FORD KAR CENTRE LTD Birmingham

Pluto

Hello I'm new to the forums here but have been recommended that someone on here will be able to help me out.

I'm looking to buy a Fiesta 2003+. There is nothing locally within my budget £4k but I have found some in FORD KAR CENTRE LTD Birmingham. However before I consider travelling 200 miles to visit them I would appreciate any information/feedback on this company.

All help would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Pluto:D

LifeisEvenbetter

Never heard of this company and I live in the midlands. Did they give an address?

Pluto

http://www.fordkarcentre.co.uk/28124/fordkarcentre.htm



FORD KAR CENTRE LTD
9 STEPHENS INDUSTRIAL ESTATE
635 WARWICK ROAD
TYSELEY BIRMINGHAM
WEST MIDLANDS B11 2EZ
Company No. 05306202

LifeisEvenbetter

Thanks Pluto - don't know this part of the Warwick Rd well so cannot tell you whether company is there. Might be worth hanging out to see if anyone else on this board can give you any info. Sorry.

DavidHM

One thing I noticed was that they said they were "VCAR specialists" on their front page... sounds great if you don't know what it means. My understanding of VCAR is that it stands for Vehicle Condition Alert Register - i.e., they specialise in selling repaired write-offs. (That might not be true but if it's not, it's an idiotic thing for a trader to draw attention to, even inadvertently).

Fiesta 1.4 tdci Studio/Finesse models tend to be courier, security or pool cars and cover massive mileages so watch out for clocking - e.g., the white 1.4 tdci Style on an 05 plate with 72k that they have in stock.

With 25k up I would put the value at about £4,600 retail or £4,300 private - it's a very low mileage indeed for a four-year-old diesel though and I would be suspicious, especially as diesels can be "gummed up" through lack of use. I'd much rather pay less for a 60k mile car in good condition.

Also I know they'll do 60mpg but this engine can be troublesome and the diesel injection parts can be phenomenally expensive if they go. If you're doing a low mileage you're better off getting a 1.2 petrol - okay it might only give 45mpg but it can be fixed cheaply and easily, it's a free-revving if noisy engine, and you'll have a much better choice at a lower price.

Troubleatmill_2

Try the big car supermarkets...
I did a search for up to £5000 ( maybe some bargains at at £4200 ) - £200 above your budget.

Not limited to but including....

http://www.trade-sales.co.uk/search.asp?cmboManuf=null&cmboModel=null&cmboMinPrice=null&cmboMaxPrice=5000

http://www.motorpoint.co.uk/(S(raocox45bt4sag55uvdd1zyk))/Search/GroupResults.aspx?make=&model=&type=0&maxprice=5000

Pluto

DavidHM wrote:

Also I know they'll do 60mpg but this engine can be troublesome and the diesel injection parts can be phenomenally expensive if they go. If you're doing a low mileage you're better off getting a 1.2 petrol - okay it might only give 45mpg but it can be fixed cheaply and easily, it's a free-revving if noisy engine, and you'll have a much better choice at a lower price.

Wife only does about 5k per year - I've sent you a PM with details of diesel car offered by mate - so I know mileage geniune. We are truely desperate for a car can you give any other ideas.

Wife wants small runaround. Previously had a Corsa 1.0GLS V reg (bought at 2 year old). Sold that but we test drove 2 year old Corsa's this week and didn't like them. She quite likes the new shape Micra but hard to find and she likes the Polo but there are none about.

DavidHM

I've replied to the PM and I've found three local cars for sale: 04 plate Fiesta (still a base model unfortunately ), 52 plate Micra and 03 plate Seat Ibiza. All should be within haggle-room of £4k or a couple of hundred over. There are more details in the PM for you to follow up.

The Ibiza is a rebadged Polo underneath - Spanish-badged as well as Spanish built.

Keith

Try these guys

http://www.matlockford.co.uk/

There used cars have very low miles for not much cash.

vansboy

Have you considered auction?

If you go to http://www.honestjohn.co.uk clik the link in the left hand banners, for BCA - it's Auctionview - you'll have access to EVERY car & EVERY British Car Auction centres in UK.

It is a pay for service, but not expensive. Currently shows 32 Fiestas, various specs in 03 - 04 years.

As for diesel, at such a low anual mileage, it wouldn't make sense for you to pay the premium a diesel costs, above petrol.

Which area are you?

VB

plane_boy2000

I think the V Car regerence is in relation to the fact that there core business appears to be repairs / bodyshop work. Almost looks as though they sell a few cars on the side. Given they have all the expertise to do repairs it is possible that they are buying damaged reapairable cars.

Looks like a small outfit - I wouldnt bother going to look - something else nearer will come up