im looking for a mini 1.4 cash sale is ebay the best

jaks111

im in the birmingham area im looking for a mini 1.4 about 2005 reg as i have the cash am i better off avoiding the garages and keeping private but having a hpi check done

thanks jacki

daveyjp

HPI offers a limited guarantee cover, but you need to ensure you understand the small print in full before relying on the information - there are lots of loopholes working in their favour.

As an example - form their guarantee document:

You must check that all the VIN markings on the vehicle match each other and the corresponding V5 registration document.

Do you know how many times the VIN number is stamped on a Mini? Do you know where all these stamps are?

I raise this because as a security measure our Toyota Aygo has a number of stickers on it which contain the VIN. I don't know how many there are and I don't know where they all are - up to now I have found 5 and some only after I have removed items from the car.

"If you are buying the vehicle privately, you must buy it from the keeper, at the address shown on the V5. You must also check the identity of the seller"

So it's up to you to prove the seller is who they say they are and be able to identify any forged documents they provide as a proof of their identity.

and as a nice get out clause:

"The HPI Guarantee will also not apply if"

"we do not consider that the vehicle has been purchased in a reasonably prudent manner, including but not limited to whether you have followed any guidelines we may produce from time to time"

Good luck!

emmell

Try autotrader, you can put the maximum you want to pay, distance you want to travel, mileage etc., if nothing else, it will give you an idea of what to pay. Also try pistonheads, ebay is ok if they have a buy it now or best offer otherwise you have no idea what someone wants for their car and you can waste your time bidding and miss something else.
ML.

LandyAndy

I thought Minis were 1.6?

vikingaero

LandyAndy wrote: »

I thought Minis were 1.6?

They had a 1.4 diesel which used the engine from a diesel Yaris, then they introduced the 1.4 petrol on the One as a cheaper entry level.

motorguy

Known gearbox problems with early cars

http://www.theminiforum.co.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=81491

Read up well on the forums and know what to look out for.

There are loads for sale. Make sure if you're buying privately that you really are saving money over a dealer car which will come with a warranty.

Hammyman

If you buy off Ebay, there is no warranty unless the seller offers one but then they're going to be a trader and its no different to buying from a garage. Before bidding, GO AND SEE IT. DO NOT BUY BLIND.

vikingaero

Hammyman wrote: »

If you buy off Ebay, there is no warranty unless the seller offers one but then they're going to be a trader and its no different to buying from a garage. Before bidding, GO AND SEE IT. DO NOT BUY BLIND.

I agree. You've got to be pretty dumb to buy a car without seeing it, hoping it's as described, and trying to knock money off or withdraw from the deal if it's a minger.

jd82

I think you need to get a professional inspection done. Its clear you don't know much about cars and Minis are prime target for 'dumb blondes' so it were.

Just because it passes an HPI check it dosn't mean its never been an accident or there isn't anything wrong with the car itself.

LandyAndy

vikingaero wrote: »

They had a 1.4 diesel which used the engine from a diesel Yaris, then they introduced the 1.4 petrol on the One as a cheaper entry level.

Thanks.

Shows how much interest I've got in Minis.:(:D