What to look for when buying a second hand car for the first time?

darael

darael

darael

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Ok I have some cars which I am very tempted to view. But I don't have much idea about cars, how to spot faults or potential problems etc.

I am looking at a Peugeot 206 or Nissan Micra 2000 right now. What weak spots could I look for on either of these cars?

I know I should look round the bodywork to look for rust - but what is safe rust, and what is "stay away" from rust? Should I start the engine? If so, how can I tell a healthy one from bad? Anything I can do while it's running?

I am planning on a check to make sure they aren't write offs or stolen (HPI?).

Any advice?
 
If you have a mate who is good with cars take him with you.
 
Pug 206 is just a weak car in general, even for a first car its a hateful thing with poor ride, bad build quality and crap electrics.

With any car a good service history brings peace of mind, generally anything with lots of previous owners is a bad thing.

Mechanically it should drive staight, brake in a straight line, no clunking or knocking when on full lock, no knocking from suspension over uneven surfaces. Body panels should be even with no misalignment or excessive gaps, along the bonnet for example this could indicate a bad repair.

Always start the car from cold, it should start easily without continuous cranking. Idle should be smooth and not erractic. Black or blue smoke is bad, white is just water vapour and fine till its warmed up, if its has a cambelt check when it was last done, check the oil if its black and tarry it could mean its long over due a service.

Check inside the boot, pull up the carpet and check for anysigns of repairs, check rubber seals for signs paint overspray again this could indicate previous accident damage.
 
i concur with the previous poster about the 206, it will give you electrical problems unless you're very lucky. not an ideal choice for a first car.
 
darael said:
Ok I have some cars which I am very tempted to view. But I don't have much idea about cars, how to spot faults or potential problems etc.

I am looking at a Peugeot 206 or Nissan Micra 2000 right now. What weak spots could I look for on either of these cars?
Click to expand...

I have highlighted the weak spots in bold!
 
206 is a bad idea if you want reliability, the micra not so bad but a poor car.

If you let us know your budget / wants / needs, the wealth of experience here will guide you to the best suited car, you may be suprised :)
 
If your checking for accident damage, look at the body panel's and see if they are all the same colour. I see no end of cars about with poor paint matching.
 
Makhaira said:
Things to check for

1) Ford badge on the front
2) Mondeo badge on the rear left

Job done :)
Click to expand...

I was actually betting someone would post a sudgestion a Mondeo. You frist car doesnt have to be great just reliable. So I would sudgest Corsa, Clio(I had one for 3 years did 100,000miles), polo or Fiesta.

Make sure it starts first time. Check paint work for mis match panels. HPI check it. Check wear on interior. If they allow you take it to an independant garage you knwo for them to check. When I bought my car the grarage agreed for me to take it to my local garage for them to check for any error codes and anything I had missed.
 
Ok, so I definitely won't be going for the 206. :eek:

I'm looking at the likes of Ford Fiestas, Renault Clios, Vauxhall Corsas, Nissan Micras - as long as they have a small engine size for cheap insurance! The Nissan Micra seems to tick the boxes for me, hence why I'm happy to get one as my first car.

Very good advice there beermonster, exactly what I was after! Will be printing off a small checklist based on what you've said. :cool:

The car will be used for short journeys to work - say <2 miles there, another <2 back. Will also be using it to get around - maybe the odd sprint out here and there, but nowhere more than 150+ miles away! I haven't passed my test yet, but hope to do so before winter sets in.
 
With any small car you tend to pay a premium as they are sort after as everyone wants a cheap runabout these days "what wi recession n all" 1 litre corsas are bad, very underpowered and have to be thrashed everywhere, 1.25 fiesta would be my choice, good power for the engine size, polo and micra attract desirability premiums.

Short jouneys are fine but give it a good blast now and then as it won't be getting to proper operating temperature and constantly running rich.
 
darael said:
Ok, so I definitely won't be going for the 206. :eek:

I'm looking at the likes of Ford Fiestas, Renault Clios, Vauxhall Corsas, Nissan Micras - as long as they have a small engine size for cheap insurance! The Nissan Micra seems to tick the boxes for me, hence why I'm happy to get one as my first car.

Very good advice there beermonster, exactly what I was after! Will be printing off a small checklist based on what you've said. :cool:

The car will be used for short journeys to work - say <2 miles there, another <2 back. Will also be using it to get around - maybe the odd sprint out here and there, but nowhere more than 150+ miles away! I haven't passed my test yet, but hope to do so before winter sets in.
Click to expand...

Remove the corsa too.

Also, sounding lime a broken record, engine size isn't the only determining factor for insurance. It shouldn't cost you much more, if at all (might even be cheaper) to insure a 1.6 focus or 1.8 mondeo
 
iaind said:
Remove the corsa too.

Also, sounding lime a broken record, engine size isn't the only determining factor for insurance. It shouldn't cost you much more, if at all (might even be cheaper) to insure a 1.6 focus or 1.8 mondeo
Click to expand...

I very much disagree. The corsa is a good first car. Mine was a 96 1.2 and ok it was abit worse for wear but the year I had it, it never went wrong and used very little fuel.

Also I challenge you to find me a quote that proves your theory. It was FAR cheaper to insure me 2years ago on a 1.2 Clio than a 1.6 206. Really dont know where people get thses ideas from.
 
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