SportKa MOT advisories question - oil leak

So I am considering a Suzuki Swift or Swift Sport. :cool:


One locally for £1600 with RAC warranty but it has 114000 miles on the clock! Another one for 2,200 but has about 57k on the clock.


I am still pretty broke but my bank seems to let me keep increasing my overdraft, so I may get a car by the end of November or soon after.


Any advice on that make and model would be appreciated. It is always scarey buying from these dealers but I am wiser after my other garage experiences. Private sales are also scarey and some of the dealers seem to be lowering prices - I think it is a buyers' market. I was looking at the Mini, which I would love but because it is too much of a luxury for me at the moment. I am also anxious about damage as my previous car was keyed. I don't want anything too valuable right now, it is too risky for me. Thanks for any advice. I'm posting this on the same thread because some of you know me.:)

Just a quick update - I finally decided and have bought an 06 plate Hyundai Coupe. Love driving it and it actually turns heads.

Lovely design. A good upgrade from the SportKa and let's hope it is a reliable one as there wasn't much service history.

At least I've found the right make and model for me.:)

Rain_Shadow wrote: »

Nice. Which engine is it?

Thanks Rain Shadow. 2L. It took me a few days to get used to. At first I was missing my SportKa and thought I'd made a terrible mistake. But the driving position needed slight alternation and I needed feedback from friends. It was a slight gamble (because so many unknowns about it) and cost me £1300 including £50 for new MOT. Not a lot but I had initial terror of more outlay. My friend said even if say for example the clutch went it is such a good car it would be worth spending on it.
I might be able to upload a pic. It's silver.

No corrosion showing up at this stage..;)

Hi


I just popped by because I realise after two years of motoring the Coupe needs more TLC (and an MOT coming up). Hello again.


I know it is terrible but I have been on a budget so all I've had done in all that time is new cam belt (just in case because no service history), new battery, two front tyres (both punctures/damage) and oil and filter change.


I should change the thread to discuss the Coupe but thought some of you who helped me before might still be on this forum and there would be a bit of continuity.


Anyway for now I am on this thread. My budget is better as I changed jobs nearly two years ago.:)


I have been reading the owner's manual in more detail and as I am doing around 10k a year (car needed for work now) I think quite a few things will need checking/replacing. I am still trying to keep costs down and don't know for certain of a reputable garage nearby. I am sure there are some but I don't want to go in clueless and encourage them to get me to spend unnecessarily. I am quite short of time but willing to try a few things.Also short of space (residential car park, no driveway). According to the manual I would need:


new drive belt
Fuel filter inspection
inspect crankcase ventilation hose
inspect air cleaner filter
Possible inspect or replace spark plugs depending on which type (how can I tell which type?)
Possible valve clearance - or if not after 8000 miles (I am at 110,000 now)
inspect cooling system
replace coolant
inspect brake pipes, hoses and connections
replace brake fluid
replace clutch fluid


inspect rear brake
inspect linings and cylinders
replace rear wheel bearings
inspect suspension and steering and front suspension ball joints
inspect brake pads


MOT is booked in at council testing centre in mid Feb. Would it be best to get it serviced before then (full service?). I am just concerned as the car had almost no service history. I have done around 20,000 miles in it now. I was just going to chance it, hope it gets through the MOT (I am checking all I can; lights, tyres, wipers etc properly) and then find a mechanic to service it. But is all the above necessary? If i go for a service do I just take it in and tell them I have little service history and they will have to let me know what's needed?


I could check some of these things myself later on if I can work out how - how feasible is this for a newbie to all things mechanical? I find it interesting but need to spend the time on it and don't have much confidence with cars but would like to learn more rather than just hand it over to someone else to do it all.


By the way it is a good solid car to drive, great for the M25 but for some of my journey I may opt for an automatic when it comes to a change in the future. I have found it is not thirsty especially on the motorway, is comfortable for my back and a nice cruiser overall. So happy to stick with it and give it TLC at least for a couple of years but the longer the better. Only one spot of rust (tiny) on driver's door but can't see any on the sills. I still occasionally miss the nippiness of a smaller car but this one has more comfort and I'm not getting any younger. Basically is great for long journeys. The aircon is amazing and I really appreciate it now we have heatwaves in the summer; so important. Any advice much appreciated.