Which used car?

jimjames

walwyn1978 wrote: »

Forgot to say that any warranty you get from a dealer on a 2k car would be so full of exclusions it's essentially worthless. Private purchase every time at this price point. Good luck!

Just make sure it is a genuine private sale and not listen to excuses about why the owners name and address isn't on the V5. Only buy from the address that is listed and ideally from someone who has owned the car for some time.

Alice_Holt

A service history is good too.

Don't be too particular about the exact make / model of car. Buy on condition.
The advantage of a private purchase is that you can gauge the owner as well as the car. If the owner is genuine, can produce the vehicle history, has a genuine reason for sale, and the car looks well cared for, has a long MOT, etc then the chances are the vehicle may be sound.

However it's always going to be a bit of a lottery at that price point. Keep some money in hand, as it's very likely that some work / replacements / service may be due soon.

motorguy

elliesmemory1 wrote: »

Approx 2k to spend. Need something reliable and economical. Have 2 large dogs so need room for them.
I know little about cars so what should I look for?
Is it best to buy private or from a dealer.
What makes would you look at.
I do mainly short journeys ie 10 miles but often. Rural roads mostly.
Any advice please.

As has already been said, private sale, and a petrol estate.

Think Passat, Mondeo, Octavia, Golf, Focus - estate variants.

At your £2K budget you are into the seriously dodgy realms of the driveway trader. They most often wont tell you they are, they'll pretend they're a private seller.

Common rouses are :-

• I'm selling it for my cousin / dad / sister / relative of some sort
• My wife doesnt like it
• That is my name and address on the tax book, but i'll meet you at tescos, not that address
• I'm not really a trader, its just a hobby
• They'll imply they're the named keeper on the V5C, but not let you directly see the name and address (fold it over when you're signing, that sort of thing)
• We've "just moved house"

Ways to spot them are :-

• The wording of the advert is factual about the car only. Nothing like "we've owned this car for four years" or "i had the timing belt changed last November".
• Google the phone number usually shows up other previous cars for sale
• Ask them directly "is your name and address on the v5c"? - ANY reason why its not usually means they're a trader
• If YES to the above, ask them directly "will i be seeing the car at that address". Any variance usually means they're a trader
• "How long have you owned the car?" is another one to ask - a vague answer like "a couple of months" or "not too long" usually means they're a trader.

Of the car itself, make sure

• Its got a years MOT or close to it
• Its been serviced recently
• There is service history
• If it has a timing belt (ie, not a chain) then there is ACTUAL EVIDENCE of when it was last done
• There are no warning lights on on the dash
• Check the tyres - right to the inside edge
• Check ALL the electricals work
• Make sure you get to start it from stone cold. You can tell a lot by how a car starts from cold, how it idles when cold, and whats coming out of the exhaust when its cold.