Is it stupid to buy this car?
Is it stupid to buy this car?
Author
Discussion

boombox

Original Poster:

31 posts

203 months

Wednesday 1st January 2025
quotequote all
Wondering if I'm daft to be buying this car: https://imgur.com/a/OsxsXlM

From a dealer in Bradford who seems to have had many changes of name*. I suspect if it came to it I'd get no protection/recourse from them as a dealer....thing is given the car looks absolutely fine (and I've paid for the £3 check....) how wrong can this possibly go?

Asking price is £2700 and it's gone about 150K

Seller says timing belt and water pump have both been done but wondering if I'd see this in service book (if not how would I check?!)

Thanks

  • Can't work out if the place is MIDLAND MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED, Oak Motors Ltd, AK Motors, HN Car Sales...

swanseaboydan

2,206 posts

187 months

Wednesday 1st January 2025
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Surely at that price you just pay your money and take your chance ?

Davie

5,949 posts

239 months

Wednesday 1st January 2025
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About half the value of similar cars listed on Autotrader and does seem "cheap" for a facelift model. You pays your money, you takes your chances but could be a cheap car... just font expect them to welcome you back in 5 months time when the washers need refilled / the door locks pack in / it consumes its own turbo. Due diligence and if doesn't seem right, walk away. Nobody online will be able to tell you if it's a good idea or not, you need to speak to the seller / check the car / gauge the vibes...

Jamescrs

5,923 posts

89 months

Wednesday 1st January 2025
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More red flags than a Chinese military parade.

You have to know that you will have zero comeback after purchase.

If you buy on that basis then at least you know where you stand

fridaypassion

11,229 posts

252 months

Wednesday 1st January 2025
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Bradford? No run...I live in West Yorkshire as well!

loskie

6,745 posts

144 months

Wednesday 1st January 2025
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Buy private at that price.

So to answer your question: yes it is.

loskie

6,745 posts

144 months

Wednesday 1st January 2025
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MOT expires 29 Jan. Do YOU TRUST them to do a legitimate new one for you?

CoolHands

22,331 posts

219 months

Wednesday 1st January 2025
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Why buy an ordinary car from a dodgy dealer? Just wait until a better seller comes up with one.

turbomoggie

313 posts

128 months

Wednesday 1st January 2025
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The different registered company names would put me off. If a deal seems too good to be true, it usually means there's a catch.

On the odd occasion you might get lucky, so if you don't mind losing a few £s and taking a chance, that's a different mind set.
But if this situation is going to involve you stretching your finances to buy this, then imo I'd stay away and look for something better.



fido

18,479 posts

279 months

Wednesday 1st January 2025
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It's cheap for a reason. And you probably won't find out that reason until you have bought it. "timing belt and water pump" - ask them to show you the invoice?

Vsix and Vtec

1,318 posts

42 months

Wednesday 1st January 2025
quotequote all
To answer your question, yes probably.

Why take a risk on something like a 9 year old Volvo of unproven condition? You may as well buy private, because as sure as the sun will come to tomorrow, this "trader" will be nowhere to be seen should you need them to uphold their part of any consumer rights obligations.

At least if you buy from a guys driveway, you can build a picture for yourself and get a feel for how genuine the car is and make a gut feeling decision knowing its your risk, rather than be fooled by false promises of "warranties" and "good deals, honest mate."

anonymous-user

78 months

Wednesday 1st January 2025
quotequote all
boombox said:
From a dealer in Bradford
I didn't need to read any further. Nope.

popeyewhite

23,008 posts

144 months

Wednesday 1st January 2025
quotequote all
Chris Peacock said:
boombox said:
From a dealer in Bradford
I didn't need to read any further. Nope.
biggrin

My Golf is from a dealer in Bradford. Had it nearly three years, no faults.

119

17,342 posts

60 months

Thursday 2nd January 2025
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Depending on the history, dealers usually put a sticker on the engine cover with date and mileage of timing belt change.


But, Bradford.

Ankh87

1,122 posts

126 months

Thursday 2nd January 2025
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Do not buy a car from Bradford. Only ever do this if it is from CarCraft/Supermarket ect as many of these so called Trader Car dealers are cowboys. My old man knows the woes of buying from Bradford. For what you are after there's plenty of Volvos around.

Shabaza

288 posts

121 months

Thursday 2nd January 2025
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I'd budget a £5-600 contingency and perhaps purchase it with the hope everything is fine but have a backup fund,
Surely its just a car and most of them just function as they should with a few minor neglected issues.

However, if it was more than 1.5 - 2hrs drive away, not worth the hassle

macron

12,802 posts

190 months

Thursday 2nd January 2025
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City of culture ill have you know.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce3lw9e9d34o

What culture, good question.

Find something local to you on gumtree or FB marketplace at that cash OP.

Jamescrs

5,923 posts

89 months

Thursday 2nd January 2025
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Ankh87 said:
Do not buy a car from Bradford. Only ever do this if it is from CarCraft/Supermarket ect as many of these so called Trader Car dealers are cowboys. My old man knows the woes of buying from Bradford. For what you are after there's plenty of Volvos around.
Completely agree with this from personal experience.
I have bought car's from Bradford in the past at least twice and it's never ended well. I would only go there to buy from a main dealer, I live in West Yorkshire but not Bradford.


popeyewhite

23,008 posts

144 months

Thursday 2nd January 2025
quotequote all
Ankh87 said:
Do not buy a car from Bradford. Only ever do this if it is from CarCraft/Supermarket ect as many of these so called Trader Car dealers are cowboys. My old man knows the woes of buying from Bradford.
Oh c'mon he bought one car - ONE car, and this means all dealers in Bedford are bad? Do your diligence, you can buy a duffer from anywhere if you are not careful.

valiant

13,374 posts

184 months

Thursday 2nd January 2025
quotequote all
They tend to be pretty solid cars and issues surrounding the D4 engine are not too bad, mainly surrounding usual diesel issues like EGRs and DPFs. Oil consumption can be an issue on higher mileage stuff and check to see all recalls are done.

Without evidence of a belt change, I’d budget for another one simply for piece of mind and also get it plugged in to see if all the software updates are done. Might be worth an hour’s Labour cost at a Volvo dealer to get it scanned and updated.

It’s a manual which is good as you’ll avoid any geartronic issues but usual checks of making sure it engages all gears cleanly without graunching.

Even crap dealers occasionally manage to sell a decent car. Treat it as a private sale and do all your checks and make sure you view it and take it for a decent test drive before parting with any money.

Volvos of that era were still solid, reliable cars so if it checks out, it could be a canny buy.

Had a V60 of similar vintage but the D5 variant and it was a solid car. The boot isn’t as big as you’d think though but was a very comfy drive.

Edited by valiant on Thursday 2nd January 11:40