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Best thing to do is to pay the AA to come and inspect it. BUT ive just checked how much it is to do it and now i have changed my mind but its worth asking anyone you know with a mechanical head to go with you because they will scrutinise alot more than you will...
Half the problem with buying a car is emotional attachment which severly clouds judgement especially if you really like and want the car. I've suffered with this a few times but when i bought the Ibiza took a mechanic with me and he told me all was in good order which is what i wanted to hear but this was after the whole car was scanned over and under with a high itensity light.
Thats my only peice of advice. If your not a mechanic, looking for worn bushes, rust, shakes and rattles is often pointless and accomplishes nothing as youll probably buy the car anyway! x
Half the problem with buying a car is emotional attachment which severly clouds judgement especially if you really like and want the car. I've suffered with this a few times but when i bought the Ibiza took a mechanic with me and he told me all was in good order which is what i wanted to hear but this was after the whole car was scanned over and under with a high itensity light.
Thats my only peice of advice. If your not a mechanic, looking for worn bushes, rust, shakes and rattles is often pointless and accomplishes nothing as youll probably buy the car anyway! x
it's not worth paying for an AA check when the cars only worth £1500 anyway..... if you can't determine if the car is 'right' from a test drive and history & MOT, then it's not the right car for you
If you go over a 6/7/8/9 yr old car with a fine toothcomb you'll never buy it.
Just do what I did, buy eyes wide open, knowing it'll cost you to fix bits (which is what I did with the valver a few years ago)
If you go over a 6/7/8/9 yr old car with a fine toothcomb you'll never buy it.
Just do what I did, buy eyes wide open, knowing it'll cost you to fix bits (which is what I did with the valver a few years ago)
Bounce the car on the front passenger wing car should go down come up and stop. If it carries on bouncing there could be suspension issues, you should try this all the way round but the back is a little harder to do so i would concentrate on the front as your handling could be gravely effected.
Tyres!!!! Tax and MOT!!!! If it doesn't have an MOT ask why don't take any **** like "Oh... i just have not had time" because anyone genuinely selling a car would ensure its road legal as it is illegal to sell a car in the knowledge that it will fail an MOT unless the seller makes it clear why it would not pass an MOT.
Make sure the engine starts promptly and idles smoothly at around 1000 RPM.
Listen for any worrying noises from the engine such as knocking or grinding noises. Tapping is to be expected but only a very slight noise.
Get in the car make sure you can change through the gear box with the clutch down and the engine running. Check that 1st and reverse are easily selectable. If you can test drive, pay attention when pulling off. Feel for vibration and/or knocking noises.
Check the brakes work! Check the Seatbelts work as these will save your life if they have to heh.
Think as Mork said the general rule of thumb is to keep your eyes and ears open, listen to what the seller is saying, are they actively trying to sell you the car or do they seem uninterested. I often find a genuine seller will inform you of any problems straight away and will appear very reasonable but just remember if its too good to be true if often is.
Stay sceptical as this will keep you and the seller on your toes.
Be sure to ask questions regarding the cars origin, previous owners and recent history(Whilst owned by the Seller).
Without meaning to be sexist in anyway, shape or form I would recommend a male accompanist as i have seen a lot of guys jargon bashing woman in a sale and generally being quite patronising and even condescending to women buyers.(I can assure you this is not the attitude of all males
)
Well that kept me out of trouble for 5 minutes hope any of it helps
Tyres!!!! Tax and MOT!!!! If it doesn't have an MOT ask why don't take any **** like "Oh... i just have not had time" because anyone genuinely selling a car would ensure its road legal as it is illegal to sell a car in the knowledge that it will fail an MOT unless the seller makes it clear why it would not pass an MOT.
Make sure the engine starts promptly and idles smoothly at around 1000 RPM.
Listen for any worrying noises from the engine such as knocking or grinding noises. Tapping is to be expected but only a very slight noise.
Get in the car make sure you can change through the gear box with the clutch down and the engine running. Check that 1st and reverse are easily selectable. If you can test drive, pay attention when pulling off. Feel for vibration and/or knocking noises.
Check the brakes work! Check the Seatbelts work as these will save your life if they have to heh.
Think as Mork said the general rule of thumb is to keep your eyes and ears open, listen to what the seller is saying, are they actively trying to sell you the car or do they seem uninterested. I often find a genuine seller will inform you of any problems straight away and will appear very reasonable but just remember if its too good to be true if often is.
Stay sceptical as this will keep you and the seller on your toes.
Be sure to ask questions regarding the cars origin, previous owners and recent history(Whilst owned by the Seller).
Without meaning to be sexist in anyway, shape or form I would recommend a male accompanist as i have seen a lot of guys jargon bashing woman in a sale and generally being quite patronising and even condescending to women buyers.(I can assure you this is not the attitude of all males
)Well that kept me out of trouble for 5 minutes hope any of it helps
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Its only on the models with the multifunction computer on the wiper stalk that can display oil temp, unless you have an aftermarket guage fitted.
kerrly
Guest
If you look in the handbook it says the safe maximum operating temperature for oil before you should switch the engine off and allow to cool is ..... for a 16v 140degrees C
not that its good to brag about my headgasket being dead but i recently topped 130* and oh boy was i
bought my 2.0 8v a few weeks ago and being nearly 12 years old, it has held together extremely well, very little rust and only the front brakes looking a tad sorry for them selfs. (did 170km per hour very well, hehe import heaven).
I've bought many cars now through auto trader/freinds/ebay etc. and generally i can tell instantly whether it's good or not. It's the person selling the car thats a big give away, the ibiza i bought from a very small village in the middle of no where. Afluent area and just knew the people looked and sounded genuine. I didn't even had to look under the bonnet. They even brimmed the tank with fuel free of charge!
But on the other hand i was a click away from buying another ibiza on ebay and thought to myself just check the car with a HPI check and well well well came up as a insurance write off! £6 of Hpi saved hundreds being passed over for a potentially unsafe and illegal car.
I think the best way of deciding is having a good look at all angles and just get a feel of the seller. As for buying the car - never agree over the phone on a price and ALWAYS pay in cash, I swear by it. My girl friends 106, got 200 quid of the 800 price tag just by waving pound notes around. Also be ready to get the car.
I've bought many cars now through auto trader/freinds/ebay etc. and generally i can tell instantly whether it's good or not. It's the person selling the car thats a big give away, the ibiza i bought from a very small village in the middle of no where. Afluent area and just knew the people looked and sounded genuine. I didn't even had to look under the bonnet. They even brimmed the tank with fuel free of charge!
But on the other hand i was a click away from buying another ibiza on ebay and thought to myself just check the car with a HPI check and well well well came up as a insurance write off! £6 of Hpi saved hundreds being passed over for a potentially unsafe and illegal car.
I think the best way of deciding is having a good look at all angles and just get a feel of the seller. As for buying the car - never agree over the phone on a price and ALWAYS pay in cash, I swear by it. My girl friends 106, got 200 quid of the 800 price tag just by waving pound notes around. Also be ready to get the car.
I set a self imposed limit of 128C - which was 5 laps round cadwell park - and it took a long while to cool off
getting >105 on the road was hard work though.
getting >105 on the road was hard work though.
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