Buying cheap cars. What to check?
Discussion
My girlfriend needs a new car with a budget up to £1000. Luckily she wants small, simple but reliable.
We will be looking at the lower end of the used dealer market and I’m realistic enough to know that these cars will have issues. But what are the obvious things to look for and walk away from?
I’ve got a list that includes a decent amount of MOT with a review of the advisories, even tyre wear, a V5, recent belt changes and no excessive rust.
Am I correct in thinking that Nissan Micra, Toyota Yaris and Korean are safe bets and the Fiestas may be less reliable but cheap to fix? I’ll be avoiding French, Italian, Vauxhall and Volkswagen.
Thanks in advance!
We will be looking at the lower end of the used dealer market and I’m realistic enough to know that these cars will have issues. But what are the obvious things to look for and walk away from?
I’ve got a list that includes a decent amount of MOT with a review of the advisories, even tyre wear, a V5, recent belt changes and no excessive rust.
Am I correct in thinking that Nissan Micra, Toyota Yaris and Korean are safe bets and the Fiestas may be less reliable but cheap to fix? I’ll be avoiding French, Italian, Vauxhall and Volkswagen.
Thanks in advance!
- Don't buy a specific model, or spec. An undesirable car is cheap for a reason.
- Buy privately. Dealers are clearly looking to make a profit, a private seller often has 0 overheads and is looking to get rid of the car (make sure they aren't trying to sell you a pup though).
- Check MOT history online and perform a HPI check. Even if it's cheap, you can still be bitten.
- If you find a car you like, research common faults before going to view.
- A good sign is a set of matching tyres. Small, budget hatchbacks often have budget tyres, so as long as they match.
- Check the service history is up to date. If not, pay close attention to the fluids, their levels and conditions.
Finally...
Remember, its' a cheap car. If there's little things you can fix yourself, such as faded or swirled paint, don't sweat it. A spot of tinkering is usually needed, and always bonds (wo)man and machine.
On a personal note, I always had good luck with a Fiesta. The 1.25/1.4/1.6 Zetec (Sigma) engines are excellent. Need a timing belt ever 100k/10yrs, but that's it. Furthermore, any mechanic can fix a Ford. The Fiesta is also plentiful on the used market.
- Buy privately. Dealers are clearly looking to make a profit, a private seller often has 0 overheads and is looking to get rid of the car (make sure they aren't trying to sell you a pup though).
- Check MOT history online and perform a HPI check. Even if it's cheap, you can still be bitten.
- If you find a car you like, research common faults before going to view.
- A good sign is a set of matching tyres. Small, budget hatchbacks often have budget tyres, so as long as they match.
- Check the service history is up to date. If not, pay close attention to the fluids, their levels and conditions.
Finally...
Remember, its' a cheap car. If there's little things you can fix yourself, such as faded or swirled paint, don't sweat it. A spot of tinkering is usually needed, and always bonds (wo)man and machine.
On a personal note, I always had good luck with a Fiesta. The 1.25/1.4/1.6 Zetec (Sigma) engines are excellent. Need a timing belt ever 100k/10yrs, but that's it. Furthermore, any mechanic can fix a Ford. The Fiesta is also plentiful on the used market.
Insist on something "desirable" (to the majority), it's going to be worse nick for the money than something "undesirable". So a grand's-worth of Polo is going to be an utter s
tter compared to a grand's-worth of C3.
Go into it with an open mind, accept that at that money anything and everything is liable to be one hiccup from scrap, and buy on condition alone.
And do NOT buy from a dealer. You're buying a £500 car for a grand with no realistic comeback. Buy privately.
tter compared to a grand's-worth of C3.Go into it with an open mind, accept that at that money anything and everything is liable to be one hiccup from scrap, and buy on condition alone.
And do NOT buy from a dealer. You're buying a £500 car for a grand with no realistic comeback. Buy privately.
Just check for the best that gumtree throws up for your money. Keep away from anything with patchy service record or modifications aftermarket wheels etc - just means some young punk had inherited it off his mum and Yahoo!'d it around the town in 2nd gear for the last 20k miles.
There's always a well kept fiesta, micra, Suzuki swift to be had.
I'd also look to buy private at that sort of money, more honest buying from the man on the street, you can ask some questions and see if you get the right type of reply.
There's always a well kept fiesta, micra, Suzuki swift to be had.
I'd also look to buy private at that sort of money, more honest buying from the man on the street, you can ask some questions and see if you get the right type of reply.
word of warning if you go on Gumtree. look for ads that have had a modicum of effort put into them with decent grammar and complete sentences.
avoid the ads that might just read "car, runs" believe me I have seen some like that.
there as many very nice looked after cheap cars and for a grand you should do very well if you look in the right places.
avoid the ads that might just read "car, runs" believe me I have seen some like that.
there as many very nice looked after cheap cars and for a grand you should do very well if you look in the right places.
Yaris would be the answer for me as well. Lovely little engine, and as reliable as the seasons. I've got a real soft spot for these. and 35 mins to service including plugs and cabin filter.
The 1.3 is surprisingly peppy as well.
I'd not bother with the golf (rust), or the Micra (K12 was a dog,and the K11 rusts and has no crash protection), Chevy is very poor from an engineering perspective. No real comment on the Swift, or the Korean stuff really.
I tend to buy on gut feel most of the time. But then, I've bought the odd pup or 2 as well.
Oh, and it goes without saying that petrol is generally the way to go.
The French stuff isn't terrible mind, but diesel clio's are to be avoided at that price point. (C2 / C3 might not be a bad bet)
The 1.3 is surprisingly peppy as well.
I'd not bother with the golf (rust), or the Micra (K12 was a dog,and the K11 rusts and has no crash protection), Chevy is very poor from an engineering perspective. No real comment on the Swift, or the Korean stuff really.
I tend to buy on gut feel most of the time. But then, I've bought the odd pup or 2 as well.
Oh, and it goes without saying that petrol is generally the way to go.
The French stuff isn't terrible mind, but diesel clio's are to be avoided at that price point. (C2 / C3 might not be a bad bet)
bearman68 said:
Yaris would be the answer for me as well. Lovely little engine, and as reliable as the seasons. I've got a real soft spot for these. and 35 mins to service including plugs and cabin filter.
The 1.3 is surprisingly peppy as well.
I'd not bother with the golf (rust), or the Micra (K12 was a dog,and the K11 rusts and has no crash protection), Chevy is very poor from an engineering perspective. No real comment on the Swift, or the Korean stuff really.
I tend to buy on gut feel most of the time. But then, I've bought the odd pup or 2 as well.
Oh, and it goes without saying that petrol is generally the way to go.
The French stuff isn't terrible mind, but diesel clio's are to be avoided at that price point. (C2 / C3 might not be a bad bet)
MK4 Golfs don't rust. The 1.3 is surprisingly peppy as well.
I'd not bother with the golf (rust), or the Micra (K12 was a dog,and the K11 rusts and has no crash protection), Chevy is very poor from an engineering perspective. No real comment on the Swift, or the Korean stuff really.
I tend to buy on gut feel most of the time. But then, I've bought the odd pup or 2 as well.
Oh, and it goes without saying that petrol is generally the way to go.
The French stuff isn't terrible mind, but diesel clio's are to be avoided at that price point. (C2 / C3 might not be a bad bet)
The 1.6 HDIs are perfect engines if maintained properly (oil changes every 8k) but they are never maintained enough so yes definitely definitely avoid.
Check mot history online, check all warning lights come on and go off, check oil and fluids are ok at the correct levels etc. Check tyres (they can be 40% of the car cost at that budget!) Check for rust, check for no knocks/bangs at different speeds, over speed bumps, check clutch (pull hard from low revs in high gear), check for excessive smoke. Check any electric widgets work. Do not be fussy on spec/car, ignore miles on clock and buy in condition! Long previous ownership is generally encourging, ask how long dealer has had it, ask whether hpi clear, ask if any known repairs whilst in their possession. Go with head not heart!
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