MB A class 180 petrol auto vs BMW 1 auto petrol, first car

UnsureAboutthis

Hello

As the title states, a nephew of mine is considering thos cars, good years appear to be late 1016 and 2017, and within his budget of 13k to max of 15k

Both have timimg chains and auto boxes appear to be ok/good. He will look out for cars ideals sub 40k mile but may have to consider up to 50k miles, 2/3 ownners not rented out and decent service history

Most newer small cars appear to have wet belts and auto boxes not great and if the go wrong they cost loads.The wet belts need proper oil change history and most people feel should be changed at 4/5 years instead of 6 - though garages I've read have a tool to check the conditon of the wet belt

He has checked road tax and insurance/etc

Any comments/help please re above or alternatives - he will consider 2 door cars as well

Edit: I told him about the mazda Skyactive engines and auto boxes from about 2020 cx30 and IIR c30 - but over 15/ and not really for him as he is 18.

Grumpy_chap

Paying £15k for a 10 yo car is crazy.

Vehicle age is as much a contributor to repair bills as mileage.

In fact a 10 yo car with 40k miles might suffer issues from under use. 10 yo car with 100 k miles might be just as good

UnsureAboutthis

Underuse - this is why he is going for petrol cars. 50 k miles over 10 years is actually higher mileage in cities where many work from home, use public transport to ge tto work, etc.

I too was staggered re price of older cars but that's inflation, and cars generally do last a lot, lot longer.

Anyone?

paul_c123

Merc A Class all day long, its just so much better……

UnsureAboutthis

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82034414#Comment_82034414

ok, but why and which year/engine, etc.? What mileage would you buy at -

daveyjp

Usual advice. Its a ten year old car which are expensive to repair. Find a good one with lots or paper work and have a slush fund for inevitable repairs.

In reality at 18 he has plenty of years to get into a decent car, better to buy something cheap and useable, rather than gambling on a money pit.

Grumpy_chap

Well, at 18 yo, paying out £15k for a car is a lot. It certainly won't be good for him to get into debt to do this. However, if he has earned the money and has secure future income and no other use for the money now so he is only left with the option of paying out for a car, he can get something far newer by ditching the desire for the badge. Maybe like this:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603251007117

That's probably less like to become a money pit so quickly as a 10 yo car.

QrizB

Out of interest, has he got an insurance quote for either of those cars?

I remember my son's first car was a 1.2 Micra and that was still four figures to insure!

WellKnownSid

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82034754#Comment_82034754

Popular cars in the supermarket drag strip are generally expensive. At 18, my son's second car was a large brown five cylinder Volvo estate - worked out cheaper than the 1 litre Polo!

Arunmor

Who is paying for this car?

jimjames

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82034801#Comment_82034801

Same here for my sons V6 compared to Corsa