Is this too good to be true?

[Alfa numeric]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

My better half is looking for an auto Mini Cooper and came across this. It's several thousand pounds cheaper than everything else and my brain's screaming scam, but she's sure it's on the level. Thanks to firewalls and the fact that I left my phone at home this morning I can't do any digging, so I thought I'd ask the experts on this forum.

Any thoughts?

[Alfa numeric]

The fact that it's listed as a Cooper and is plainly a Cooper S made me wonder, and then the mention of Vcar sent alarm bells ringing. If it's a trader wouldn't it be covered by some sort of universal policy?

[KrazyIvan]

Might be dodgy, might just be that they have a new car and have not re-newed the insurance on the old and are looking to get sold quickish.

Go have a look, if it looks ok, pay for the relevant checks along with and AA/RAC inspection and you should pretty much cover your self if you have any issues.

ETA - Didnt see it was a trader, still the rest of what I said is valid.

Edited by KrazyIvan on Friday 16th July 10:04

[hbwold]

Vcar i.e damaged, stolen .etc., Cooper S bonnet fitted to Cooper, possibly front end damage? No mention of service history, only one recent service. Yes I think too good to be true, I'd avoid.

[anonymous-user]

personally i wouldnt bother investigating. there are bound to be stories behind it. either that or the the low price is a planeted typo to generate interest before he reveals the true price, hten he has you on hte phone and can wax lyrical about how good his car is and how much better it is than the rest.

4997 isnt a genuine typo on the price and if people are that dececiving then they are usually hiding other things...

[Alfa numeric]

Thanks guys, you're echoing my sentiments. I've looked for the trader on Google and Yellow Pages and it's definately not the only one that came up as the phone numbers are different.

Just out of interest, how do I look up the reg no on the DVLA website? I'd be interested to know if it's a Cooper or an S.

Edit- done it. Judging by the co2 emmissions (187 g/km) I think it's a Cooper with an S bonnet.

Edited by Alfa numeric on Friday 16th July 10:27

[theboyfold]

Alfa numeric said:

The fact that it's listed as a Cooper and is plainly a Cooper S made me wonder, and then the mention of Vcar sent alarm bells ringing. If it's a trader wouldn't it be covered by some sort of universal policy?

I thought the S had twin exhausts in the middle. This one has a single offset one...

Link to 'real' S http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010... Note the different placement of the exhaust.

[Alfa numeric]

I'm normally such a geek, but hadn't noticed the exhaust... I think I'm going to tell her to pass this time.

Thanks all- this is the sort of thread that makes me love PH!

[Vee]

On VCAR so I'd assume it has had the Cooper S stuff put on during the repair.
The looks horrible - far better to go for a genuine standard Cooper.
My sis is selling a lovely one at the moment but it's not auto.

[pits]

Also, the front seat appears to be quite worn and sagging for a car that has done 33k

[davel*]

I've always figured if it looks to good to be true it most likely is.

Also if its 3 grand cheaper than other cars ask yourself why?