Buying, taxing and insuring a car for £2k
Buying, taxing and insuring a car for £2k
Author
Discussion

Tom9090

Original Poster:

15 posts

49 months

Monday 11th July 2022
quotequote all
Might explain my last post better.

Looking at getting a car to last me, basically until it's MOT runs out, for summer.

Have been looking on FB marketplace.

Has to be LPG, as it's so much cheaper, but MAY consider diesel, as LPG car pickings are slim.

Have found a car for £460 with these MOT advisories:

Expiry date
15 December 2022
Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):
Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))
Nearside Front Sub-frame ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))
Offside Front Sub-frame ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Looks like a heap of trouble, but some are just the tyres, and leaking of exhaust gases. He has said the engine hose is leaky and needs to be topped up with water, but drives fine.

I'm a student and have only passed my test 10 months or so, and my insurance is expensive, around £900 on the car above, but could always refund it if it fails it's MOT, and the road tax at £220.

Money is tight, but would be project and want to learn how to fix cars etc... and I'd like to think I'm fairly practical - I've changed a car light bulb!!! 😭

I'd rather spend £1.2k on the car, and my insurance be around £600/£700 which is the case on some cars, Citroen C1/Aygo/Peugeot 107, Citroen Berlingo CAR VERSION, and Toyota corolla etc.... as insurance is a 'pointless' spend and generally I'm gonna get a better car if I spend more on it.

Any helps would be great.

Cheers.

Rawhide

979 posts

241 months

Monday 11th July 2022
quotequote all
Why do you need LPG? In my experience LPG cars are either thirsty large engine cars, or quite high mileage cars. I'm imagining neither would be ideal for a first car. It will also limit your search.

Diesels are fine but more complex than petrol so might cost more to run if your mileage is relatively low.

Keep an eye on gumtree for local cars also.

Challo

12,553 posts

183 months

Monday 11th July 2022
quotequote all
Bizarre why you are focusing on LPG. They hardly come up for sale, and like the previous poster mentioned often they are mated to cars with large engines that do poor MPG. Also LPG isnt sold in alot of places so you might struggle to fill up.

Just look for something petrol, normally aspirated will be fine. Something like a 107, Aygo, C1 will be good.

itcaptainslow

4,663 posts

164 months

Monday 11th July 2022
quotequote all
As above-bin the focus on LPG (which no doubt will be additional trouble on a car in that price bracket), and instead look at small, simple, lightweight and petrol. A 107/Aygo/C1 is all of these.

Jamescrs

6,279 posts

93 months

Monday 11th July 2022
quotequote all
looking at the list of advisories, unless the seller has done any work since the MOT at the very least those tyres are probably now illegal, the other issues won't have resolved themselves either without sellers input.

I'd look elsewhere for a small cheap petrol car such as a C1 or similar.

steveo3002

11,197 posts

202 months

Monday 11th July 2022
quotequote all
another vote for c1 /aygo....tax and insurance is under 200£ for me

why go hunting some ropey gas conversion that probably never runs right , and as said theyre usually only fitted to juicy cars in the first place

NFT

1,324 posts

50 months

Monday 11th July 2022
quotequote all
Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

These are both the replacement of a short bar with ball joint on each end, 4 bolts total, easy job with wheels off, doable with them on if you can get hands through spokes but PITA that way.

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Check if inners are worn bald of tread, could mean you want to crack the nut on steering knuckle and turn steering rack bar a little to correct a bad alignment.
Do a bit both sides if you want steering wheel to remain centered.
Pop front wheels on back that way they wear less, and if bad alignment scrubbed inner tread down then will deff last longer than left on front.
If look at it make sure hasnt been driven and gone to cords as need new tyres then.

Could sound like a bearing has gone due to tyre noise if alignment way out, will be obvious its not when wheels are close to both being straight ahead, dial toe out completely and better mpg but don't throw it around corners.

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Likely need some putty on that, not bad enough to suck air in and cause emissions failure, so must be small and not an issue unless you look at it and it's made of exhaust putty and could then be rotted inside.

Nearside Front Sub-frame ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))
Offside Front Sub-frame ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Would have to look at that, could be a pain to do but otherwise not a big list of things tbh with you.

They could, barring tyres go through next MOT without issue.

some solid advice, pop into local garage, make it clear you want to know if will pass MOT in its condition as is, WITHOUT A NEW MOT BEING DONE!
Stress that bit, make it clear you do not want an MOT on books, just a solid opinion by tester if he will pass it as is.

If it will, get it on books, last thing you want is another fault and a fail when you get it though. So get opinion first and make it absolutely clear he is not to MOT it and log it, just check the status for you first.

Could get a fresh 12 months cert from that date that way, none of current left will carry over, but if it will pass and get it done now, car is usable 12 months with time to sort on faults at your leisure.



Edited by NFT on Monday 11th July 15:28

NFT

1,324 posts

50 months

Monday 11th July 2022
quotequote all
TAX, can get scammed, if you buy a few days before end of month and do it online, you have to tax it and pay full months worth for a few days, its like being double taxed and it annoys me so be careful and try time it right so you tax start of a month.

You can with some insurers cancel within 14 days for no penalty, by law you can cancel, some charge a small fee, others nothing, about 6 I think, it says in terms if you dig though them, could do it a few times with diff ones, before settling into a policy, some quotes will be cheaper if quote for a few months down line and it could get you through a little bit of time for a better quote.

Hope it helps!

Evil.soup

4,047 posts

233 months

Monday 11th July 2022
quotequote all
Tom9090 said:
Might explain my last post better.

Looking at getting a car to last me, basically until it's MOT runs out, for summer.

Have been looking on FB marketplace.

Has to be LPG, as it's so much cheaper, but MAY consider diesel, as LPG car pickings are slim.

Have found a car for £460 with these MOT advisories:

Expiry date
15 December 2022
Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):
Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))
Nearside Front Sub-frame ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))
Offside Front Sub-frame ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Looks like a heap of trouble, but some are just the tyres, and leaking of exhaust gases. He has said the engine hose is leaky and needs to be topped up with water, but drives fine.

I'm a student and have only passed my test 10 months or so, and my insurance is expensive, around £900 on the car above, but could always refund it if it fails it's MOT, and the road tax at £220.

Money is tight, but would be project and want to learn how to fix cars etc... and I'd like to think I'm fairly practical - I've changed a car light bulb!!! ??

I'd rather spend £1.2k on the car, and my insurance be around £600/£700 which is the case on some cars, Citroen C1/Aygo/Peugeot 107, Citroen Berlingo CAR VERSION, and Toyota corolla etc.... as insurance is a 'pointless' spend and generally I'm gonna get a better car if I spend more on it.

Any helps would be great.

Cheers.
As others have said, I wouldn't focus on LPG as in your budget you will get a high mileage gas guzzler. Most LPG conversions are done on large cars as they are expensive to run and will therefore be more expensive to insure, it will be a false economy for a new driver.

I personally would look at mark 5/6 Fiestas up to maybe £1200, that should get you a 2006 1.4 zetec with under 90k on the clock. Tax is £135 a year and it will return about 45MPG in real world driving, more if you make effort to drive more carefully. Insurance should be cheap, for me, being older, it is just £187 a year, it will of course be more for you but probably within your budget.

They tend to be very reliable and cheap to maintain, even when things do go wrong, they tend not to cost much to repair. For your budget you should be able to get a good one with a clean MOT.

Tom9090

Original Poster:

15 posts

49 months

Tuesday 12th July 2022
quotequote all
Thanks for all the replies.

In response, LPG is very easy to get if you know what your doing.

My mum has an LPG new dacia, and using the autogas app available for free, 9/10 we can get it a d can cover 250 miles for £20/£30 which is ridiculously cheap, especially atm, so I know where to get it, not an issue.

In my previous post I was talking about a car for around £950 with low MOT advisories, only the breaks and rear spring coil. Will go and reply to that now.

This has made me think of getting a petrol fiat panda, my fav out of all the cars in insurance group 1! Or a Vauxhall/Corsa/astra, ford fiesta, Toyota aygo, Citroen C1, Peugeot 107.

Although has anyone ever seen an already converted one of these? Ideally a fiat panda, can't find one anywhere!!!

Cheers

Challo

12,553 posts

183 months

Wednesday 13th July 2022
quotequote all
Tom9090 said:
Thanks for all the replies.

In response, LPG is very easy to get if you know what your doing.

My mum has an LPG new dacia, and using the autogas app available for free, 9/10 we can get it a d can cover 250 miles for £20/£30 which is ridiculously cheap, especially atm, so I know where to get it, not an issue.

In my previous post I was talking about a car for around £950 with low MOT advisories, only the breaks and rear spring coil. Will go and reply to that now.

This has made me think of getting a petrol fiat panda, my fav out of all the cars in insurance group 1! Or a Vauxhall/Corsa/astra, ford fiesta, Toyota aygo, Citroen C1, Peugeot 107.

Although has anyone ever seen an already converted one of these? Ideally a fiat panda, can't find one anywhere!!!

Cheers
I dont see the point of converting a Panda / C1 etc. Its already stupidly cheap to run, why try and convert it as it will take you ages to recoup the costs.

LPG conversions on thirsty cars make sense, but not on smaller petrol cars.

Ryan_T

248 posts

133 months

Wednesday 13th July 2022
quotequote all
At that price point your main focus should be buying something that isn’t essentially scrap. Any incremental gains from LPG / MPG to an extent will be wiped out by a mechanical failure that economically writes off the car.

Buy something petrol and Japanese, the best example uou can find. If not a Toyota then a Honda. It won’t be sexy but with almost no budget and no mechanical experience (and I imagine no workshop / space / range of tools) you just need something dependable.



Tom9090

Original Poster:

15 posts

49 months

Wednesday 13th July 2022
quotequote all
I have managed to find an LPG Vauxhall Zafira with only 2 advisories at its last MOT in March.

It's on my other post on this forum but here they are again:

Date tested
9 March 2022
PASS
View test certificate
Mileage
131,791 miles
Test location
View test location
Expiry date
8 March 2023
Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))
Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

As you can see minor issues, and my insurance is around £800 a year for it and road tax is £260 Ono.

Therefore a good 7 seater first car, for under 2k, taxed and insured. I can pile all my st in it, dog and all my friends... Of which I have around 2, maybe 3 at a push.

Oh and did I mention LPG?

Yes it's gonna be thirstier than a small aygo etc... But way more practical and due to being lpg cheaper to run ATM due to our bloody government tax on petrol.

Anyone gonna try change my mind?

Pls do I need someone to tell me I'm wasting my money.

Evil.soup

4,047 posts

233 months

Wednesday 13th July 2022
quotequote all
Challo said:
Tom9090 said:
Thanks for all the replies.

In response, LPG is very easy to get if you know what your doing.

My mum has an LPG new dacia, and using the autogas app available for free, 9/10 we can get it a d can cover 250 miles for £20/£30 which is ridiculously cheap, especially atm, so I know where to get it, not an issue.

In my previous post I was talking about a car for around £950 with low MOT advisories, only the breaks and rear spring coil. Will go and reply to that now.

This has made me think of getting a petrol fiat panda, my fav out of all the cars in insurance group 1! Or a Vauxhall/Corsa/astra, ford fiesta, Toyota aygo, Citroen C1, Peugeot 107.

Although has anyone ever seen an already converted one of these? Ideally a fiat panda, can't find one anywhere!!!

Cheers
I dont see the point of converting a Panda / C1 etc. Its already stupidly cheap to run, why try and convert it as it will take you ages to recoup the costs.

LPG conversions on thirsty cars make sense, but not on smaller petrol cars.
I have to echo this, you can't find one as it is very very unlikely anyone will have done it as the main reason for an LPG conversion is to reduce the cost of running a large uneconomical car. It is also not cost effective to convert a small car as the time taken to get back your investment is massive.

I do understand the interest in an LPG car given your mother has one, but buying an LPG car on your budget with low enough insurance leaves you with almost nothing to buy in today's market.

As said before, get something small and petrol with a good reputation for reliability. Try to get something LPG on your budget is going to buy you trouble and all it takes is one small break down to wipe out all the benefits of an LPG car for the next 10,000 miles. If you do the maths, it doesn't add up to a safe bet when running a shed.

Evil.soup

4,047 posts

233 months

Wednesday 13th July 2022
quotequote all
Tom9090 said:
I have managed to find an LPG Vauxhall Zafira with only 2 advisories at its last MOT in March.

It's on my other post on this forum but here they are again:

Date tested
9 March 2022
PASS
View test certificate
Mileage
131,791 miles
Test location
View test location
Expiry date
8 March 2023
Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))
Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

As you can see minor issues, and my insurance is around £800 a year for it and road tax is £260 Ono.

Therefore a good 7 seater first car, for under 2k, taxed and insured. I can pile all my st in it, dog and all my friends... Of which I have around 2, maybe 3 at a push.

Oh and did I mention LPG?

Yes it's gonna be thirstier than a small aygo etc... But way more practical and due to being lpg cheaper to run ATM due to our bloody government tax on petrol.

Anyone gonna try change my mind?

Pls do I need someone to tell me I'm wasting my money.
You sound like you have convinced yourself that this could be the one. I wouldn't worry about the advisories, they shouldn't be too costly to sort out. I have to be honest though, the Zafira is a long way from being a reliable car so that is worth considering.

How far do you plan on driving every year?

I have to admit, I am biased when I recommend the Fiesta, but that is only because I bought one as a punt for £700 over a year ago and it has been fantastic. The reason I bought it was because I needed an economical daily to knock about in and there are hundreds of Fiestas to pick from in the classifieds so it was easy to find a good one. It turns out its a great car to drive and cheap as chips to run.

At the end of Aug I will be getting a 2010 Kia Ceed Estate for more practical work, but the Fiesta has been so good, I have decided to keep that as well just for a bit of cheap fun A to B driving, it really is that good as a shed.

If the zafira feels right, just go for it, it is cheap enough and you have little to lose. Just keep in mind, you have had some good advice in this thread.

Good luck mate!

Tom9090

Original Poster:

15 posts

49 months

Wednesday 13th July 2022
quotequote all
Tbh haven't rlly looked at ford fiesta will do that now.

I favour the fiat panda as it's small and 20 quid road tax while being tall and often having roof rack/rails.

I also have a 2003 Volvo v40 I'm looking at, no mot advisories, 170,000 miles at 700 quid.

Or a 2010 Vauxhall asta, 130,000 miles, no mot advisories at 1200 quid, cheaper road tax at 137 quid and my insurance is around 750 a year.


Did I mention there both LPG? Yes I'm obsessed, but it's cheaper to run and if it's been installed correctly, much better for the engine etc as LPG is much lighter than petrol.

Anyone gonna help me pick which is best?

Maybe new thread time!!

Challo

12,553 posts

183 months

Wednesday 13th July 2022
quotequote all
Just go and see both and choose the one that is the best.

Being focused on LPG your options are limited so your gonna have to take what you can get

mike9009

10,621 posts

271 months

Wednesday 13th July 2022
quotequote all
What journeys are you doing?

Evil.soup

4,047 posts

233 months

Wednesday 13th July 2022
quotequote all
Nobody can pick one for you unfortunately, just do your research on the models you are looking at, check "What car" or "Autocar" reviews and reliability surveys and finally just go see them and drive them.

One thing to keep in mind though, just because you are driving it, doesn't mean you are buying it, so don't feel pressured to hand over cash if the car doesnt feel right to you or the seller seems like Del Boy!!

Would also test drive some over the smaller petrol stuff mentioned, you may as well.

Bendo

149 posts

70 months

Thursday 14th July 2022
quotequote all
If it's an LPG conversation, don't forget to declare the mod and see what impact it has on the insurance...