Buying a used car that has just had work done?

braun_2

I'm looking to buy a used car at the moment.

I've noticed, the cheaper, better value ones that you can get often have just had a new gearbox installed or some other major work.

I personally would have thought this is a good thing, but they seem to be always cheaper than average for that year/mileage.

Is it more risky to buy these types of car?

Weird_Nev

Yes. That's why they're cheaper.

What kind of work has been done? Who knows? Is that "reconditioned gearbox" simply a gearbox from a scrapped car, with no history, no indication of miles covered or type of use? SImilarly, cars which have had major components changed, like engines, tend never to be quite the same again. Try as they might, a garage or workshop cannot install something to the same tolerances as they do at the factory. You may end up with a car that is plagued with electrical faults, leaks, or other parts failing simply because they've been ripped out of one car and plonked in another.

You might get a bargain, you might get a total dog. I'd never advise anyone without in depth knowledge of cars, and that car model in particular, buy a car that has had major work carried out. It introduces too many variables to the car.

With cars so cheap in the UK, even nicely cared for examples are cheap to buy. Get one of those instead.

braun_2

Thanks, that makes a lot of sense.

as an example, i've seen a car on ebay that says...
"Just had new springs, suspension arm and air con re gassed (receipts available) Cam Belt Changed, Engine & Gearbox Oil Changed"

Its only done 54k miles and is listed at £900, seemed like a bargain for the price. I've seen other cars same year that have done double the mileage but get plenty of bids.

Seems all the 'bargains' have had some major work done.

Timay

just take a punt that is all you can really say.

you might get a good car you might get an absolute dog, but for £900 that is the risk you take.

Saying that any used car is a risk.

vaio

braun wrote: »

Thanks, that makes a lot of sense.

as an example, i've seen a car on ebay that says...
"Just had new springs, suspension arm and air con re gassed (receipts available) Cam Belt Changed, Engine & Gearbox Oil Changed"

Its only done 54k miles and is listed at £900, seemed like a bargain for the price. I've seen other cars same year that have done double the mileage but get plenty of bids.

Seems all the 'bargains' have had some major work done.

That lot isn't major work, it's normal maintenance which is generally a good thing

BlueC

braun wrote: »

"Just had new springs, suspension arm and air con re gassed (receipts available) Cam Belt Changed, Engine & Gearbox Oil Changed"

None of that is particularly major. It is all serviceable parts. Quite different from having a new engine or gearbox.

BlueC

vaio wrote: »

That lot isn't major work, it's normal maintenance which is generally a good thing

Beat me to it. Gah.

Paradigm

braun wrote: »

as an example, i've seen a car on ebay that says...
"Just had new springs, suspension arm and air con re gassed (receipts available) Cam Belt Changed, Engine & Gearbox Oil Changed"

Its only done 54k miles and is listed at £900, seemed like a bargain for the price. I've seen other cars same year that have done double the mileage but get plenty of bids.

Seems all the 'bargains' have had some major work done.

To be fair, that's not major work.... it might be cheaper for another reason or it's a bargain

colino

It is a bargain bucket, stressed by advertising normal maintenance and MOT work as some kind of expensive renovation.