Buying used car

Toronto

My Dad has, at the age of 82, decided to give up driving, so thats one less thing to worry about! I have the chance to buy his car (it is a P reg '96 Fiesta 1.4 Ghia 16 valve) for my daughter who's K reg Fiesta wont last much longer. Unfortunately he had a bump in it the other day and there is about £500 worth of damage. He has had it valued at a local Ford garage and they said they would buy it for £1,600 as it stands so I can buy it off him for £1,500. What does anyone think about it. The car has been well looked after 46,000 miles and serviced every year at the Ford garage, although my Dad hasn't had from new. He also keeps it in the garage and I am sure that it has never done more than 60 mph. Would be greatful for any advise. Thanks

Dave_G_5

Sounds expensive for one with £500 of damage, a quick check on autotrader shows similar cars selling for around £1500 without any damage.

Toronto

thanks for the reply will have a good think about it.

vansboy

The Ford offer seems generous - are you sure that was a CASH PURCHASE & not a trade in allowance, valuation?

& as for £500 damage - who priced that? A bumper cracked & a broken light & dented wing could = £500, or be something that you can fix for pennies & put up with minor appearence defects.

Give us a fuller description of the bump & I'll cost it for you.

VB

Toronto

Damage to car caused by dad bumping into someone driving off a petrol station, apparantly both passenger doors need filling, the wheel arch needs filling and the bumper then will need spraying and new door trims. Does £500 spund ok for that? Thanks for offering to price it for me I know nothing about cars and need all the help I can get

vansboy

Sounds like the complete side is damaged, quite badly or lightly, you don't say.

But, assuming the doors open & close & lock, you've no sharp edges or jagged plastic - would you be able to put up with it?

There are plenty of people that could easily charge £500 for the repair, unfortunatly - but you would want a 1st class job for that amount. Have you taken it to a smaller repair garage, to estimate it? The BEST people to try are the ones local traders use, rather than big dealer/insurance backed bodyshops.

Perhaps the salesman in the Ford place knows someone?

Which part the country are you? If near Luton , I could maybe suggest someone.

VB

Toronto

Thanks for the info vansboy i really appreciate it. Live in the Lancashire area so not too close to Luton! but thanks for the offer anyway, I am going to try some of the smaller garages locally that other people have recomended and now that I have an idea of the price I should be able to decide which one to use. This is the first time I have had to sort out repairs on a car, I feel really grown up! Ta again for the help.

Dave_G_5

If you are getting quotes for the repairs, let the garages know that it will be you paying for it, as their prices usually increase if they think it is the insurance company paying for the repair.