Discussion
Shamelessly stolen from the club but it's pretty good advice 
General points...
1. headlight flaking - most older cars have this, there's a DIY fix if you have some spare time
2. misted up lights
3. mismatched paint colours - a sign of dodgy repair jobs as the colours are all quite hard to match
4. Check Identification Badge found on Bulk Head for correct Colour Code Chasis number etc
Suspension...
1. ARB bushes and Droplinks. - my old car squeeked a good bit but drove fine, new one is faultless and no rust/wear
2. Steering rack Gaiters (Check not split)
3. Test drive without the stereo on and listen for bangs and knocking, try to hit some speed bumps to test for squeaks or thuds on the upwards movement.
4. Check for even wear on tyres
Bodywork...
1. Check for rust in the engine bay, I found it after I bought mine
2. Roof Rust (along the front and back)- worse on black/dark cars, rare on silver afaik
3. Arches for rust. - pretty common on most cars I think
4. Any shoddy crash damage repair
5. Check battery area for rust behind and below the Battery
6. Check the panels line up evenly - a lot of cars have had nasty kits at some point then returned to standard etc, panels as standard fit pretty evenly and closely
7. Peeling headlights
8. Check for underseal and rust underneath - [worth cehcking, they need to be undersealed - my old car was very rusty[/b]
Engine...
1. Idling problems - should idle quietly and smoothly at about 750 - 1250 revs?
2. Check the oil cap is on the left (mivec) and right for other models (in case seller is pulling a swift one)
3. Oil leaks major. - check for any leaks/fluid/water under the engine bay
4. Sump damage if car is very low
5. Oil level
6. PS/Alt belts condition
7. Idler pullys (noisy?)
8. Listen out for noisy tappets
9. Look for the cat if it needs one, it may have been taken off!
Gearbox...
Manuals...
1. Can be notchy when cold, not to serious, make sure you drive the car till it's warmed up and test the syncro action. A lot can be notchy. Good G-box fluid helps a lot.
2. Make sure reverse is easily found.
Other than all that just check the usual stuff people check on cars. They're pretty easy cars to live with and work on and the members club will provide any info, advice and parts etc you might need.
General points...
1. headlight flaking - most older cars have this, there's a DIY fix if you have some spare time
2. misted up lights
3. mismatched paint colours - a sign of dodgy repair jobs as the colours are all quite hard to match
4. Check Identification Badge found on Bulk Head for correct Colour Code Chasis number etc
Suspension...
1. ARB bushes and Droplinks. - my old car squeeked a good bit but drove fine, new one is faultless and no rust/wear
2. Steering rack Gaiters (Check not split)
3. Test drive without the stereo on and listen for bangs and knocking, try to hit some speed bumps to test for squeaks or thuds on the upwards movement.
4. Check for even wear on tyres
Bodywork...
1. Check for rust in the engine bay, I found it after I bought mine
2. Roof Rust (along the front and back)- worse on black/dark cars, rare on silver afaik
3. Arches for rust. - pretty common on most cars I think
4. Any shoddy crash damage repair
5. Check battery area for rust behind and below the Battery
6. Check the panels line up evenly - a lot of cars have had nasty kits at some point then returned to standard etc, panels as standard fit pretty evenly and closely
7. Peeling headlights
8. Check for underseal and rust underneath - [worth cehcking, they need to be undersealed - my old car was very rusty[/b]
Engine...
1. Idling problems - should idle quietly and smoothly at about 750 - 1250 revs?
2. Check the oil cap is on the left (mivec) and right for other models (in case seller is pulling a swift one)
3. Oil leaks major. - check for any leaks/fluid/water under the engine bay
4. Sump damage if car is very low
5. Oil level
6. PS/Alt belts condition
7. Idler pullys (noisy?)
8. Listen out for noisy tappets
9. Look for the cat if it needs one, it may have been taken off!
Gearbox...
Manuals...
1. Can be notchy when cold, not to serious, make sure you drive the car till it's warmed up and test the syncro action. A lot can be notchy. Good G-box fluid helps a lot.
2. Make sure reverse is easily found.
Other than all that just check the usual stuff people check on cars
. They're pretty easy cars to live with and work on and the members club will provide any info, advice and parts etc you might need.
MrFlibbles said:
Dont do it!
I havnt. For a start the lad never answered his phone, yet he would of known I was ringing from the missed calls, especially after I arranged to ring then view the car.
I wont do business with someone who cant even answer a phone and is messing me about.
Secondly it only reached £1300 on ebay, as to be honest thats all they are worth. He wants 2k, as he wants to claw back some losses.
Well nevermind, I havnt lost any sleep over it.
Looks like I am buying a bike anyway now
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