Buying first car tips

Hammer89

Firstly, I know nothing about cars, other than they have four wheels, but I know enough to know that there's a lot of cowboys out there. I've had friends and family buy used cars which gave up the ghost a short time later. As you might've guessed, nobody close to me knows a great deal about them either. This is significant because I'm in the market for a car - my first car - and I'm wondering how I'd know whether I was buying a decent one or not.

If I pay €2,000 for one, how do I know the f*cking thing isn't going to stop working six months down the line? I appreciate there might be an element of risk in buying any car, but how would I minimise that risk?

Also, would €2,000 buy me a decent and reliable car?

Cheers.

Pelvis Parsley

2 large could land you quite a respectable runabout.

Diminish your budget slightly, and spring for a pre purchase inspection, there are plenty of reputable people out there in the business. Say, 1,800 on the car, and two hundred to allow for inspection fees, may well save you a larger sum later. Do your homework first so you don't end up checking out multiple motors, and by all means ask here if you find something!

Peace of mind is everything, especially if you're not sure what you're buying. Obviously, allow for insurance and tax as well!

garancafan

Sound advice from Mr. Parsley. Consider joining AA from which you can access a reliable pre-purchase check. Buy Japanese.

Hammer89

Still haven't got around to buying this yet, but I will soon with a bit of luck. Is 190,000 good or bad for mileage on an 2007 VW Golf?

bazz26

Is that 190,000 km or miles, it is a petrol or diesel Golf?

Hammer89

Miles and diesel.

Atlantic Dawn

Hammer89 wrote: »

Still haven't got around to buying this yet, but I will soon with a bit of luck. Is 190,000 good or bad for mileage on an 2007 VW Golf?

Depends, does it have a service history? What miles are you doing as a diesel might not be suitable.

Wonzy

Get a decent avensis for 2k or a little more. Very trouble free. Just check service history, nct, tyres, oil, coolant. Always helps if it the person looks genuine and meet them at their house.

On a test drive change up and down through the gears a good few times, drive the crap out of it in third gear. Check wpiers, lights, indicators, window washers, central locking, air conditioning etc.

If you can check the exhaust for rust as well.

bazz26

It's high enough for a 9 year old car but mileage on the odometer doesn't tell the whole story of whether a car is good or bad. Judge it on condition along with examining the service history. At that mileage it could have had a good few wear and tear parts already replaced or it could have some big bills around the around the corner and that's why the current owner is selling it on.

dev100

I have a 2006 vw diesel 1.9 tdi coming up on 180K miles . Check how many owners it's had if its a 1 owner he or she will have generally looked after it. Has it been nct d lately ? is it a 1.9 or 2ltr recommend one to buy is the 1.9 Check to see if the timing belt and water pump was done at 180K it needs to be done every 60 0r 70K .... mines mostly done motor way driving . I'll be driving it till destruction .... another while yet hopefully . If the oil has been changed reguraly engine should be fine . Look at the engine and see if there's oil around the outside of block . If engine is too clean ie it's been steam cleaned walk away .... look at the pads and discs see if they in good shape. Check all the electronics press every button to see if everything works including air-con etc

Anything with mileage will come with higher maintenance costs worn parts pipes hoses break discs etc no matter if it's a jap or German or wherever .

For a car worth 2K generally someone is selling it as they don't see the worth in repairing servicing a car with that mileage and sale value . If you buy and keep car for 2 years it's cheap driving if you haven't to do many repairs ...

If it was a motorway car rather than a back road car it shouldn't be a bad buy ....... if you know a mechanic bring them with you ....

oscar2

I'd recommend going Japanese. Older Avensis are good.
Basic stuff like has it got a service history. How many owners. If it has changed hands a lot then maybe problem car. How long on sale.If its left sitting on lot for months then whats wrong with it. Ask here and Google models/engines of cars you are interested in for things like timing belts intervals etc.

Get a mechanic to check it. Don't rely on NCT as proof of quality.

Check insurance quotes and tax before you buy! Take care if buying privately off sites like Donedeal. Read buying used car sticky on this site.