Buying a car off a private dealer, advice!

Alux_2

Just about to buy my first car, 1992 golf from a private seller I found on autotrader.

Any advice on things to look out for?

Thanks.

jimmym105

20 year old car from a private seller - I'd have it inspected. At least research things to look out for on a golf forum.

Big things to check - service history, when it should have had a timing belt change and if it has or not, tyres bald?, leaks of coolant, etc etc.

I would not buy without an inspection or knowing what to look for......there's no come back. Insured for a test drive?

forgotmyname

Private seller or a Dealer? Not a private dealer..

Its 20 years old, I expect its only a couple of hundred £?

Its buyer beware banger money. 1st car? Can you afford to insure it?

Has the seller owned it for several years at least, Got proof of some servicing? If hes owned it for less than a year and no proof of any work on it other than the MOT then its really will be pot luck.

If the only work done to it is at MOT time then thats sure sign of a neglected car, Only fix what fails the MOT.

Alux_2

Car is £600. Its a private seller. I can afford the insurance, reason im buying it is because its cheap to insure compared to other cars. Financially its great.
Golf's are always known to be pretty reliable, so thats something.

Owner says they've owned it for 5 years, and it passed the last MOT fine (next one needed 30th september). They say there have been no issues and have replaced a few things lately: ambelt, alternator, battery and exhaust.
I will ask to see the paperwork to verify that, but assuming that's all fine...

I wont be insured for a test drive, but my mum (im 21) will be insured for day on it, and she'll drive it. And to be fair she'll be a better judge as i've just passed my test and shes got 31 years driving experience.

Thanks for the replies.

jaydeeuk1

Alux wrote: »

Car is £600. Its a private seller. I can afford the insurance, reason im buying it is because its cheap to insure compared to other cars. Financially its great.
Golf's are always known to be pretty reliable, so thats something.

Worst attitude to use when buying a banger - go on condition and evidence of servicing, bills, mot work etc, not a name.

getmore4less

there is only one that old(1992)

http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201211456494288

If it is so good why change and not put a new MOT(£35) on it for selling.

Most around that price seem to be a lot newer.

3dr cars become a pain to use.

Looking at >£500 <10y seems to be loads of choice golfs seem to have a lot of badge money.


history/condition, look at a few trawl round a few dealer to get a feel for whats available.

albionrovers

I would buy JAP at that age/price range

mikey72

I wouldn't.
If it's lasted 20 years already, the badge on the front won't make much difference to it now.

My 23 year old car is french, and it's better then the same year vw I had 18 years ago.

C_Mababejive

There is no such thing as a private dealer. Hes either a private seller or a dealer. Make sure of which one he is. Anyway we are in cheap runabout territory here. If its a MK3 Golf,they are very well made cars and it could do you for a couple of more years. I had one and it was bomb proof and it was 92 vintage. Things to check..cam belt change v mileage AAM code engines are an easy diy cambelt change,dont know about others,, check oil..is it clean and regularly changed,there is likely to be signs of corrosion at this vintage..common points are rear tailgate around bottom window edge and behind number plate,also rear wheel arches and top edges of door sills just inside where the rubber door seal fits. If you pull up the seal,you'll see it. Check rear tailpipe as they corrode and part from silencer.

Saying that ,if it starts,runs and costs about £500 and there are some bills to show and a reasonably good vibe,it will probably do you for a while.

rodenal

A mk2 (or mk3 for that matter) golf that isn't a Gti is worth scrap + £100 at best tbh, you should be able to find something much better for your £600

colino

If your looking at anything in the banger sector, that is less than £1500, you or a mate have to be knowledgeable about cars, see a lot of them, weigh up the seller just as much as the car (does the fat, greasy, vest wearing bald bloke really drive that Micra Convertible?) and plunge into the abyss.
Generally Golfs are OK, but it is old, you will be forever polishing and waxing up that faded red paint and waiting for the inevitable mechanical fault to develop. But don't worry, it's welcome to car ownership.