January 2019
Hi,
Looking for some advice, having been rear-ended yesterday by a delivery van - I realise no one will know for sure, as I don’t have photos, nor do I know the extent of the damage, but any advice gratefully received. Liability shouldn’t be an issue.
I’ve never been involved in an accident of this type, so am unsure if there are any questions I should be asking when the car’s damage is assessed? I was hit at 20-30 mph, so there is significant damage to the rear, but the boot opens. The rear bumper is completely destroyed and the rear part of the exhaust also looks damaged. My car has a value of about £20,000, so I’m hoping this will mean it can be fixed. I know nothing of crumple zones, but assume this may protect the overall structure of the car? I also want to ensure that it’s future resale value is not impacted by having had a significant accident.
Just worried at the moment!
Thank you. Read more
I've come to expect a lot from here !
... Read more
How long is a piece of string?
The multimode auto is an automated manual, and are never something anyone on this forum would recommend you buy, at least not 2nd hand. I would suggest you do not buy....
So after lurking on these forums for a few months now I finally felt confident enough to inspect and test drive my first potential car today a 2013 Honda Civic.
For the most part it went well but I did notice a few issues.... Read more
Low annual mileage is not ideal as it can mean its been run cold for short journeys which can rust exhausts and can increase wear to the engine. Personally if the car is otherwise OK and its been serviced as per Avant's point, I wouldn't rule it out. But I would never pay a premium for low miles.
After all buying a seven year old car will necessitate a degree of compromise. You will never find the perfect car, just the most acceptable.
As to some of your other points -
While I suggest approved used is worth looking for, don't expect them to proactively address every cosmetic issue. They will only bring the car up to a selling standard, not a perfect one. As you say minor items can be a negotiating point.
Its probably better to buy at month end but its not a deciding factor. You might even get a better price as another month is added to its time in stock. Swings and roundabouts....
As for the "what would it take" question that's really one for you as it depends on whats holding you back. If it were me I'd take the "Well it has to start with a 6" approach. On the £7.5k example they will have a bit of room but they have to pay for fancy showrooms, consumer rights costs, any immediate repairs etc so don't expect a huge amount off.
The spec hardly changed through this model's life. Some minor suspension tweaks at some point are the main one I recall.
Don't get too hung up on price in isolation. Get looking at cars in the metal, not just in ads, and you will find that there is a wide variation in quality at the same price point. For example a good car at £7.5k is not expensive against an apparently similar one at £7k if the first has new tyres, brakes, shocks and a Honda service history and the second one needs these doing. I know this is already part of your approach, so keep thinking that way.
Good luck!
My daughters Kia Picanto makes a strange clicking sound when she switches her lights on,and the car is running.Switch them off and the sound stops.Never heard this before.Any ideas. Read more
Is the noise inside the cabin or under the bonnet?
Hi all,
I’ve got a 2013 golf that’s been sitting off road and hasn’t been started in approx 1 year.
I’ve had a couple of people tell me that it will be fine just to jump start the car and see what happens and I’ve had a couple tell me that I should drain oil and fuel and install new battery before starting it for the first time.
I’m guessing the best option would be to get it towed to the nearest vw garage and get them to do a full service with new tyres etc but I’m quite restrained by budget.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Read more
Call the AA and gett its jump-started as it will be flat due to all the electronics. GIve it a full service: oil, air and fuel filter + cabin filter. Change all fluids: brake fluid, engine oil and coolant.
Once up and running go for a fast and high-speed test drive of 30miles or so, frequently changing gears and revving the engine to 5000 rpm (where practical and safe). Check the brakes as they will have surface corrosion, also check all the drive belts. ...
Hi folks, My car just died on me today. I was coming up a hill on the way home and decided to give it a little extra 'juice' as the road was empty. Got to about 4k revs then I heard a clunk sound, immediate loss of power and smoke bellowing out of the car (seemed to be white/blue colour). There was also a really strong burning smell, so much so, that I thought something had caught fire. I managed to get to the top of the hill the coasted down to the bottom of the road where I pulled over and switched it off. I noticed a red oil pressure warning came on too, that was the only dashboard light I noticed. Car would not start again, so I had to lock it up and walk the rest of the way home. I am thinking engine or turbo.
Any ideas what it might be? All my local mechanics have taken the day off. :( Read more
Recon engine ? EG...
Put in my petrol tank will it give me more ooooommmppphhhhh? Read more
Psst: You left the link in the title, so it’s still free advertising, and possibly for illegal wotnots. I know I suffer from old man syndrome, but I wouldn’t trust these people.
Heya guys, Would anyone be able to help me with the key code for my fiesta's radio?
The serial number is M015781... Read more
Thanks for coming back and letting us know.
I have a multi-car classic policy through one of the many specialists who advertise in the classic press. Recently one was stolen from where I stated it would be overnight (the theft was actually during the day). After putting in a claim they came back saying the car was scrap value only as it was a Cat D some years ago. This is despite having an agreed value certificate that says the full amount would be paid out in the event of a total loss regardless of its condition at time of loss. I have bills totalling approximately 150% of the agreed value over the past two years.
I was wondering what readers experience of agreed value insurance was and if anybody had experienced behaviour like this? Read more
Sorry, I should have updated you all. After many weeks with me having to provide receipts to show money had been spent on the car (last three years more than agreed value) the claim was settled in full. Having had an agreed valuation certificate endorsed by both the broker and insurance company it has left a bad taste!
OK, makes me clean the car, but I don't like rats and I'm tired of accomodating them.
Made plugs from 2 flattened beercan base disks with a matched pair of holes, joined with a ring of USB cable tied with a reef knot. ... Read more
I'm now thinking use Dexion (doubled if necessary) under the boot floor and across the wheel centre, linked with threaded rod. Should be strong enough and avoids any rope chafe worries.
I had some, but I think I might have been nagged into throwing it out........:(
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Another example
In November 1995 dad bought a 6 month old Nissan Primera, ex Nat West car. Paid £9500 which was about £4500 off list....