Help - advice before noon today please

2gorgeousgirls

Hi hoping you kind folk on here who know about cars can help.

My car was written off in an accident 2 weeks ago. Have received payout from insurance and that is all I have to buy a new car with. No additional funds at all.

Have seen a 2006 Peugot 206 1.4 HDI verve (diesel) for £2675 but it has 130,000 miles on clock. Apart from that is in excellent condition.

Mot'd and taxed until Jan 2012.

I do under 6000 miles per year.

What do you think, should I buy it?

Grateful for any advice.

Exemplar

History? Should have full history, dealership too for that price. Is it a private sale or in a Garage?

rodenal

You need to go and see / drive the car to really answer that question yourself. I'm not particularly clued up on the 1.4 hdi but it is around the right mileage to have needed 2 cambelt changes (assuming its not a chain) so make sure these have been done.

It's also priced pretty highly, with the mileage I would be expecting to pay much closer to 2k, maybe even slightly less - dont know if it's from a dealer or private sale but its trade value is around 15-1600

The interior of this generation of french cars doesn't really handle high mileages too well (may look very worn, seats particularly) and tbh the driving positon in a 206 is nothing short of shocking, but that's a personal opinion.

As long as it's been well looked after and had the relevant suspension refreshes I can't see a huge issue - it's obviously made it this far relatively intact who is to say it wont do another 100k

2gorgeousgirls

Has FSH. Not in a Peugot dealership but a used car dealership.

2gorgeousgirls

Rodenal - its about 50 miles from me. Am going today to test drive and if happy would like to purchase at same time to save a double trip.

Belonged to lady sales rep from new. Have seen on internet and interior looks immaculate.

Obviously will have to wait to test drive to see about driving position etc.

Will ask about cambelt when down there. Is that a big job if it hasn't been done?

Thanks for your advice

PS: If car suits, intend to haggle to get the price down though whether he will go down to 2k is debatable.

Exemplar

OK, what sort of dealer is it? big or little? You need to be negotiating a longer warranty (normally they come with 3 months, haggle for 6-12, this may be worth more than a discount!!), not some !!!!! one either (such as £250 claim limit), you want a FULL warranty that covers things like cam (if fitted) damage etc.

KingElvis

At that milage I would start to expect major problems to come up. I would affer between 1.2 and 1.6k max.

Check if the last owner was Captain Kirk with that milage.

2gorgeousgirls

King Elvis - unless Captain Kirk has had a sex change, it wasn't him!

Taking hubby so he can be the hard man when it comes to haggling!

2gorgeousgirls

Alcott, small dealership with a 3 month warranty as standard - will certainly try to negotiate a longer one if car suits.

Someone also told me that back axle could present a problem in the future.

Fully intend to offer under well £2k if car suits and see what dealer has to say but will also take on board your advice about extended warranty maybe being a better deal.

Thanks

Exemplar

Which spec is it? Should be high for that money, it's just been up and down motorways at that age. Check that the drivers seat doesn't rattle or squeek (common on high miler pugs!). Make sure no lights on the dash that shouldnt be on... Make sure all display digits work (uber expensive if faulty!).

2gorgeousgirls

Alcot - its a 1.4 HDi verve - is that what you mean by spec?

Bet that question makes you realise what a dumbo I am when it comes to cars! Not really into them - just a means to get from A to B.

Am writing a list of things to check when I get there - will add your advice about checking seat and lights to it.

Thanks