Viewing this car - thoughts on the ad?

Stebani

I am viewing this car tomorrow and was hoping to get some thoughts on what to look out for.

autotrader. co. uk/classified/advert/201910273743625 (not allowed to post links unfortunately)

The price looks decent value and from my neighbour's 180k workhorse I know that Colt automatics can be pretty much bulletproof and run endlessly. It's owned by an elderly gentleman whose eyesight does not allow him to drive any more. My only worry is that the MOT history shows very low usage over the last few years. But I don't know what that means in terms of what damage it migt do to the car.

July 2019 - 23,844
July 2018 - 23,799
June 2017 - 23,168
June 2016 - 22,629
June 2015 - 22,181

I would be immensely grateful for any tips or advice!

millwalls

There you go with the link https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201910273743625

Stebani wrote: »

autotrader. co. uk/classified/advert/201910273743625 (not allowed to post links unfortunately)

millwalls

Unless the owner has been diligently looking after the battery, it could be a dud with such low usage and possibly long periods of being stood. But otherwise it looks like it could be a good buy. Make sure you test drive it for a decent amount of time.

neilmcl

Stebani wrote: »

I am viewing this car tomorrow and was hoping to get some thoughts on what to look out for.

autotrader. co. uk/classified/advert/201910273743625 (not allowed to post links unfortunately)

The price looks decent value and from my neighbour's 180k workhorse I know that Colt automatics can be pretty much bulletproof and run endlessly. It's owned by an elderly gentleman whose eyesight does not allow him to drive any more. My only worry is that the MOT history shows very low usage over the last few years. But I don't know what that means in terms of what damage it might do to the car.

July 2019 - 23,844
July 2018 - 23,799
June 2017 - 23,168
June 2016 - 22,629
June 2015 - 22,181

I would be immensely grateful for any tips or advice!

The low mileage over the years shouldn't be an issue, particularly as it's a petrol rather than diesel. I wouldn't worry too much about that. Yes, you may have battery issues but it's 9 year old car so getting a new battery if needs be isn't the end of the world.

oldagetraveller

I did test drive a Colt of the same vintage some years ago and with that AMT. It's an automated manual box and clutch controlled by motors and a transmission computer. They are terrible transmissions.

A good car though in spite of that.


You need to carry out a really comprehensive test drive before deciding and bear in mind that any future repairs are very costly. Depending on it's use and age I would suspect that the clutch could be quite worn too.

facade

There is something odd about the boot. It looks as if it should have one of those loose board false floors that you can move around and use as partitioning with those grey sections each side. If it has one, ask where the floor panels are.



You often find that people remove everything detachable from a car before they sell it and stick the bits on eBay later to raise a few more pounds (check for the tool kit/spare wheel)


Sometimes things like the parcel shelf get taken out and stored and then "forgotten" about, if the car is regularly used to carry something.

Hermione_Granger

neilmcl wrote: »

The low mileage over the years shouldn't be an issue, particularly as it's a petrol rather than diesel.

The only thing that would worry me about the very low mileage is that if the car was only being driven for very short journeys, it's possible that the engine and exhaust rarely, if ever got up to normal operating temperature, something that could lead to rusting and other corrosion in areas that it wouldn't normally happen.

Stebani

I suppose there's no way I could check that out during the viewing?

Hermione_Granger wrote: »

it's possible that the engine and exhaust rarely, if ever got up to normal operating temperature, something that could lead to rusting and other corrosion in areas that it wouldn't normally happen.

ttoli

I have owned one for the last 4 years , great little car , very good on petrol, very comfortable.

mollycat

Stebani wrote: »

I suppose there's no way I could check that out during the viewing?

You're going to look underneath it before buying I assume?

Seeing how rusty the exhaust is should be straightforward enough.

I always wear old clothes/take an old blanket to lie on when looking at cars.

Looking it the inside of the oil filler cap for "mayonaise" would be a sign of frequent short journeys, but you kind of know that from the MOT history, (unless it's done the very occaisional long journey and sat completely unused for days on end).

Lack of use would be a possible concern, but not a deal breaker if it runs/drives okay.

Had anancient Proton which was a Mitsibuishi Colt "in disguise"; bombproof but possibly not relevant to you 20 years down thge line

Too pricey for me though, I swim in shallower waters!

EdGasketTheSecond

Its a trader masquerading as a private seller.


Check the log book details carefully. How long does the seller say they have owned the car?