Advice buying a used car

Jenna64

Mercdriver wrote: »

What car and age? Low mileage on an older is not necessarily a good thing...

Just worked out how to quote.
Ford Fusion. 13 yrs old

Jenna64

Hoof_Hearted wrote: »

I would look a\t good makes and unpopular models. If you want a small car, the bug-eyed Micra was never very popular and cheap low mileage models are plentiful.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk

It's bug eyed, that's why not popular
but do you think I'm better off going with those sorts of prices then? Not sure if I should pay a few hundred or a couple of thousand

Jenna64

loskie wrote: »

Do you really need a car or will a car club do?

You do sound very unsure of your needs and this makes it difficult to offer advice.

what is a car club? I don't want to drive that much

Jenna64

I've learn't a lot from you all and from auto trader, thanks, if i liked shopping for cars I'd be in my element, but I've got some health problems and back injury and just need a car like now, so it's not easy. thanks for advice.

the main thing is I don't want to spend a few hundred on a car and then wish I'd spent a couple of thousands on one, if that is the better thing to do

loskie

availabilities of car club will depend on your location

https://www.enterprisecarclub.co.uk/gb/en/about/what-is-car-club.html

there are others just google car club and your town

Jenna64

thanks loskie
I've had a look but can't see the answer quickly, how is this cheaper than car hire? I will read properly later

macman

You really need to say what your budget is. Do you have a car at present?

Mercdriver

macman wrote: »

You really need to say what your budget is. Do you have a car at present?

Reading the OP, I don't think she does.

Jenna64

Originally I was thinking of spending around £500 - £600, but I have funds for around £2 - 3000.

That money is needed. but a car is needed, so it comes down to what is best to do really. Ive never had to make these choices

Ebe_Scrooge

To be honest, for £500-£600, you're in banger territory. By which I mean, buy a car with a year's MOT, and expect to scrap it after a year. Unless you're handy with a toolkit, in which case you may be able to keep it going for a few years at a reasonable cost.

2 - 3 K - you could get quite a nice little motor for that. As per previous advice, buy on condition. Forget mileage. Has it been serviced regularly ? Can you see receipts for work ? Check the MOT history online : https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history. Can you see receipts to show any failures or advisories were put right ?

To put it into context, my son bought a 13-year old Yaris ( yeah, with the optional rear brakes ) a year ago, for £900. OK, the bodywork is a bit tatty, I've been teaching him how to sort that out, helping him get it tarted up a bit. But mechanically it's sound as a pound, and he loves it to bits. Some very reasonable cars can be had on a limited budget - but take your time, don't be rushed into anything, and be prepared to walk away if you feel uncomfortable - at that price-point, there are hundreds of similar cars available.