First car advice- ford Ka 04 plate.

Rainbow1290

Hello!
I'm here for some advice as I'm really not very mechanically minded!
I'm 27 and have my driving test next month, and when / if I pass I'm looking to get a car asap! I currently pay upwards of £30 a week on travel to work, which is just ridiculous! (I only live 3 miles from work but I either start at 6am / finish at 10pm and no public transport at that time.)

I was looking at getting a well looking after 08 Ka as it's a pretty cheap car to buy and insure...
However my nan has offered me her 2004 Ka for free as she barely uses it (they have a focus they use 90% of the time now!)
She says it's in good working order and should do me for a couple of years although it has a dent in the side caused by her having a panic attack while driving. It's purely cosmetic and thus hasn't bothered to get it repaired.
It has around 65k miles on it, mostly town driving I think, round Birmingham etc.

I have around £750 to pay for a newer one if needed, but obviously feel the free Ka is the better option!
Would it be worth taking the free Ka and paying a bit to get it up to scratch / serviced / dent sorted out? Or worth getting a newer car in a better nick with lower mileage?

I'm just unsure of the costs of fixing it up a bit, and it doesn't help I'm not mechanically minded in the slightest!

Basically free 04 Ka and hope for the best, or pay for a newer Ka with low mileage which will last me longer and potentially be cheaper in the long run?

Thanks!

worried_jim

Free Ka. Put your £750 in the bank and add to it when ever you can and enjoy the only bit of free motoring you are ever likely to get. Good luck for your test!

Rainbow1290

Thanks! I figured this would be the answer! It's a free car after all haha! I'm just a worrier!
Would you say it's worth paying to get the dent fixed and any bits a garage finds? Or drive it until it it's next mot in 9 months / till it falls apart while I get used to driving out on my own and no doubt bump it a couple times ��

angrycrow

Take the free car and don't bother fixing the dent unless it has sharp edges or it is likely to rust.

With regard to garages do not take it to the likes of Halfords or Kwik fit they will have your £750 for a set of tyre, shocks, brakes and exhaust. If you know anyone mechanically minded get them to give it a once over before driving it. Once a week check oil, water, brake fluid level and tyre pressure and condition. Takes less than 5 minutes a week.

tacpot12

There is no point getting the dent fixed unless the appearance bothers you. You could keep a regular eye out on eBay for cars of the same colour at scrap dealers - each colour will have a code that will be shown in the onfiguration sticker in the handbook and somewhere on the car - buy a door. It might cost £200. Just make sure you get the right one.

Good luck with your test.

macman

5K miles a year of mainly town driving over 13 years will have taken it's toll on the clutch and gearbox. If it hasn't been serviced regularly, get an oil change and basic service done. Check the tyres and brakes.
Since it's free, you have nothing to lose by running it until the next MOT at least.

Rainbow1290

Thank you everyone for your advice, I really appreciate it!
It is my goal once I pass and get my first car to try and learn what I can about the mechanics and what not!

Deffo not bothered about the looks, as I say I expect to get a little scratch or bump here while I am still a new driver.

I think I'll take it to a small local garage for a look over / basic service and hopefully it won't break the bank too much as long as it lasts me my first year of ridiculously expensive insurance I'll be super happy!