Car advice

Pythagorous

CoastingHatbox said:

Timing belt should probably be changed on account of age.

Given that the engine bay looks okay, in that there are no random cables strewn about, no obviously missing or fractured hoses, I would be checking the engine oil.

Is it filled to the right level?
Is it over full? If it is over full I would reject it as that is a sign that fuel or coolant has been leaking into the crank case.
Is it grey or mayonaisey? That would be a sign of a head gasket leak, cracked crank case or some other serious type of coolant problem.
Is it overly thick and sludgy? A sign that the vehicle hasn't been serviced as regularly as needed.
Does it smell particularly dieselly? (Guessing diesel by the presence of a blower). If it does, then that's a sign its been used for short trips or there is a fuelling problem. Or scored bores/cracked pistons/prematurely worn piston rings.
Finally, if you wipe the dipstick with your fingers and rup the oil between your thumb and forefinger, do you feel any small pieces of metal?

If that checks out, I would squeeze the hoses too and from the radiator to make sure they are still supple. If they are hard, then that is another sign it's been in a harsh environment. That means you need to factor in some slighthly higher maintenance costs, as you will probably be replacing those hoses, fuel filler neck, flexible fuel lines and brake hoses sooner than you other wise would.

Also look around the engine bay for any signs of coolant leaks - they tend to leave a whiteish/blueish/greenish marks behind.

What has drawn you to this particular car? I must admit, I wouldn't be too keen on a French car of that age/mileage. That's as an owner of a 4.5 year old Peugeot with 37k on the clock. It's only saving grace is that it is a van, and honestly I long since came to the conclusion all vans are rubbish so I didn't mind buying a French one. But I have to say, it has done nothing to change my mind about French cars.

My two penneth anyway.

Great reply thank you!

photome

Those wheels would put me off. Anyone who drives around with wheels like that obviously doesn’t care about the car

forgotmyname

Dealers bought it from the auctions and paid too much so he will probably have little profit to actually repair stuff which
means he is selling as is.

If anything goes wrong they may not have the profit in the car to offer any repairs.

motorguy

Pythagorous said:

motorguy said:

Pythagorous said:

Hi all,
I'm looking at buying this 7 year old second had car, but I'm concerned about the engine which looks very rough and the alloy wheels which are all badly scraped (I'm told I should be able to get them refurbed looking really well for about £300). Thoughts appreciated! 

As per other comments, how it drives, service history, maintenancy history are more important.  

I'm surprised a dealer has a 7 year old car presented like that on their forecourt to be honest.

What about things like timing belt?  Has it one and is it due / overdue a change?

Thank you! No, timing belt hasn't been done. Apparently they need done @ 90K miles (there's 70K on this). Tbf to the dealer, it had just arrived.

As others have put also, check the age the belt should be changed at, often it will need changed by age before it needs changed by miles.

born_again

CoastingHatbox said:

Is it grey or mayonaisey? That would be a sign of a head gasket leak, cracked crank case or some other serious type of coolant problem.

Or has spent a lot of it's life doing short trips, that do not allow the moisture to be burnt off.

donemedosh

You say it drives well,sounds ok. You have a warrenty. If you like it get it & do not worry about timing belts etc. My brother in law bought a 3 yr old car from a dealer drove it home & went to start it 30min later dead as a dodo.Dealer took a week to fix. If the price is right & your instinct says the dealer is ok go with it. As an example I have a 2001 Zafira cost £500 (from a car auction) 7years ago I use it every day for work (self employed) I have never had it serviced or belts replaced & in 7 years it has cost less than £800 in repairs (tyres,exhaust etc) & I didn't even get to test drive it. Hope this helps.

neilmcl

jobdone1 said:

Walk away in my view. It's wheels alone says it's not been looked after especially as it's only seven years old. Plenty of other second hand cars 

Well that's not really the case at the moment given the state of the used car market.