Shed buying guide

[Not Cool]

Hello all,

Recent events have prompted me to wish to buy a shed. I’m staying at £1500 and I would like something not too big.

Problem is unlike a lot of your folks on here I am not a mechanically minded person. Should I do a FSH only search? Is a P/X car better? Which car tends to be the most reliable shed? Is there a shed “specialist”?

Many thanks,

Mart

[gotoPzero]

Not Cool said:

Hello all,
Is there a shed “specialist”?

https://www.theshedspecialist.com/

HTH

[Not Cool]

I fell for that!

[Bobupndown]

Don't think you'll find too many sheds with fsh or part exchanges that are perfect at that price.

[sherman]

£1500 is that price of you will either get an old bodied but mechanically good older car or a knackered meechanically but good bodied newer car.

[Not Cool]

Mechanically all the way.

[samoht]

Toyotas are generally a good bet, just check for rust.

[HustleRussell]

Best place to buy sheds is from family, friends, colleagues, acquaintances… people who you’re likely to see again.

Don’t be fussy about make and model. At shed money it’s all about whether the car has been reliable and ergo is likely to be reliable for another year or two…

[M4cruiser]

Private sale best at that price, but you need some mechanical knowledge. Take a friend.

Go for something with no street cred. Nissan Almera? Be ready to pay a bit for road tax and fuel, compared to a more desirable car.

[anonymous-user]

Not Cool said:

Problem is unlike a lot of your folks on here I am not a mechanically minded person. Should I do a FSH only search? Is a P/X car better? Which car tends to be the most reliable shed? Is there a shed “specialist”?

I mean this in the nicest possible way but I don't think shedding is for you.

[Xcore]

Can’t wait for next months topic from OP “I bought a £1500 and it broke. How do I take the private seller to court”

[Jiebo]

£1500 pre pandemic is now £4-5k. What you get now for £1500 is mostly landfill that people use to flog for £200. Shedding is no longer viable.

[Audis5b9]

Not Cool said:

Hello all,

Recent events have prompted me to wish to buy a shed. I’m staying at £1500 and I would like something not too big.

Problem is unlike a lot of your folks on here I am not a mechanically minded person. Should I do a FSH only search? Is a P/X car better? Which car tends to be the most reliable shed? Is there a shed “specialist”?

Many thanks,

Mart

How long do you need the shed to last?

[ChrisH79]

Joey Deacon said:

Not Cool said:

Problem is unlike a lot of your folks on here I am not a mechanically minded person. Should I do a FSH only search? Is a P/X car better? Which car tends to be the most reliable shed? Is there a shed “specialist”?

I mean this in the nicest possible way but I don't think shedding is for you.

This.

If you’re not mechanically minded and have never lived with the problems an older car can throw at you then you’re in for a rude awakening.

£1500 5 years ago was a very healthy budget for buying a cheap car that was a bit unpopular but could provide years of service. But what was a £1500 car then would probably cost closer to £3500 in 2023, maybe even more. Today’s £1000-1500 market is closer to what would have been the sub £500 run it until MOT/failure day and start again pool of cars.

[anonymous-user]

Xcore said:

Can’t wait for next months topic from OP “I bought a £1500 and it broke. How do I take the private seller to court”

This is why I would never sell another shed again, I just cannot deal with the time wasters and people who think they are buying a brand new car for £1500 that will work perfectly and not give them any trouble.

When you buy a shed you are taking a risk, only do this if you know what you are buying and are potentially letting yourself in for. If you have no mechanical knowledge and are unable to spot issues before they become terminal or fix it yourself I would avoid.

If you do go ahead with this check the MOT history and understand what you are looking at. Buy something as new as possible that has as low an image as possible, preferably from someone old who has maintained it.

Do not get seduced by a £1500 German car and think "So much car for the money"

[ChrisH72]

I'd say it can be done if you keep it simple.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023072098...

Small hatchback with a 1.6 petrol engine.

Something like an Astra or Focus maybe.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023072701...

I'd look for a car with a long MOT and be prepared to bin it if the next one throws a big bill.

A lot depends on why you want a shed really. Is it just to save money or we're you wanting something interesting?

[Not Cool]

Then I shall take the advice offered here and avoid a shed. Maybe save my pennies a bit longer and get something which will be a decent second car.

Thanks to all for the honest, sarcasm free, advice.

Cheers.

[ChocolateFrog]

Not a bad decision.

Shedding only really works if you can do all the work yourself. Or at the very least be able to buy a reliable shed from a reliable source to start with.

[Not Cool]

ChrisH72 said:

I'd say it can be done if you keep it simple.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023072098...

Small hatchback with a 1.6 petrol engine.

Something like an Astra or Focus maybe.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023072701...

I'd look for a car with a long MOT and be prepared to bin it if the next one throws a big bill.

A lot depends on why you want a shed really. Is it just to save money or were you wanting something interesting?

Nothing really interesting at all. The sort of car I can chuck the golf clubs into and leave in a parking space at the supermarket and not worry about it if it gets a ding.

As has been pointed out on here, not having the tools or knowledge to sort out any issues could make it a money pit so perhaps I would be better off waiting a looking for a traditional second car.

[sixor8]

ChrisH79 said:

This.

If you’re not mechanically minded and have never lived with the problems an older car can throw at you then you’re in for a rude awakening.

£1500 5 years ago was a very healthy budget for buying a cheap car that was a bit unpopular but could provide years of service. But what was a £1500 car then would probably cost closer to £3500 in 2023, maybe even more. Today’s £1000-1500 market is closer to what would have been the sub £500 run it until MOT/failure day and start again pool of cars.

I don't agree, where do you have to buy cars?

On Autotrader within 20 miles of me in the West Mids, I filtered out the cat C / D cars and those with over 100k miles, AND the sub £1k cars that, admittedly are either usually dross or non runners. There are 135 cars between £1k and £1500. Worryingly, only 10 are private sellers though, it seems people do seem to have given up trying to sell cheap cars...

If you live in the countryside, I admit you'd have much less choice.