

145 months

Friday 3rd August 2018

Everything has to work if there are any issues be prepared to walk away.

smileymikey

1,446 posts

246 months

Saturday 4th August 2018

I was really tempted by this Kia for my wife, and was started to seriously look at emptying the penny jars out and giving them a ring.... Then I checked the MOT history and it had failed on two broken front springs and a bent front suspension arm. I'm guessing someone wasn't paying attention and hit a speed bump at a fair rate of knots. Not so keen now

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Wooda80

1,743 posts

95 months

Saturday 4th August 2018

smileymikey said:

I was really tempted by this Kia for my wife, and was started to seriously look at emptying the penny jars out and giving them a ring.... Then I checked the MOT history and it had failed on two broken front springs and a bent front suspension arm. I'm guessing someone wasn't paying attention and hit a speed bump at a fair rate of knots. Not so keen now

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Interesting perspective. You'd rather have one that hasn't had any new parts fitted?
I'd expect that nearly all cars of that age / mileage / price point have had some kind of adventure in their life, most not documented in the history in any way.

ZX10R NIN

29,749 posts

145 months

Saturday 4th August 2018

smileymikey said:

I was really tempted by this Kia for my wife, and was started to seriously look at emptying the penny jars out and giving them a ring.... Then I checked the MOT history and it had failed on two broken front springs and a bent front suspension arm. I'm guessing someone wasn't paying attention and hit a speed bump at a fair rate of knots. Not so keen now

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

That wouldn't stop me buying broken springs is a common thing these days with all the speed humps about as for the bent arm a pothole can do this in an instant, what I'd use as leverage is if they only replaced the one arm because I'd always do the pair, so if they've only done the one haggle & get some money off but as long as everything else checks out it seems like a nice car.

smileymikey

1,446 posts

246 months

Sunday 5th August 2018

Wooda80 said:

smileymikey said:

I was really tempted by this Kia for my wife, and was started to seriously look at emptying the penny jars out and giving them a ring.... Then I checked the MOT history and it had failed on two broken front springs and a bent front suspension arm. I'm guessing someone wasn't paying attention and hit a speed bump at a fair rate of knots. Not so keen now

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Interesting perspective. You'd rather have one that hasn't had any new parts fitted?
I'd expect that nearly all cars of that age / mileage / price point have had some kind of adventure in their life, most not documented in the history in any way.

Not at all. Buying at this end you have to be realistic/pragmatic. The point I was making is that the parts replaced at the same time suggest an accident of sorts and warrants caution.

1,426 posts

183 months

Monday 6th August 2018

ed6666 said:

Going back to our original discussion on the corolla. The price on autotrader is £1,350. Assuming nothing is wrong with the car, what would be people’s offer price? Given it says “no offers” in the advert, does this really mean no offers?

Id say maybe just go see it if you are ready to buy? Maybe give the dealer a call if you haven't done so already, ask about the belt etc. Maybe try your luck but to be honest it appears well enough priced, its up to you. Nothing lost nothing gained!

Save Ferris

2,733 posts

233 months