Buying a second hand car

bakepot

Was looking at this one as well. More expensive but less mileage. Slightly different model as well.


http://www.evanshalshaw.com/search/vehicledetails/used-car-ford-focus--manual-petrol-silver-hatchback-sb07lyv/


is buying from someone like Evans Halshaw a better bet? Or should I just be giving these ford focus' a miss??

bakepot

gabitzul wrote: »

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).

Thanks for this! How long did you own yours for then? And no major issues?

BeenThroughItAll

bakepot wrote: »

Was looking at this one as well. More expensive but less mileage. Slightly different model as well.


http://www.evanshalshaw.com/search/vehicledetails/used-car-ford-focus--manual-petrol-silver-hatchback-sb07lyv/


is buying from someone like Evans Halshaw a better bet? Or should I just be giving these ford focus' a miss??

Nothing wrong with Foci, but you're looking at cheap cars in dealerships. How much did they pay for it to then make money at those prices?

If you're wanting to spend 2-3 grand, you'd be better off spending it privately if you want the best deal - it's worth making friends with someone who knows what to look for. Assuming you're not in a desperate hurry, that will make your money go a lot further.

Oh, and EH don't have a good reputation, just for reference.

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.

The guy did say though that the engine had a full RAC engine check and 3 months warranty which could be extended for extra. I'll be sure to enquire about getting confirmation in writing about this.

BeenThroughItAll

bakepot wrote: »

The guy did say though that the engine had a full RAC engine check and 3 months warranty which could be extended for extra. I'll be sure to enquire about getting confirmation in writing about this.

Don't bother. Their warranty won't be worth diddly squat. It'll have a list of exclusions longer than the Bible, and anything that is covered will be excluded on investigation, due to 'wear and tear'. Save your money.

bakepot

BeenThroughItAll wrote: »

Don't bother. Their warranty won't be worth diddly squat. It'll have a list of exclusions longer than the Bible, and anything that is covered will be excluded on investigation, due to 'wear and tear'. Save your money.

Yeah I would never pay anything extra for a warranty. I'd heard they were a waste of time.

bakepot

BeenThroughItAll wrote: »

Nothing wrong with Foci, but you're looking at cheap cars in dealerships. How much did they pay for it to then make money at those prices?

If you're wanting to spend 2-3 grand, you'd be better off spending it privately if you want the best deal - it's worth making friends with someone who knows what to look for. Assuming you're not in a desperate hurry, that will make your money go a lot further.

Oh, and EH don't have a good reputation, just for reference.

Do any used car dealerships have a good rep??


And yeah looking for something urgently, unfortunately, our current car isn't safe to drive.

bakepot

Could anyone tell me if I did buy the car and then took it to someone who knew what they were doing and they found issues, would it be straight forward to go back to the seller and tell them to address the issues or give me refund?


I'm guessing it would get quite messing this way.

Herzlos

bakepot wrote: »

Could anyone tell me if I did buy the car and then took it to someone who knew what they were doing and they found issues, would it be straight forward to go back to the seller and tell them to address the issues or give me refund?


I'm guessing it would get quite messing this way.

It would be very messy. Once you've paid it'll be almost impossible to get anything back from them; they'll claim your mechanic doesn't know what he's doing, tell you it was sold as seen, that they can't take it back. They might take it in to inspect themselves (and find nothing wrong with it, or they'll bodge it).

Much better is to agree to buy it IF and ONLY IF they take it to a garage of your choice for an inspection first (Offer to cover their petrol money), or if they'll let a mechanic of your choice look at it first.

Remember you hold all the cards - it's your money, they want you to buy that car, you can walk away and buy another one.

dannyrst

bakepot wrote: »

Could anyone tell me if I did buy the car and then took it to someone who knew what they were doing and they found issues, would it be straight forward to go back to the seller and tell them to address the issues or give me refund?


I'm guessing it would get quite messing this way.

Whatever you do, do not buy it when you go see it tonight. Please.

Go see it, if you like it, go back with the RAC/AA and get them to inspect the car for faults (small fee). This could save you a lot of money in the future.