Renault Clio 1.2, 5 door - any good?

Homeagain

Hi there, back again asking for advice! I have just been to see a Renault Clio 1.2, 5 door with 60,000 miles on the clock. It is a 2004 ('Y') registration. The lady is looking for 950.00 GBP for the car. It is due for an MOT and tax in about 3 weeks. I know nothing about cars and as I don't know anyone who could look at the car with me I was wondering whether anyone could advise whether or not this appears to be a good buy. It has new tyres (I can see that), runs smoothly - has no big dents or anything and I am told it had new discs and brakes a year ago. I can't think of any other questions to ask! The seller seems to be a decent person and lives quite near me. Any ideas? I have a Toyota Starlet which is almost 16 years old and very tired. The clutch is failing and my mechanic has recommended that I do not attempt to have it repaired as it is really not worth it, hence the need for a new (well new to me) car. I would be grateful for any advice or suggestions - it seems that I can buy nothing these days without first asking for help on this site!!

[Deleted User]

Sounds like a lemon to me. Always the case when someone sells an old car when the MOT is due/expired.

If your Starlet is sound and only needs the clutch seeing to, then get it done. Better the devil you know. Mechanic will only be saying it's not worth it due to age of car but if rest of car is sound then why not.

MX5huggy

If the MOT is due in 3 weeks why is it not being done now? you can get an MOT any time but 4 weeks before (or is it a month?) you get the new MOT to run from the expiry of the old (that's the effect anyway).

You could MOT it then decide to buy or not based on what needs doing to get the pass.

Homeagain

Oh dear, even more confused now - in general is this car known as a good car, my friend seems to think that a Renault (whatever make) is a really poor make?

GAZ237

Y reg is a 2001.

And £950 is way over priced. Never buy a car with only 3 weeks mot left.

chevettedriver

I can only agree with MX5huggy - get the seller to get a fresh MOT now and it will have an expiry date of 1 year + 3 weeks, thus removing any doubts you may have.

£950 is a bit over book for that age, but with a new MOT and newish tyres and low miles would be worth a go.

If the seller refuses to do the MOT, run a mile!

atrixblue.-MFR-.

y reg 2001 60k miles, thats pretty low miles for small engine since new, id be concerned engine and suspension parts condition aswell as chassis if just a little get to the shop car this little lady has used it for.

elsien

Does it have a manual sunroof? - mine leaked like a sieve and it's apparently a common fault with them.

OddballJamie

I wonder if it actually is a 2004 but the reg starts with a Y which could be confusing the Op, like YB54 or YT04, something like that.

Strider590

Homeagain wrote: »

The clutch is failing and my mechanic has recommended that I do not attempt to have it repaired as it is really not worth it,

Well lets analyse how much it's worth........

The cost of another car + any repairs that need doing (because most people sell up in the same situation as you).
It's not about the actual value of the car, it's about what it'd cost to replace. A concept that's almost entirely lost on today's consumerism driven society.

Homeagain

elsien wrote: »

Does it have a manual sunroof? - mine leaked like a sieve and it's apparently a common fault with them.

Yes it does and I was told that because it leaked so badly they sealed it up - I could see the sealant around the roof, - not looking good.