Second Hand Cars - Best Avoided?

Joey122mac · 29-07-2006, 20:30

Just wondering what people on this forum do when buying a second hand car?

Do people go by number of owners? Service history ? Mileage?

Generally a visual and road inspection gives some idea of the car but doesnt tell you that one month down the line you get all osrts of problems .

What would be the max age people buy a second hand car? Would you always buy through a dealer>

**mannyo** · 29-07-2006, 20:34

To me, number of owners or mileage are unimportant. Most important for newer cars especially are Service History, and if you can get to see the V5 find out how long the previous owner had the car.

For example my Mondeo has 155,000 miles on the clock, but very few owners for a 9 yr old car. The owner before me had the car 2 years.

**robmawer** · 29-07-2006, 20:38

Overall condition of the vehicle is the main criteria I judge on.

Number of owners is useful, as if it's particularly high it's possible that it's a bit of a dog of a car that people get shot of.
Mileage and age affect the value, but if the overall condition is OK, it's not really a factor.
Service history is a good thing (shows the car's been looked after), personally I'd be happy buying a car without service history if condition of the car was OK and I could use it to negotiate the price, though "industry experts" always advise going for cars with FSH...it does depend on the car you're buying though, if it's a £200 Fiesta wouldn't worry about it too much.

There's no way of knowing one month down the line if something's going to go wrong - is part of the gamble of cars, old or new. If you buy new you have the comfort of the manufacturer's warranty, if you buy second hand you either risk it or get a warranty from a third party.

Buying through a dealer will give you more security than buying private, but it will cost you more as a result.

Rob.

Joey122mac · 29-07-2006, 20:41

How much more going throug the dealer then buying private - Look at Parkers a skoda fabia 2001 is provate good 2700 - Dealer 2950

Not much in it I would say?

Lummox · 29-07-2006, 20:44

My Polo came with no service book or history.

But I gave the car a good check over and it seemed ok. Got into work after buying it, checked dialogue (VW/Audi system where all dealer services get logged) and its had every annual and major service done, bonus!

**robmawer** · 29-07-2006, 20:46

Those are just guide prices though...whether you could get those prices buying privately or going to a dealer would be another matter...

If it's bought as a Skoda Approved Used car then you'll get a 1 year warranty, if bought outside this scheme at a dealer, you should get a 30 day warranty. Buying privately, you get nothing...as to the actual price difference you could get, until you start haggling with people you won't know!

Rob.

Chris GB · 29-07-2006, 22:47

Hi

Buying used is OK as long as you know what you are doing. Generally, you are looking to see a car where there are no signs of damage, good evidence of servicing and one that is generally well kept.

Cars to avoid are IMO ones that have been neglected. I would prefer to see 4 worn good quality tyres of the same type than a mixture or new cheapo ones as this indicates the owner could afford to run it properly and also gives you the opportunity to spot any problems with geometry. A full service history is nice, but not essentail as some (fewer and fewer these days) will do a good job of servicing the car themselves or at local garages.

Above all, research the car you intend to buy. Know about weak areas and known issues with the particualr model you are looking at.

I have bought a largish number of used cars over the years (some to trade, others to use) and only once bought a lemon. It was a Metro Turbo, the worst car I ever owned. Should have done my research, would never have bought one if I had.

Chris

P-A · 01-08-2006, 14:25

I'd say that it makes a lot of sense to buy second hand. Why buy new, when someone else can take the depreciation hit for you? There's also a good chance that any initial problems have been sorted by the previous owner. In my opinion the best age to buy a car is around 12 to 18 months.

I'd say that condition of the car, service history, mileage and number of owners are all important. The importance of each varies depending on the age of a car. For example, on a car under 3 years old then the number of previous owners is more important (more owners equals lower value when you come to sell the car). Service history is important, however this is often all computerised so you can probably get a print out from a dealer. If buying a 1-2 year old car you don't have to worry too much about the car because the remaining warranty will sort any problems.

Dmac1969 · 01-08-2006, 16:26

I'd say definately buy a nearly new 18 month to 2 year old car from a dealer with a years warranty left to run , and when the warranty runs out , extend it for as long as you can! Look at my Fabia and its £600 steering rack bill....this just 5 weeks after the used car warranty ran out (and I didnt get a letter asking me to renew , I wish I had!!) Any car older than 3 yrs old is a gamble now , for IMO cars are not built to be fixed cheaply anymore , they are built to be cheap to make at the factory , not fix at the dealer , all a car manufacturer wants is to spend as little as possible on making their cars , and rake in as much as possible thru servicing and repairs.

KentStu · 01-08-2006, 16:50

Buy second hand private with some warranty left and you can get some great deals. You get private prices but with the backstop of warranty cover if anything manifests itself quickly.

Other than that the things I check quickly are:
- service history
- type of person (bit vague but there are some types I would never buy off - those full of bull, boy racers, wide boys etc)
- mileage - more type of mileage (i.e. motorway or not) than absolute as high mileage in a year and a half wouldn't worry me too much as its likely to be mainly motorways.

I also get an AA check - might spot something and can usually be used as a bargaining tool on price as well.

29-07-2006, 20:30	#1
Joey122mac Briskodian Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 339 Members Car: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Second Hand Cars - Best Avoided? Just wondering what people on this forum do when buying a second hand car? Do people go by number of owners? Service history ? Mileage? Generally a visual and road inspection gives some idea of the car but doesnt tell you that one month down the line you get all osrts of problems . What would be the max age people buy a second hand car? Would you always buy through a dealer>

29-07-2006, 20:34	#2
mannyo BRISKODA Staff Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Stevenage Herts. Posts: 11,625 Members Car: Octavia 2.0 TDi Elegance Thanks: 60 Thanked 393 Times in 362 Posts	Re: Second Hand Cars - Best Avoided? To me, number of owners or mileage are unimportant. Most important for newer cars especially are Service History, and if you can get to see the V5 find out how long the previous owner had the car. For example my Mondeo has 155,000 miles on the clock, but very few owners for a 9 yr old car. The owner before me had the car 2 years. __________________ Manny 2005 Octavia 2.0TDi Elegance combi my skoda website http://www.octaviars.co.uk Join the briskoda.net folding team click Here for more info

29-07-2006, 20:38	#3
robmawer Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Rochdale Posts: 12,476 Members Car: Octavia 1.6 Ambiente Thanks: 2 Thanked 75 Times in 68 Posts	Re: Second Hand Cars - Best Avoided? Overall condition of the vehicle is the main criteria I judge on. Number of owners is useful, as if it's particularly high it's possible that it's a bit of a dog of a car that people get shot of. Mileage and age affect the value, but if the overall condition is OK, it's not really a factor. Service history is a good thing (shows the car's been looked after), personally I'd be happy buying a car without service history if condition of the car was OK and I could use it to negotiate the price, though "industry experts" always advise going for cars with FSH...it does depend on the car you're buying though, if it's a £200 Fiesta wouldn't worry about it too much. There's no way of knowing one month down the line if something's going to go wrong - is part of the gamble of cars, old or new. If you buy new you have the comfort of the manufacturer's warranty, if you buy second hand you either risk it or get a warranty from a third party. Buying through a dealer will give you more security than buying private, but it will cost you more as a result. Rob. __________________

29-07-2006, 20:41	#4
Joey122mac Briskodian Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 339 Members Car: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Second Hand Cars - Best Avoided? How much more going throug the dealer then buying private - Look at Parkers a skoda fabia 2001 is provate good 2700 - Dealer 2950 Not much in it I would say?

29-07-2006, 20:44	#5
Lummox Partner Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Newport Pagnell Posts: 22,942 Members Car: Mk2 Golf GTi 16v and building a 20VT MK2. Images: 2 Thanks: 29 Thanked 829 Times in 698 Posts	Re: Second Hand Cars - Best Avoided? My Polo came with no service book or history. But I gave the car a good check over and it seemed ok. Got into work after buying it, checked dialogue (VW/Audi system where all dealer services get logged) and its had every annual and major service done, bonus! __________________ www.unit18.co.uk Remapping Service now available, PM for details.

29-07-2006, 20:46	#6
robmawer Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Rochdale Posts: 12,476 Members Car: Octavia 1.6 Ambiente Thanks: 2 Thanked 75 Times in 68 Posts	Re: Second Hand Cars - Best Avoided? Those are just guide prices though...whether you could get those prices buying privately or going to a dealer would be another matter... If it's bought as a Skoda Approved Used car then you'll get a 1 year warranty, if bought outside this scheme at a dealer, you should get a 30 day warranty. Buying privately, you get nothing...as to the actual price difference you could get, until you start haggling with people you won't know! Rob. __________________

29-07-2006, 22:47	#7
Chris GB Briskodian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: East UK Posts: 2,612 Members Car: Mini Cooper D Thanks: 19 Thanked 53 Times in 31 Posts	Re: Second Hand Cars - Best Avoided? Hi Buying used is OK as long as you know what you are doing. Generally, you are looking to see a car where there are no signs of damage, good evidence of servicing and one that is generally well kept. Cars to avoid are IMO ones that have been neglected. I would prefer to see 4 worn good quality tyres of the same type than a mixture or new cheapo ones as this indicates the owner could afford to run it properly and also gives you the opportunity to spot any problems with geometry. A full service history is nice, but not essentail as some (fewer and fewer these days) will do a good job of servicing the car themselves or at local garages. Above all, research the car you intend to buy. Know about weak areas and known issues with the particualr model you are looking at. I have bought a largish number of used cars over the years (some to trade, others to use) and only once bought a lemon. It was a Metro Turbo, the worst car I ever owned. Should have done my research, would never have bought one if I had. Chris __________________ Red Fabia vRS. Gone but not forgotten. Chilli Red / white Mini Cooper Diesel with dual controls. Silver 53 MR2. Mods: PPE 4>1 manifold \| PPE Mangnaflow high flow cat \| Blueflame catback exhaust \| Pikey inlet mod \| 3.0 Racing Chassis stiffening brace kit \| BC Racing fully adjustable coilovers \| TF loud. Details here My MR2 Page

01-08-2006, 14:25	#8
P-A Briskodian Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 460 Members Car: VRS Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Second Hand Cars - Best Avoided? I'd say that it makes a lot of sense to buy second hand. Why buy new, when someone else can take the depreciation hit for you? There's also a good chance that any initial problems have been sorted by the previous owner. In my opinion the best age to buy a car is around 12 to 18 months. I'd say that condition of the car, service history, mileage and number of owners are all important. The importance of each varies depending on the age of a car. For example, on a car under 3 years old then the number of previous owners is more important (more owners equals lower value when you come to sell the car). Service history is important, however this is often all computerised so you can probably get a print out from a dealer. If buying a 1-2 year old car you don't have to worry too much about the car because the remaining warranty will sort any problems.

01-08-2006, 16:26	#9
Dmac1969 Briskodian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Berwick upon Tweed , Northumberland. Posts: 2,564 Members Car: Fabia 1.4 MPi Comfort Images: 1 Thanks: 21 Thanked 66 Times in 53 Posts	Re: Second Hand Cars - Best Avoided? I'd say definately buy a nearly new 18 month to 2 year old car from a dealer with a years warranty left to run , and when the warranty runs out , extend it for as long as you can! Look at my Fabia and its £600 steering rack bill....this just 5 weeks after the used car warranty ran out (and I didnt get a letter asking me to renew , I wish I had!!) Any car older than 3 yrs old is a gamble now , for IMO cars are not built to be fixed cheaply anymore , they are built to be cheap to make at the factory , not fix at the dealer , all a car manufacturer wants is to spend as little as possible on making their cars , and rake in as much as possible thru servicing and repairs. __________________ Duncan - England's most Northerly Briskodian! 2000/V reg Fabia 1.4 Mpi Comfort-Dynamic Blue Ex Octavia vRS and Octavia Slxi 1.8T.

01-08-2006, 16:50	#10
KentStu Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Canterbury, Kent Posts: 1,906 Members Car: Yellow Octy RS Thanks: 4 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Second Hand Cars - Best Avoided? Buy second hand private with some warranty left and you can get some great deals. You get private prices but with the backstop of warranty cover if anything manifests itself quickly. Other than that the things I check quickly are: - service history - type of person (bit vague but there are some types I would never buy off - those full of bull, boy racers, wide boys etc) - mileage - more type of mileage (i.e. motorway or not) than absolute as high mileage in a year and a half wouldn't worry me too much as its likely to be mainly motorways. I also get an AA check - might spot something and can usually be used as a bargaining tool on price as well. __________________ Stu Yellow Octy RS & '58 Morris Minor Tourer Owner .......... not a hairdresser

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