1. Power Steering is a Good Thing (I have recently discovered!) 2. If car has done over 60k, check service history for new cambelt. Costs about £300 to replace, but if it goes it wrecks your engine which is a lot more expensive. 3. In fact, full service history is also a Good Thing to have. 4. Check the clutch condition, how easily it moves. If it's jolty or feels odd, chances are the clutch has had a rough time of it over the years. 5. Check the floor where you put your feet at the front (both driver and passenger sides) for rust (it'll feel slightly crunchy). Also check the structure of the car, including the boot and door frames. Rust on the panels is less of a worry, but rust on the structure can compromise the safety of the car. 6. If you can, find out what sort of running history the car has. If it's just done trips to town for the last ten years, that's far less healthy for it than long trips. 7. Look at it on a cold morning or day if possible. If it starts then, you'll be okay. See how well the heaters work. 8. Don't ever give a price you'll be willing to pay first. Let them tell you. (Unless it's a garage, less likely to do deals but you could try). 9. Check out parkers.co.uk for accurate price guides and reveiws of cars. Helps you to know when you're being overcharged or if you're getting a good deal - also if the deal is too good to be true!
And finally, if anything feels wrong, or slightly dodgy, just walk away. Have fun!
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2005-01-24 01:08 pm (UTC)2. If car has done over 60k, check service history for new cambelt. Costs about £300 to replace, but if it goes it wrecks your engine which is a lot more expensive.
3. In fact, full service history is also a Good Thing to have.
4. Check the clutch condition, how easily it moves. If it's jolty or feels odd, chances are the clutch has had a rough time of it over the years.
5. Check the floor where you put your feet at the front (both driver and passenger sides) for rust (it'll feel slightly crunchy). Also check the structure of the car, including the boot and door frames. Rust on the panels is less of a worry, but rust on the structure can compromise the safety of the car.
6. If you can, find out what sort of running history the car has. If it's just done trips to town for the last ten years, that's far less healthy for it than long trips.
7. Look at it on a cold morning or day if possible. If it starts then, you'll be okay. See how well the heaters work.
8. Don't ever give a price you'll be willing to pay first. Let them tell you. (Unless it's a garage, less likely to do deals but you could try).
9. Check out parkers.co.uk for accurate price guides and reveiws of cars. Helps you to know when you're being overcharged or if you're getting a good deal - also if the deal is too good to be true!
And finally, if anything feels wrong, or slightly dodgy, just walk away. Have fun!