Buying a second hand car

bakepot

Hi folks

I’ll try keep this as brief as possible…

Basically our old banger is on its last legs and I’m looking to replace it.

Car is for me and my partner. We do around 10k miles a year. Mixture of town and motorway driving. We have two young kids so need room in the back for two car seats and a boot big enough for a buggy etc.

Really don’t know much about cars and I’ve had my fingers burned in the past with dodgy motors. However think this looks ideal:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201511028363599?onesearchad=used,nearlynew,new&make=ford&model=focus&page=2&postcode=g729ta&sort=pricedesc&search-target=usedcars&radius=30&price-to=4000&logcode=p

It’s little under our budget but I don’t want to spend more than I need to. Checked the MOT history and it’s very good. Whatcar online valuation is the same as their asking price.

Would just really like people’s advice about whether it’s a good buy or not. Or if I should try stretch my money and go for something newer. Ideally I would like the care to last at least 3 years.

Any advice appreciated! Thanks

motorguy

bakepot wrote: »

Hi folks

I’ll try keep this as brief as possible…

Basically our old banger is on its last legs and I’m looking to replace it.

Car is for me and my partner. We do around 10k miles a year. Mixture of town and motorway driving. We have two young kids so need room in the back for two car seats and a boot big enough for a buggy etc.

Really don’t know much about cars and I’ve had my fingers burned in the past with dodgy motors. However think this looks ideal:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201511028363599?onesearchad=used,nearlynew,new&make=ford&model=focus&page=2&postcode=g729ta&sort=pricedesc&search-target=usedcars&radius=30&price-to=4000&logcode=p

It’s little under our budget but I don’t want to spend more than I need to. Checked the MOT history and it’s very good. Whatcar online valuation is the same as their asking price.

Would just really like people’s advice about whether it’s a good buy or not. Or if I should try stretch my money and go for something newer. Ideally I would like the care to last at least 3 years.

Any advice appreciated! Thanks

I would say that looks a decent car at a decent price.

I'm in a similar boat at the moment as i've sold our estate car and am looking a replacement around that price.

I've just come back from looking at a few and i feel genuine despair. Cars with bald tyres (dont worry mate i'll get a couple off a scrapper for you), panels needing painted (on average 2 panels due to scuffs and dings), alloys that have been battered off every kerb in the country and clutches with millimetres of travel left. Just people chancing their arm.

bigjl

Petrol Focus estate

Can't really go wrong if had been well maintained.

The V50 is a Focus is a fancy suit and is a bit nicer inside and a little more expensive to buy but would be my choice.

But if I needed an estate the Focus or last generation Astra estate would be on the shortlist aswell as a V50

gabitzul

Just for comparison, I sold a similar Focus (55 reg, 59k miles, Zetec with parking sensors and upgraded Bluetooth stereo) for £2300 in June.

So as already said, looks good.

Check the steering to drive true, check the engine for any noises when cold and very importantly check the aircon (always had issues with mine).

catoutthebag

Don't those zetecs have issues with core plugs / leaking / juddering / misfiring as a result? Had an 05 zetecs climate mk2 1.6 petrol and had to get rid.

catoutthebag

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4918624

Hoof_Hearted

The reviews of the dealer aren't promising:

here

Mobile phone number and "appointment only".

It would put me off.

If you go for it, take someone who knows what they are doing.

bakepot

Hoof_Hearted wrote: »

The reviews of the dealer aren't promising:

here

Mobile phone number and "appointment only".

It would put me off.

If you go for it, take someone who knows what they are doing.

Two of the reviews very recent as well... very off putting!

bakepot

catoutthebag wrote: »

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4918624

Thanks for this... very concerning.


This is a 07 plate though. Would these issues of been remedied in the later model or would they of already came to light by now?

bakepot

Meant to be viewing the car tonight so I'll we'll see how it goes. Thought I was onto a winner but looks like maybe not. Not really got the option to take someone who knows about cars unfortunately!

Hoof_Hearted

Reviews always need to be taken with a pinch of salt (especially when on a company's own website) but this would seem to indicate dishonesty:

"I discovered black tape over a warning light when cleaning the car..."