Dunk Posted March 6, 2003 Posted March 6, 2003 Ok heres the situation. I went to see the car i spoke about in another post today, 1.8LXi 16v Escort J reg 81,000 on the clock. Looks tidy. Sounds nice (not like its been round the clock), everything works. There are however a few defects, such as theres a slight bump in the bonnet, the rear bumper is a different colour to the other grey ones and the boot is damp. He wants £675 for it, he will put 12 months tax and mot on it, but there is mold in the boot and its a bit stiff so i should be able to knock it down a little. What black spots should I look for like the engine and stuff. just some advice needed please. Thanks in advance.Dunk
Colin Posted March 6, 2003 Posted March 6, 2003 boot is damp That means the car's been hit at the side of the fuel cap usually, and that also means the damage aint been fixed right, dead easy to fix, but a b*stard to get at. it might also mean you have leaky boot seals or rear lgihts in which case check all the electrical cable areas in the car.1.8 lx, make sure the timing belts been done recently, and at 80k + miles if it doesnt have a service history for the last few years walk away. Ow one more think, if your having problems changing from 3rd gear to 4th gear, that means the syncromesh in the box is fucked, and thats gonna be pretty much a new box and clutch to sort it properly, plus labour, and if their blue smoke from the exhasut then the piston rings are melted, and thats a sign of lack of oil changes and poor keeping of general car. One i thing I always comment on is, if a person can't even be arsed to keep their car looknig clean, then how to they look after the mechanics? Don't worry about syspension to much, as that will be getting binned soon, but use it as a "bargining point" ask him to MOT it, and you will take it, at the price he want's if it pases.......... J reg........... is that the mk6 model or mk5b?
Dunk Posted March 6, 2003 Author Posted March 6, 2003 1.8 LXi 16vits a mk5 one with the non oval grill. It has been HPI tested by him he says that he does it to all his part exchanges. It was very tidy and clean, he had only just had it in so it wasn't valeted yet. Which explains any grubbyness. As for service history, he said it aint got non. which i thought sucked.
T9BY G Posted March 6, 2003 Posted March 6, 2003 Have you seen the HPI certificate/ reciept or whatever or did he just tell you hes done it? although i cant c there being any outstanding finance on a 12 years old car
Dunk Posted March 6, 2003 Author Posted March 6, 2003 Have you seen the HPI certificate/ reciept or whatever or did he just tell you hes done it? although i cant c there being any outstanding finance on a 12 years old car true but dont it also check to see if its been written off and stuff??? I will get him to MOT it, if there is anything wrong with it, then it will either be fixed or it wont be bought. lol. anything else i aught to know??
Colin Posted March 6, 2003 Posted March 6, 2003 Actually i know of a series one RST up for sale down the road, 15 years old, going for £800, bit tatty but mechanicially and engine are sound, but has a huge HPI history that still ain't sorted........................ Otherwise I'd know the peoson would would be owning it quite well, my best mate!
Dunk Posted March 6, 2003 Author Posted March 6, 2003 i aint seen the certificate btw (this is what hes just told me) when i go with my dad to ave a look i will ask for everything then. As for the RST. HA HA HA this is my first car lol. a little out of my league me thinks
sortedford Posted March 7, 2003 Posted March 7, 2003 sounds like its had a bit of a bump in the rear mate, thats y the bumper will be a diffo colour plus it may have bent the boot a little, it may be from reversing into summat, and dont forget if the insurance aint paid out for it it wont be on the hpi register
Al Posted March 7, 2003 Posted March 7, 2003 If the guy is a registered trader, then me MUST declare by law that it is on the register if it is.Seeing as it's a relatively 'cheap' car it wouldn't be worth his while to lie to you.As for a certificate, he won't have one as trade normally just get the details by phone at a discounted rate. IMO.......i could waffle all day on bits to look out for, but i'm not going to see it, so take someone with a good knowledge of cars to have a good poke around.Open the boot,and look in the rear where the boot floor 'butts' up against the rear panel, you should be able to judge if it been rear ended heavy. Good luck Al.
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now