Cheap Car £1500

[AiiR]

Not been in the used car market in years, but I'm looking for a cheap run around and need some advice on the kind of things to look for? Not a lot available locally for £1500 but as it's only going to do around 20 miles a week I'm hoping this is enough to get something semi decent.


Cheers guys,

 

[sigma]

At that price, a long MOT, good tyres and a service history.

 

[Gregvivi0401]

At that price, a long MOT, good tyres and a service history.

And petrol not diesel.

 

[Dup]

Honda Jazz with a manual box. The exhausts like to rot and fall off but they're sturdy, cheap to run and simple to fix.

You're not getting Bluetooth phone & music, auto lights or wipers etc (for the latter two a Civic Type-S GT 1.8 will get you that but they're rare at this budget) but you could more than likely retrofit Bluetooth.

 

[Doobedoo]

 

[K.C. Leblanc]

Anything robust and well looked after, the important thing is a good example of a bad car is often better then a bad example of a good car.

With a car like this look for any immediate costs. Check tyres, find out when it last had an oil change and made sure there isn't a cam belt due in the next 5 minutes.

 

[Gregvivi0401]

Anything robust and well looked after, the important thing is a good example of a bad car is often better then a bad example of a good car.

With a car like this look for any immediate costs. Check tyres, find out when it last had an oil change and made sure there isn't a cam belt due in the next 5 minutes.

Or you can look for chain instead of belt.

 

[Zefan]

This can actually create complications, a chain does not necessarily mean zero maintenance, although people off treat them that way regardless. There are some chain horror stories knocking about.

Or you can look for chain instead of belt.

 

[radderfire]

Ford Focus

 

[Resident]

This can actually create complications, a chain does not necessarily mean zero maintenance, although people off treat them that way regardless. There are some chain horror stories knocking about.

Even when they're maintained they cause issues too. Had a mondeo with a chain. Had it checked when I bought it as it was on the service listing (100,000) and hadn't been done. Was told it was all ok and the next service lisiting for check was 160,000 but Ford stealership said they've never seen one let go till well over 250,000

At 157,000 it decided that life wasn't worth it anymore.

 

[Scania]

And petrol not diesel.

Not necessarily, just aim for one pre 06 ish that has no DPF such as a Volvo S60/V70 D5 for example or indeed anything pre DPF so long as it’s got decent MOT life and isn’t a wreck.

I suggest the D5 Volvo as I’m on my third, and after a long line of BMW’s in my past, I can only say I’m blown away by the difference in build quality - and reliability - of the two respective marques at comparable ages….

 

[Gregvivi0401]

Not necessarily, just aim for one pre 06 ish that has no DPF such as a Volvo S60/V70 D5 for example or indeed anything pre DPF so long as it’s got decent MOT life and isn’t a wreck.

I suggest the D5 Volvo as I’m on my third, and after a long line of BMW’s in my past, I can only say I’m blown away by the difference in build quality - and reliability - of the two respective marques at comparable ages….

Yes that's it's true but He is only travel 20 miles per week so petrol will be better choice.

 

[agw_01]

Not necessarily, just aim for one pre 06 ish that has no DPF such as a Volvo S60/V70 D5 for example or indeed anything pre DPF so long as it’s got decent MOT life and isn’t a wreck.

I suggest the D5 Volvo as I’m on my third, and after a long line of BMW’s in my past, I can only say I’m blown away by the difference in build quality - and reliability - of the two respective marques at comparable ages….

What sort of mileage did you get on each car @Scania, and why did you replace them?

 

[ianh]

I'm doing about 25 miles a week and got a 1.0L petrol Citroen C1 for under £1500 about 5 months ago which is doing 62mpg, costs £20/year to tax, insurance was <£150 etc but you get zero "creature comforts" - manual windows, no central locking, basic FM radio/CD player, no aircon etc.

I bought a 3.5mm Bluetooth plug-in for the radio and use my phone for Sat Nav, the car is so narrow that from one seat you can open/close both doors/windows so that covers most stuff, plus it's quite well sized inside for such a small car so if doesn't feel too cramped in the front (zero rear space except for baby/child seats).

 

[Tee Hee Johnson]

1.25 Mk7 Fiesta. I tried the C1, and its just too basic. The Fiesta is basic too, but it's quite a nicer place to be in. Not quite as cheap tho, but cheap enough.

 

[MissChief]

At that price, a long MOT, good tyres and a service history.

This really. Be extremely open to what sort of car you like. Look on Gumtree, FB marketplace and Ebay. At this price it's unlikely anyone would pay the cost of an AT advert. Service history, condition and tyre type/life are your primary concerns. If you know any elderly relatives who have to stop driving they can be a goldmine of barely used but regularly serviced cars!

 

[teenwolf]

honda accord

 

[Gregvivi0401]

This really. Be extremely open to what sort of car you like. Look on Gumtree, FB marketplace and Ebay. At this price it's unlikely anyone would pay the cost of an AT advert. Service history, condition and tyre type/life are your primary concerns. If you know any elderly relatives who have to stop driving they can be a goldmine of barely used but regularly serviced cars!

I think you right on this one.

 

[savagesam117]

Picked up my Skoda Superb for £1500. 160k on the clock. August last year. Years MOT, full FSH and every option in the book. I’ve done 37k in it and it drives like a dream. I’ve fitted 4 new tyres and serviced it.

 

[hartgeh3]

Polo