The in-be-teener

I am 17 years old and I am looking to buy a car. I have found a 1997R Honda Civic that has had 3 previous owners and looks in very good nick. It has done 111,000 miles, with a full service history up to 84,000 miles. It is up for sale at a garage for £1,295 with a 3 month warranty, is this a good price to pay? If not how do I ‘knock’ him down? Can you please advise me this will be my first car.

Asked on 24 October 2009 by

Answered by Honest John

This is banger territory. The garage will have paid between £200 and £600 for the car, so what you are buying is an assurance that it’s okay and the garage is gambling its profit that it doesn’t have to spend it fixing the car in those 3 months. It it’s an insured 3 month warranty it’s probably completely worthless. When buying a 12 year old car originally designed to last 7 years you don’t have the same consumer rights as when buying a 3 year old.

Tags: buying cheap cars learner drivers first cars

Dear Honest John,

Please help me choose my next car. I would like it to have:

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