VW Polo 1.4L

jimbo_the_jetset

Tips for looking at a car (without much knowledge)

a) check tyre wear (4 new tyres may almost cost as much as car)
b) check it starts ok from cold (touch bonnet when you arrive to check they haven't warmed it up)
c) listen for any unusual sounds, does it sound ok for the age or really rough
d) test drive at different speeds (e.g. round estate and up 60mph on dual carriageway). TEST BRAKES by braking hard holding loosely onto steering wheel, does it stop in a straight line or pull to one side (bad)
e) check suspension is ok by pushing each corner down. If it keeps bouncing then they are shot
f) check all electrics work on test drive by puching every button
g) check paperwork with car. Recepts of work done would be great so you know what has been replaced in the past and how recently
h) check for rust, especially around the wheel arch
i) check there is a spare wheel and tools to change tyre (and condition)

There is probably more but I should really get back to work.

At the end of the day £300 for a p reg VW seems a bargain, they are known as well built cars and if it is from a trusted friend they would surely not sell you a lemon

Hope this helps, good luck, let us know

Keith

anewman wrote: »

I think I got the calculator out to see if this would be worthwhile (as I use ecarinsurance), and it worked out cheaper to pay the full year. It's just a case of three quotes anyway. Compare one year, with monthly X 8 + monthly with 1 year NCB X 4. But if paying monthly is more convenient then it could be a good choice but the NCB earned may not be accepted by another insurer as it's not been earned over the specified periods.

It's acceptable to others because Ecar & Ebike put it down as years NCB and not on a monthly scale like Direct Line and the like do.

The way you have to consider it, if you do it yearly is...

Year 1 - 2007-2008 - You policy would benefit from 0 NCB
Year 2 - 2008 - 2009 - You policy would benefit from 1 Years discount
Year 3 - 2009 - 2010 - You policy would benefit from 2 years discount.

Using the PAYG policy
Policy Starting January 2007 you have 0 NCB
By September of 2007 you'd have 1 years NCB,
By May of 2008 you'd have 2 years NCB
By January 2009 you'd have 3 years NCB.

fatbelly

Just did a search for insurance for the OH on that Polo I mentioned a few posts ago and changed a few details to match what we know about you - Quinn Direct came out significantly cheaper than the others (just over £400 for 3PFT but we live in a cheap area) for someone with no driving history.

Worth a look.

i_wanna_save_money!

fatbelly wrote: »

Just did a search for insurance for the OH on that Polo I mentioned a few posts ago and changed a few details to match what we know about you - Quinn Direct came out significantly cheaper than the others (just over £400 for 3PFT but we live in a cheap area) for someone with no driving history.

Worth a look.

Hi,
Thanks for that. You must live in a VERY cheap area! My quote came in at £1374.58. I can't believe how much insurance actually costs!

msmicawber

It's because you're a new driver without a history, so insurers assume the worst. Once you've been driving for a while and have accrued some no claims bonus, the cost reduces dramatically. Although the Polo is a great car, and such a bargain too, I think you'd be better off at first having a car with a smaller engine until you've got a few years' NCB racked up.