Advice needed on buying Toyota Yaris 1.4 diesel with oil lea
Discussion
After my Hyundai Getz unexpectedly failed MOT ( no advisories last MOT and only 2k miles added since ) and is beyond economical repair I am in the difficult position of trying to find a bargain banger replacement urgently. My budget is £750 tops and my financial position is such that it needs to be cheap to run, insure, tax . As I'm reliant on a scrounged lift to view within short distance or public transport this further limits my buying options & I'm struggling to find cars locally that fit this criteria. I'm looking for min 6 months MOT and hoping it would serve me for at least a year.
After a few false starts (dealers being economical with the truth) I came across what I thought might be the answer to my prayers : Toyota Yaris , 2002 ,1.4 Diesel, 81,000 miles, MOT till June 2019. Sounds ideal but when I looked up MOT history was disappointed to find the following advisories: oil leak but not excessive; exhaust vapour excessive but not enough bla bla...
I know very little about car maintenance, but understand that an oil leak / burning oil could be a minor or major problem and don't have the experience to check it out myself, intend to ask the owner about it but again my lack of knowledge means I would have to take their word at face value.
I realise that at my budget I can't expect a car not to have some problem or other, but my question is given my lack of knowledge should I walk away from this one?
Piston Heads - I really would appreciate your thoughts on this one, what's the likely worse case scenario?
PS its only done 1,000 miles since last MOT
After a few false starts (dealers being economical with the truth) I came across what I thought might be the answer to my prayers : Toyota Yaris , 2002 ,1.4 Diesel, 81,000 miles, MOT till June 2019. Sounds ideal but when I looked up MOT history was disappointed to find the following advisories: oil leak but not excessive; exhaust vapour excessive but not enough bla bla...
I know very little about car maintenance, but understand that an oil leak / burning oil could be a minor or major problem and don't have the experience to check it out myself, intend to ask the owner about it but again my lack of knowledge means I would have to take their word at face value.
I realise that at my budget I can't expect a car not to have some problem or other, but my question is given my lack of knowledge should I walk away from this one?
Piston Heads - I really would appreciate your thoughts on this one, what's the likely worse case scenario?
PS its only done 1,000 miles since last MOT
Seriously rusted and weakened sub frame, serious leak on right front shock absorber, drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure - all this with just 2k since last MOT with car laid up from Jan to Aug ( but outside) as I was recovering from serious injuries and unable to drive. Garage didn't even want to quote for the work, I'm wondering if it might be worth trying to get a quote elsewhere.
Seriously rusted and weakened sub frame, serious leak on right front shock absorber, drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure - all this with just 2k since last MOT with car laid up from Jan to Aug ( but outside) as I was recovering from serious injuries and unable to drive. Garage didn't even want to quote for the work, I'm wondering if it might be worth trying to get a quote elsewhere.
Ziggyplayed said:
Seriously rusted and weakened sub frame, serious leak on right front shock absorber, drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure - all this with just 2k since last MOT with car laid up from Jan to Aug ( but outside) as I was recovering from serious injuries and unable to drive. Garage didn't even want to quote for the work, I'm wondering if it might be worth trying to get a quote elsewhere.
Cant imagine sub frames are particularly expensive on those (just Googled £225). Pair of shocks around £50, New CV boot a fiver.All fitted shouldn't be more than £500.
Thanks for that - I'd googled the parts but hadn't a clue what labour costs might be. I am glad I hesitated in taking the advice given to scrap it straight off now and will ring round for some quotes.
I guess the forum gets inundated with cries for free advice from folks like me. If I could find a trustworthy local mechanic they could have my custom for life! Not so long back I got quoted over a grand for work for Mot - at that time I was working for the Council and my boss suggested a retest by our own transport dept. Long story short - passed for less than £200.
Once again - thanks for your input which has really helped me at time when life seems to be throwing ' more than my fair share of spanners in the works'
I guess the forum gets inundated with cries for free advice from folks like me. If I could find a trustworthy local mechanic they could have my custom for life! Not so long back I got quoted over a grand for work for Mot - at that time I was working for the Council and my boss suggested a retest by our own transport dept. Long story short - passed for less than £200.
Once again - thanks for your input which has really helped me at time when life seems to be throwing ' more than my fair share of spanners in the works'
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