Buying a used car, help!

MamaMoo_2

So OH and I had decided on a used car to buy, one or two minor issues. We've now found another one for the same price at the same dealer and are now considering that, unfortunately we can't get anyone to check it out for us.
We have no clue what to be looking for.
It has full 12 months MOT and some tax, but apparently it occasionally misfires?
I don't know what to do and any advice would be welcome.
I understand how vague this post is so if there's any information I can provide, please ask.
We know fluff all here

motorguy

MamaMoo wrote: »

So OH and I had decided on a used car to buy, one or two minor issues. We've now found another one for the same price at the same dealer and are now considering that, unfortunately we can't get anyone to check it out for us.
We have no clue what to be looking for.
It has full 12 months MOT and some tax, but apparently it occasionally misfires?
I don't know what to do and any advice would be welcome.
I understand how vague this post is so if there's any information I can provide, please ask.
We know fluff all here

If it occassionally misfires why havent they simply sorted it out? It could be because its an expensive fix or symptoms of something bigger about to go wrong.

Personally, i'd run a mile.

MamaMoo_2

Thanks, that was my thought. They only received the car yesterday as p/x, and they don't bother with "minor fixes". The car we're looking at has a rip in the upholstery, broken wing mirror (although not broken enough to have failed an MOT, but pretty bad IMO) and no radio etc. I think because they're flinging them out at such low prices they don't bother with doing much to them.

burlington6

Instead of buying on price, buy on condition. It may cost you more in the short term, but in the long term you'll be better off.

force_ten

you admit that you know nothing about what to look for when buying a car so am i right in saying you wouldn't be able to do any of your own repairs ?

if you buy a car with issues then you are putting yourself at the mercy of the local repairers, and you will be spending out unknown amounts of money to fix the issues that the car comes with

just replacing a wing mirror can be from £80.00 for a basic one up to £100,s for an electric one and a miss fire could be as simple as a plug or a lead if on a petrol car up to £100,s if it is a more complicated fix

I would say look for a car that comes with no known problems

sabretoothtigger

Misfires can destroy a catalyst which is expensive to replace.

Dealer do often dump cars that dont fit their profile, usually at auction so buy at auction prices from them if you do go ahead.
They'll be a price guide at the newsagent for this month, glass's ?

Ask for a new MOT

MamaMoo_2

force_ten wrote: »

you admit that you know nothing about what to look for when buying a car so am i right in saying you wouldn't be able to do any of your own repairs ?

if you buy a car with issues then you are putting yourself at the mercy of the local repairers, and you will be spending out unknown amounts of money to fix the issues that the car comes with

just replacing a wing mirror can be from £80.00 for a basic one up to £100,s for an electric one and a miss fire could be as simple as a plug or a lead if on a petrol car up to £100,s if it is a more complicated fix

I would say look for a car that comes with no known problems

Basic things such as the wing mirrors etc shouldn't be an issue as my dad can sort them out, he's rebuilt my brother's car and it's fab. Only issue is he's away for a few weeks so I can't drag him along with me to have a look.
I know the wingmirror is available for £25, and just the glass is £5. It's a manual, non heated one, so not much faff. We've changed the wingmirror on my husband's Transit too, and that was easy enough.

The misfire is on a petrol car. They've said something about spark plugs? But as I say, I don't know whether they've just "seen us coming" if you like?

MamaMoo_2

sabretoothtigger wrote: »

Misfires can destroy a catalyst which is expensive to replace.

Dealer do often dump cars that dont fit their profile, usually at auction so buy at auction prices from them if you do go ahead.
They'll be a price guide at the newsagent for this month, glass's ?

Ask for a new MOT

MOT was done this month, has full 12 months.

motorguy

MamaMoo wrote: »

The misfire is on a petrol car. They've said something about spark plugs? But as I say, I don't know whether they've just "seen us coming" if you like?

Could be spark plugs, leads or coil pack. Could take £10 or £200 to resolve even if its "just" those.

Could be a cracked cylinder head, air flow meter, split pipe, which could take £££'s in man hours to sort out plus parts.

Avoid.

MamaMoo_2

motorguy wrote: »

Could be spark plugs, leads or coil pack. Could take £10 or £200 to resolve even if its "just" those.

Could be a cracked cylinder head, air flow meter, split pipe, which could take £££'s in man hours to sort out plus parts.

Avoid.

Thanks! Think I'll steer well clear

Herzlos

Whatever your budget is, you should be able to find a car without resorting to something in such obviously poor condition.