Should I buy a 156 sportwagon from ebay?
Discussion
It's a 2.5 V6. It's a 2000. It's done almost 200k miles but had a cam belt change in the last two years ish. It's got an MOT til Nov. It's on LPG, a BRC system.These are the known faults
ebay seller said:
Paint is generally excellent (no rust) but there are a couple of very minor chips and dings - you would not notice them unless I pointed them out.
Pass airbag clip has come updone (see photo), this is a common problem (look at other peoples listings) - I have been told this is a cheap and easy fix but never got round to it.
Glovebox clip not working (see photo, another common fault) - means glovebox fit not 100% - another easy fix I never got round to.
Standard spec body kit is not perfectly flush in places - easily glued back on - never bothered me.
One Rear window button come off – I have it but have not put in back in place (will attempt to fix before sale but no promises!)
Pass airbag light occasionally comes on - I was told when I originally bought the car that this was a sensor under the pass seat - I never investigated it further - passed MOT fine with this light on.
4th gear occasionally crunches (crunches is actually too strong a word, more minor than that) - garage said that it was a common fault and there was no need to sort it. It was like it when I got it and has definitely got no worse during my ownership.
Driver sun guard lost its ‘spring’ so I removed it - £10 from a scrap yard but never got round to fixing it (never seem to get any sun here anyway!)
Rear screen wiper used to work but recently stopped (see picture) another common fault – I rarely use it so have not fixed it.
Pass airbag clip has come updone (see photo), this is a common problem (look at other peoples listings) - I have been told this is a cheap and easy fix but never got round to it.
Glovebox clip not working (see photo, another common fault) - means glovebox fit not 100% - another easy fix I never got round to.
Standard spec body kit is not perfectly flush in places - easily glued back on - never bothered me.
One Rear window button come off – I have it but have not put in back in place (will attempt to fix before sale but no promises!)
Pass airbag light occasionally comes on - I was told when I originally bought the car that this was a sensor under the pass seat - I never investigated it further - passed MOT fine with this light on.
4th gear occasionally crunches (crunches is actually too strong a word, more minor than that) - garage said that it was a common fault and there was no need to sort it. It was like it when I got it and has definitely got no worse during my ownership.
Driver sun guard lost its ‘spring’ so I removed it - £10 from a scrap yard but never got round to fixing it (never seem to get any sun here anyway!)
Rear screen wiper used to work but recently stopped (see picture) another common fault – I rarely use it so have not fixed it.
Looks pretty good to me - less stone chips than ours too (120K and same colour)!
Worth it for the LPG conversion alone at the current price - can't see it going too high as it is a V6 (even with the added LPG) and it is 200K which would put ordinary punters off I think.
Are you far away, he has it advertised locally so worth a quick squizz? I have to confess I bought the first one I viewed, but glad I did.
Worth it for the LPG conversion alone at the current price - can't see it going too high as it is a V6 (even with the added LPG) and it is 200K which would put ordinary punters off I think.
Are you far away, he has it advertised locally so worth a quick squizz? I have to confess I bought the first one I viewed, but glad I did.
Not close enough for me either I'm afraid - pop a post in the South West / London forums see if anyone is that way or happen to be passing.
Alternatively, set yourself a max budget of what you think it's worth/would be happy to pay, ensure you have some left for unknown fixes, and take the plunge.
Hell, I test drove mine and 6 months later discovered the cams were loose, had worn smooth and she needed a top end rebuild - she'd been loose for approx 40K we worked out! :O. Still worth it and no regrets here. Should last past 200k I hope
Alternatively, set yourself a max budget of what you think it's worth/would be happy to pay, ensure you have some left for unknown fixes, and take the plunge.
Hell, I test drove mine and 6 months later discovered the cams were loose, had worn smooth and she needed a top end rebuild - she'd been loose for approx 40K we worked out! :O. Still worth it and no regrets here. Should last past 200k I hope
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