Introduction: Hi!
Discussion
Hello everyone!
I'm new to the forum, my name is Mark! I recently passed my driving test and I'm looking to get up to speed on all things automotive
I am a little ashamed to admit that yes, I did what a lot of people do, and I found this forum in the hopes I might get some advice on first time buys.
Apart from how a car feels, how it drives, and it's MOT history, service history, owner history and whatnot, I haven't a clue what sort of telltale signs to look for that a car might be prone to break down or expensive repair jobs.
Does anyone have any suggestions for what to look for on an MOT history that might suggest a car is particularly prone to problems, or what to look for under the hood other than the usual leakages. What kind of sounds to listen out for during a test drive, what to feel for, things like that?
The help is greatly appreciated, and I sincerely hope one day after many years of frequenting this forum I may be able to return the favour!
Thanks!
I'm new to the forum, my name is Mark! I recently passed my driving test and I'm looking to get up to speed on all things automotive
I am a little ashamed to admit that yes, I did what a lot of people do, and I found this forum in the hopes I might get some advice on first time buys.
Apart from how a car feels, how it drives, and it's MOT history, service history, owner history and whatnot, I haven't a clue what sort of telltale signs to look for that a car might be prone to break down or expensive repair jobs.
Does anyone have any suggestions for what to look for on an MOT history that might suggest a car is particularly prone to problems, or what to look for under the hood other than the usual leakages. What kind of sounds to listen out for during a test drive, what to feel for, things like that?
The help is greatly appreciated, and I sincerely hope one day after many years of frequenting this forum I may be able to return the favour!
Thanks!
Welcome to PH! Congratulations on passing your test. Others will be along shortly to offer advice, disagree with each other and then get into a huge off topic argument.
Enjoy!
ETA: My brother in law is a Leeds United fan & I've just bought him for his birthday a copy of " Leeds United, Deja Vu", which describes a fan's experiences through the 2012-13 season following LUFC. How spooky is that??????
Leeds are rubbish. Though, I'm old enough to remember the Revie, Norman "bite your legs" Hunter etc. etc. days.
Enjoy!
ETA: My brother in law is a Leeds United fan & I've just bought him for his birthday a copy of " Leeds United, Deja Vu", which describes a fan's experiences through the 2012-13 season following LUFC. How spooky is that??????
Leeds are rubbish. Though, I'm old enough to remember the Revie, Norman "bite your legs" Hunter etc. etc. days.
Edited by Blib on Thursday 18th September 18:19
There's similarly deluded folk on this thread.............
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
An Aston Martin!
They are classy, powerful, and the original factory just so happens to be about 5 minutes walk from my house, the David Brown Tractor Factory
I think so anyway, there was a convention here for Aston Martins and David Brown tractors the other week
Truth is I know very little about cars, which is why I am here!
They are classy, powerful, and the original factory just so happens to be about 5 minutes walk from my house, the David Brown Tractor Factory
I think so anyway, there was a convention here for Aston Martins and David Brown tractors the other weekTruth is I know very little about cars, which is why I am here!
Edited by MarkoLUFC on Thursday 18th September 19:59
Wow! A new, young poster whom is polite and can put together a decent post; with spelling and grammar all in order...how unusual! 
Heehee. Seriously, big welcome to you Mark, always nice to see new blood round here.
It's a funny old place, this, but stick with it - I still love it after all these years! Group hug!
I hope you enjoy your stay.
Heehee. Seriously, big welcome to you Mark, always nice to see new blood round here.
It's a funny old place, this, but stick with it - I still love it after all these years! Group hug!
I hope you enjoy your stay.
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
Wow! A new, young poster whom is polite and can put together a decent post; with spelling and grammar all in order...how unusual!
Heehee. Seriously, big welcome to you Mark, always nice to see new blood round here.
It's a funny old place, this, but stick with it - I still love it after all these years! Group hug!
I hope you enjoy your stay.
Aha, I may be new to Piston Heads but don't be fooled, I am quite the forum veteran!Heehee. Seriously, big welcome to you Mark, always nice to see new blood round here.
It's a funny old place, this, but stick with it - I still love it after all these years! Group hug!
I hope you enjoy your stay.
Thanks for such a warm welcome
Welcome OP
The questions you ask are unlikely to be answered to a standard you could use to buy a car as the right answers could fill a small book.
I would get a feel for what you like and decide what you want, then hook up on the relevant section ie BMW section or whatever and try to find out specific foibles that the car in question has. All cars have particular things that you have to look out for.
The questions you ask are unlikely to be answered to a standard you could use to buy a car as the right answers could fill a small book.
I would get a feel for what you like and decide what you want, then hook up on the relevant section ie BMW section or whatever and try to find out specific foibles that the car in question has. All cars have particular things that you have to look out for.
lord trumpton said:
Welcome OP
The questions you ask are unlikely to be answered to a standard you could use to buy a car as the right answers could fill a small book.
I would get a feel for what you like and decide what you want, then hook up on the relevant section ie BMW section or whatever and try to find out specific foibles that the car in question has. All cars have particular things that you have to look out for.
That's great, thanks a lot for thatThe questions you ask are unlikely to be answered to a standard you could use to buy a car as the right answers could fill a small book.
I would get a feel for what you like and decide what you want, then hook up on the relevant section ie BMW section or whatever and try to find out specific foibles that the car in question has. All cars have particular things that you have to look out for.
So if I were to say I'm looking at an 04 Punto, an 02 Corsa and a couple of Yaris and Civics, my best bet would be to go on the Fiat, Vauxhall, Toyota and Honda forums and ask more specifically what sort of quirks to look out for and avoid if possible?
I was hoping for some general knowledge as well, a lot of the cars I've looked at so far, apart from the obvious things to avoid like rusted bodywork and obvious corrosion under the paintwork, I'm just completely lost as to what kind of parts can stand to be a bit rusty and what parts really need to be pristine
Generally look for rust where water will run or get trapped IE it's relevant to the car you're looking at If the rust is on a structural area walk away, generally.
I always like to check what major work has been done and at what intervals IE timing belt, clutch etc. Then you can budget for any work you might need to have done soon after purchase. In the same vein, look for issues with the car that you can tell will need sorting, such as leaky cam cover gaskets, cold cabin blowers, tyres to replace etc.
It really does depend on the car though
If the rust is on a structural area walk away, generally.I always like to check what major work has been done and at what intervals IE timing belt, clutch etc. Then you can budget for any work you might need to have done soon after purchase. In the same vein, look for issues with the car that you can tell will need sorting, such as leaky cam cover gaskets, cold cabin blowers, tyres to replace etc.
It really does depend on the car though
danjama said:
Generally look for rust where water will run or get trapped IE it's relevant to the car you're looking at If the rust is on a structural area walk away, generally.
I always like to check what major work has been done and at what intervals IE timing belt, clutch etc. Then you can budget for any work you might need to have done soon after purchase. In the same vein, look for issues with the car that you can tell will need sorting, such as leaky cam cover gaskets, cold cabin blowers, tyres to replace etc.
It really does depend on the car though
Tyres I get, what's the rest of the stuff? If the rust is on a structural area walk away, generally.I always like to check what major work has been done and at what intervals IE timing belt, clutch etc. Then you can budget for any work you might need to have done soon after purchase. In the same vein, look for issues with the car that you can tell will need sorting, such as leaky cam cover gaskets, cold cabin blowers, tyres to replace etc.
It really does depend on the car though
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