Looking to buy an old volvo, help please.

foreverskint

Hi all,

I've, seen a Volvo 740 GLT on ebay that I might be interested in buying. The guys done some work on it, including a de-coke, replacing exhaust valves, timing belt and so on. He says it has a slight misfire in tickover still.
Now I know it's an old car, but it's all my budget can stretch to for a second car at the moment. Just wondering if before I go all the way to view it first, if there is anything I should ask bearing in mind the work he has done. I've been warned by a friend that all this work he's done could signify that there is a deeper problem with the car.

Any help appreciated:D

nickinoo

Do you have any mechanic friends that can help you? I have always been too scared to buy privately.

cc25

I've just looked at the car on ebay (item 4557406729). I would ask the seller why he wants to sell the car after spending £350 on parts, and scores of hours of his own time, to repair the car! He'll be lucky to get his money back.

You'd have to be prepared to take some risk on a 16 year old car, even if it has only done 97,000 miles. If you need to pay a garage to carry out repairs, the cost may well exceed the value of the car.

If you're on a limited budget, why not consider a car like a Mark 1 Mondeo estate? OK, its not a Volvo, but it will be much cheaper to insure and repair. A 10 year old Mondeo estate (N reg) with 100K miles is only worth around £500. Assuming it has a service history, and has been well looked after, it should last a few more years.

Having said that, the description of the car seems honest enough, the seller has good feedback, and the misfire at idle could be a simple repair. At the right price, the car could be a good buy. An awful lot of "coulds" - that's second hand car buying for you - not for the faint hearted at this end of the market.

I can recommend the "Bangernomics - The world of cheap motoring" website for useful advice on running a car on a tight budget.