Toying with the idea of buying a 'new' Beetle - is this a good idea?

I have toyed with idea of buying an old-ish Volkswagen Beetle as second car for fun, maybe for 4000 miles a year. I have seen a 2003 2.0 petrol manual with genuine 16000 miles although I'm sure when the timing belt was done. Are there any issues to watch out for, eg. suspension bushes? The MoT is out as the owner only did 500 miles a year! The car would cost me £1250, possibly less.

Asked on 24 December 2016 by edward russell

Answered by Honest John
Here are the goods and bads for this Beetle: www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/volkswagen/beetle-19.../ Also worth a look at the goods and bads for the Golf V: www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/volkswagen/golf-v-20.../

£1250 is cheap enough.
Dear Honest John,

Please help me choose my next car. I would like it to have:
    Select a few terms below
Similar questions
I am going to view a 60 reg Renault Grand Scenic tomorrow. The dealer says it only has one service history dated 2012 and the mileage is 36,000 miles. The cost of the car is £4,995, reduced from £5,495....
I've agreed a price with a private seller for a car I want to buy and am happy to proceed with the sale. They've asked me to pay by bank transfer and I can collect as soon as it's cleared. As the amount...
How should a contract be worded for the purchase of a private second hand car and what details should be included?
 

Value my car

Save £75 on Warranty using code HJ75

with MotorEasy

Get a warranty quote

Save 12% on GAP Insurance

Use HJ21 to save on an ALA policy

See offer