Hi, been looking through autotrader and was wondering if I should avoid cars that have been on sale for some time (say 1 week or more)?. Some are easy to avoid i.e sports cars with high millage boy racer type mods ect.
Now I'm only spending £1500 so I cant be to fussy the cars I'm looking for are S40/V40 or maybe a passat would these cars maybe not sell fast?. I've only got a short time over in England to buy which makes it even more of a risk but theres nothing I can do about that.
The cars I'm looking at are online any advice most welcome.
Cheers. Jon
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December isn't the busiest month (probably the slowest?) for used cars, so a couple of weeks to shift a good car isn't unusual.
The ones that sell fast are probably good condition smallish diesels which are underpriced and legitimate.
If you are taking the car abroad then best you can do is look at the car with a mechanically competent friend as any faults will be difficult to pusue afterwards, especially with a private sale.
Do you intend to visit any of these online sales?
Perhaps some dealer trade-ins with FSH that are too cheap for them to do anything with maybe worth a look - if you can get them before they are sent to auction or sold on to a small independent.
How long do you have to look?
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The car market is slow at the moment. I know a few people who've taken a month to sell various cars and none were rough or overpriced. I wouldn't pay any attention to how long its been on sale - just check the car carefully when you look at it, and make your decision on that. In fact, if it's been on sale a while you might get a bargain. I've taken silly offers on cars I've needed out the way before - try your luck.
Don't automatically avoid high milers. I'd rather own a 10 yr old 120,000 mile car with a service history and a caring owner than a 10 yr old 30,000 miler that's only ever been to the shops and back in its life and never been serviced. Condition and running state of the car is everything, and if you can find a service history, mores the better.
Avoid anything bodykitted or "boy racered", otherwise go and look at anything that takes your fancy.
Cheers
DP
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04 Grand Scenic 1.9 dCi Dynamique
00 Mondeo 1.8TD LX
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Thanks guys great advise, I'll be leaving on the 12th Dec and will have maybe 4 days so maybe a couple of days before I go I might try to arrange some viewings of cars that have been in autotrader a while, got nothing to lose and like you said maybe I will be able to get the price down. My Dads an engineer (not car) but he will be able to spot any major fualts. I have also made a hit list of things to look for on the models I'm hoping to buy.
I do want to try and get full service history I agree with the millage theory as long as its around 100k to 130k and like you said has full history and the cam belts been change.
"Perhaps some dealer trade-ins with FSH that are too cheap for them to do anything with maybe worth a look - if you can get them before they are sent to auction or sold on to a small independent."
What do you mean buy dealer trade-ins where should I be looking for such cars (sorry not very clued up on buying from dealers could you give a litttl more info). And maybe what sort of cars might be a bergains or at least won't brake down the minute I drive away.
I just want something that will last 3-4 years and I don't want anything fancy thats why I thought maybe a Volvo as there will be a fair amount at the scrap yards in Sweden so hopfully cheap parts.
Thanks for replys. Jon
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Some main dealers will get sub £2k cars traded in for new/used cars.
These are often too low in price for many dealers for them to waste forecourt space (or even space around the back for too long).
So they will often put them to auction or they have arrangements with other smaller independent dealers who will buy them (and add a mark up as they have to cover the risks).
Some of these cars will be full of faults, others will perfectly OK with FSH etc.
Give your Volvo dealer a call and ask has he any cheap trade ins that he is willing for you to look at.
You may not get any warranty but it will be cheap. If you see such cars, you will need a mechanically minded friend and you'll need to look beyond the scratches and untidy carpets etc carefully at the mechanical bits.
Some more generous main dealers may even correct some faults if the price is right and sell you a basic 1 yr warranty for £100...all for under £2k.
A FSH with all the paperwork, a good test drive and going over by mechanic friend is best bet. With any car inspection, go with a check list of things to look for (available from many net sites incl this one I think) and work your way through them. Don't just think that it drives Ok and looks Ok that it is OK, you need to be methodical. Walk way from anything that smokes or has signs of heavy accident damage. Beware of those private buyers who say "I'll repair that before you pick it up", many will, but some will just "paper over the cracks".
Finally - if going to Sweden don't worry about the tyres, you'll have to buy new winter ones there anyway! Not sure what you can do about the engine block heater (needed in Sweden, espec. North) , maybe that can be fitted later?
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Thanks again, I'll try a dealer worth a shot if nothing comes up that looks good in Autotrader or Loot or whatever. I have a lot of info to referr to on possible problem but I will also try and get a check list.
"engine block heater (needed in Sweden, espec. North)"hmm whats that I assume something that warms the engine before starting?. I live right down south so the weather is normally o.k but can still get very cold.
Thanks again for the info much appreciated.
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Pardon me if I've missed something here.... but you're buying a cheap (presumably RHD?) to drive in Sweden for 3-4 years, you want it all sorted in a week. Isn't the risk you'll end up with something that will need work & need to be registered or MOT'd (or checked in some way for compliance in Sweden) for driving over there? Even though you're living in the south of Sweden, it can (from my experience) be very cold/snowy for long periods. What advantages do you see to buying in the UK?
Lots of negs. imho:
- not LHD
- an old car 'used to' English winters
- maybe parts or service issues with an 'imported' spec model.
- possible tax/compliance or insurance problems
- you're 'sorting out' period (for any potential problems) is very short
- there are probably many more suitable, local cars in Sweden.
- Swedish public transport is excellent & cheap - take your time to source a local car
& take the bus/tram/train.
Buy in haste, repair at leisure... Lycka till!
Edited by woodbines on 03/12/2007 at 16:35
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The problem here in Sweden is the high price of used cars. The UK prices look very attractive, but of course there are downsides. If you need an engine heater (motorvarmerer) you can have one fitted for about £300 plus the interior fan heater.
The advantage to buying here is higher residuals, usually a second set of rims with winter tyres, and an engine heater. Plus of course, it's LHD.
You need winter tyres from yesterday, although as a 'tourist' they're not required by law. But you'd be mad not to get them, as when winter hits, even in the warmer south, you'll not get 10 yards up the road without getting stuck or crashing.
Hej då!
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I sold my Volvo S40 TD last week. It took good three weeks or so for me to sell it. Being a big car not many people are interested in it and those who used to come to see it, would used to offer some silly money. But at the end a chap bought at the price I wanted and he was planning to take it to Poland where he's originally from!
If you look for Volvo, be certain to check the 1st and reverse gear.
Let us know what you get at the end?
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well there cheaper and I mean a lot cheaper I've had two cars from the uk before driven over to Sweden got them taxed,MoT,registerd,insured.
Never had a problem with the weather even when I lived up north. I've been driving in Sweden for 5 years with U.K cars.
I dont care about it being RHD in fact I'm so used to driving a RHD its much easyer for me. I'm not going to sell the car so not bothered if its not worth much when I get it here.
Not really shore about an engine heater never had one before dont even now what thay are lol.
I am English so its also a trip home to see family friends I want to source a car within 4 days but can stay as long as it takes. The only downside is spare parts but that all depends on what go's wrong thats the chance I will take.
Tak
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"I sold my Volvo S40 TD last week. It took good three weeks or so for me to sell it. Being a big car not many people are interested in it and those who used to come to see it, would used to offer some silly money. But at the end a chap bought at the price I wanted and he was planning to take it to Poland where he's originally from!
If you look for Volvo, be certain to check the 1st and reverse gear.
Let us know what you get at the end?"
cheers I will take note of what you said.
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