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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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Hi, I've always been insured on my Mums car but they recently got a very small sports car. Its nice but we won't be able to fit all our bags in when we go on holiday in 3 weeks so its bout time I get one.
Basically want any tips for buying used car. Looking at mini coopers, 3 grand max.
Looking on autotrader mostly, any tips on what I should be looking for and avoiding. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"if you have no no claims discount - buy something cheap to insure. Why not buy a £500-750 banger - no depreciation, scrap it if it breaks - there;s some cool stuff out there at that money."
Cool stuff? There's some AMAZING stuff out there in that price range! Just keep scouring the websites and you'll find something to whet your appetite.
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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At that price choose something that won't cost a fortune to fix. I think minis would be a bit pricey.....
Other makes like ford , vauxhall would be bit cheaper. |
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I have a super little nissan micra essenza convertable 07 plate .. u can have it for 5 k .. all leather interior in black .. black outside too. done 15 thousand miles.. its lovely perfect condition.. one very slight ding on front bumper ..I have had it since new..  |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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I don't know much about cars and fixing them, wouldn't mind an older car but would hate to break down.
Been in a mates car several times when his broke down, once the wheel came off and we didnt notice till it over took us. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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As well as the car itself, consider :
insurance costs / insurance groups
annual road tax
repair costs / spare part availability
look up reviews on line for cars you like
try and get one with a full MOT and some road tax
Mini's might be trendy but because of that they retain value pretty well.
So for £3,000 you won't get much
I'd go for something with a little less street cred if I were you, your money will go so much further.
Then again, I'm not 20 anymore
At 20, I'd have gone for summat trendy too  |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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I'm 30.
I dont care about street cred etc.
I'm quite small, was previously driving a toyota IQ which was a great size for me. Hate big cars and feel more comfortable in a 3Door.
Others told me mileage is something to watch for but how low should I be looking.? thx everyone for answers. |
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"I have a super little nissan micra essenza convertable 07 plate .. u can have it for 5 k .. all leather interior in black .. black outside too. done 15 thousand miles.. its lovely perfect condition.. one very slight ding on front bumper ..I have had it since new.. "
Needs an MOT but will sail through it.. never had any problems..
Unlike my new MERC SLK not done 8k yet and the roof mechanism is buggered ... two days in the garage next week to fix it..Typical. |
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By *uttyMan
over a year ago
Local to you maybe |
Personally I don't take much notice of mileage tbh. As long as there's a good service history I would buy a high mileage car.
Then again ive taxied most of my days so cars with 150-250k are normal to me
And my Peugeot 406 diesel is still going strong at a tad over 200k  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I'm 30.
I dont care about street cred etc.
I'm quite small, was previously driving a toyota IQ which was a great size for me. Hate big cars and feel more comfortable in a 3Door.
Others told me mileage is something to watch for but how low should I be looking.? thx everyone for answers."
Ah sorry, I assumed it was the female of the couple with you saying about using your parents car.
Low mileage does help but if it has suspiciously low mileage, check for service history / previous MOT certificates etc to validate it.
The national average is (or was) 12,000 miles per annum, so a 5 year year old car should have around 60,000 miles on the clock.
Any less, bonus (but do the checks) |
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By *averiMan
over a year ago
Swindon to bristol |
"Hi, I've always been insured on my Mums car but they recently got a very small sports car. Its nice but we won't be able to fit all our bags in when we go on holiday in 3 weeks so its bout time I get one.
Basically want any tips for buying used car. Looking at mini coopers, 3 grand max.
Looking on autotrader mostly, any tips on what I should be looking for and avoiding."
As far as insurance is concerned..but you mum on as a named driver...it will reduce your premium.
Cheap cars are no more to insure than not so cheap ones. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Hi, I've always been insured on my Mums car but they recently got a very small sports car. Its nice but we won't be able to fit all our bags in when we go on holiday in 3 weeks so its bout time I get one.
Basically want any tips for buying used car. Looking at mini coopers, 3 grand max.
Looking on autotrader mostly, any tips on what I should be looking for and avoiding."
toyota corola's and hyundai accents are very reliable and you can pick them up for as little as 800 euro now |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"a small diesel would suit best for running costs/fuel/insurance/tax... 1 thing i would advise tho is stay away from french cars stick to small german or jap cars as most reliable"
Surprisingly there is no small german diesel out there.
Japaness yes but very rare in small and diesel under 3K.
So go for a french ..Let say a Renault Megane DCI... It is 1.5 and do up to 58MPG with insurance groupe 4 and road tax band C..( you pay just £30 per year )
If that is not good enough try any peugeot HDI 206 or 307 no more than 1.4...same road tax £30 per year and cheapest insurance...
I am driving a 307 HDi and sometime have to double if the oil level is working as it never move... |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I don't know much about cars and fixing them, wouldn't mind an older car but would hate to break down.
Been in a mates car several times when his broke down, once the wheel came off and we didnt notice till it over took us."
Forget buying any old car ..dont go more than 04 |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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A would say a peugeot is reliable the 206 is a good model. i had one no problems mileage a would say around the 50 grand mark. Diesel there is no point unless you do a lot of miles the extra you pay you never get back higher price at the pump unless doing a lot of miles petrol does .
A have a kia now parts are a rip off. Consider the price on parts to when buying .
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Avoid the road side traders, carry out the various checks ie has it been written off, is it nicked or still on HP and if poss a mechanical check. A young lad I know has just been stung... £700 for his first car, the V5 says its had major repair, and a diagnostic check has brought up nearly £2k worth of faults! He is stuffed and has lost his money. |
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and its a genuine mileage its neat i just wanted to buy the slk before my OH got his hands on the money 
