Big banger theory

I am looking at buying a car in the £1,000 range - banger level. I have seen a Audi 80 estate TDI, 1995 on an M plate. Listed as having FSH, have seen the car in the flesh and looks OK for 148,000 miles. It’s listed at £1,095. My instinct says I'm better off buying slightly older but better quality, rather than the usual Rover 25s/Escorts which are more recent but less reliable. What would your thoughts be? I have noted your recent comments to the chap who paid £1,200 for a Citroen and then complained that the A/C didn't work.

Asked on 19 December 2009 by

Answered by Honest John

Your instincts aren't my instincts. I rate Fords as the best built, most reliable cars for the first 10 years or so, costing the least to run. Warranty Direct warranty claim figures back this up. After 10 years old, everything is a banger. But parts for a banger that originally cost £20,000 will be a lot dearer than parts for a banger that originally cost £10,000.

Tags: warranty direct buying used cars reliability

Dear Honest John,

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

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