57 plate Audi A3 purchase, anything to look out for?

BUDFORCE

BUDFORCE

BUDFORCE

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Its not actually for me, my younger brother (who is pretty clueless with cars) is going to look at one probably this weekend.

I am going to go with him, I know a little about cars (certainly no mechanic) but I know the basics to check.

This car is an Audi A3 spec ed in black, 57 plate, 3dr, 1.6 petrol (not turbocharged) with only 34k miles.

The asking price is 3.5k.

Anything specific to watch out for? The dealer claims the timing belt has been replaced, I guess due to age. I know its an older car but given the low mileage and (one hopes) varly simple petrol engine, might be a good one? Only 1 previous owner apparently.

Anything specific to watch out/look for on these?
 
Thanks for the replies.

I hadn't given any thought to the deal aspect of it, more reliability, how good the car is in general and any mechanical nasties to look for. I will of course check the paperwork with regards to the timing belt.

That being said I did have a quick look through auto trader just now and I cannot seem to see any Fiesta or Focus that are significantly newer for the same money. A few 2009, some 2010 generally higher mileage also.
 
The examples listed above are much higher mileage, the focus for example with 85k, is a few hundred more cash price to start with, and if the timing belt on that hasnt been done recently add what, £300 on that also. And reading engine change, deisel, no thanks....

I am not in any way shape or form saying the Audi is a perfect car on a perfect deal, but my brother is ideally after something low mileage, less than 50k, ideally around 30k. He is not bothered about it being an Audi. Anything smallish like that, 1.4 petrol or above, no desiels ideally nothing turbocharged. But I am having a job finding things on this price range with the low mileages.

I am also of the opinion (to a point) that mileage > age - this has certainly been my expirience over the years with all 3 previous cars I have had, being older but low mileage and all 3 I got a lot of use out.
 
Those cars are not the same category, all under power.

The Seat granted isn't that far off, 1.4 petrol 84bhp is probably just enough, low mileage also, the dealer is in Bradford ....
 
Scratch that, found a Kia proceed 1.4 petrol, 11 plate with under 50k for the same money so we are going to look at that tomorrow instead.
 
So went to see the Kia. It was well mankey.

The door has this like black trim stuff at the top which was peeling. The fuel tank had corrosion on the underside, there were sratches and scuffs everywhere. The clutch didnt feel right.
 
You lot can take the **** as much as you like but I've bought several low mileage older cars over the years, that have been kept well and have ended up being very good buys.

This one wasn't however.
 
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