Why so cheap?

Dazed_and_C0nfused

rca779 said:

Dazed_and_C0nfused said:

Is it this one?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505092213919

Yep that's it. We've put a holding deposit down and we're just off to see it

What do you think?

I would be interested to know what the damage on the (previous?) front bumper was.  Could be something and nothing but presumably not just a scratch or two to have been mentioned on the MOT report?

And what @paul_c123 said

rca779

Yes the I noticed the front bumper damage on the MOT, that's one of my questions 

rca779

Very disappointing,  we didn't get to view the car as it was off site despite me reserving it and twice confirming when we were planning to view it.  Luckily I called the garage before leaving home.

Apparently they were fixing the drivers window, but didn't think about calling me  😱

Grey_Critic

Could ask for a NEW INDEPENDENT MOT - The current one was 3 months ago

Brie

How old is your son?  I would be checking how much this is going to cost you/him to insure.  If it's red and looks racy then it will be a significant annual fee.  Might be better to get something cheaper and uglier.

fatbelly

I don't think the insurance will be too bad for what it is, which is a fast diesel hatchback with 134bhp.

I think though that you have already had some red flags from that dealer and should probably be looking elsewhere

Grumpy_chap

The thing to do is to compare this car to other £4k cars and assess whether it is better or worse, not to compare to other 2017 Astras.

At £4k many cars will have had some damage or other.

It is worth considering whether, as a new driver, the OP's son will do enough miles of the correct type to avoid diesel DPF etc issues that can arise from lots of local journeys.

rca779

Brie said:

How old is your son?  I would be checking how much this is going to cost you/him to insure.  If it's red and looks racy then it will be a significant annual fee.  Might be better to get something cheaper and uglier.

Son is 25, insurance isn't too bad, about £600

GrumpyDil

Have you looked at their trust pilot reviews? I'm always a little sceptical about reviews but the reviews for this site would have me running for the hills, however cheap the car.

angrycrow

There's clearly an underlying reason it's cheap.

First standout is front bumper and bonnet damage bad enough to be mentioned on several MOT that previous keeper did not bother fixing. 

Last change of keeper 16/04/2025 but untaxed since same date. Suggests a garage sold it 16/04/2025 and it was then rejected and went back on sale. 

This garage have had it on sale since 09/05/2025 and it's not shifted. 

They just want it gone most likely for what it owes them. 

Personally would not touch it with somebody else's barge pole.