Would you be nearly better off buying a car that's not been cleaned up?

euser1984

I'm looking at this ad - http://cars.donedeal.co.uk/cars-for-sale/2001-toyota-corolla-1-4-litre/6972561

He may not have cleaned it up etc. but at least you can see that he isn't covering anything up, no?

MuppetCheck

When it comes to any car, be it new or 13 years old like the one in the advert how clean it is should be well down the list of priorities. Judge each car on it's merits (at that age and price - NCT, tax, tyre condition, overall condition etc). I don't see what it not being cleaned up is covering bar paint condition which is easy to inspect in the flesh.

euser1984

MuppetCheck wrote: »

When it comes to any car, be it new or 13 years old like the one in the advert how clean it is should be well down the list of priorities. Judge each car on it's merits (at that age and price - NCT, tax, tyre condition, overall condition etc). I don't see what it not being cleaned up is covering bar paint condition which is easy to inspect in the flesh.

I suppose regarding cleaned up I meant a powerwash under the bonnet to cover an oil leak - a guy I know had this happen to him before....

How would I go about inspecting paint condition for the likes of this car? Thanks.

MarkR

More looking for rust, peeling lacquer, signs of bubbling under the paint I would think. Particularly around the arches and sills.