Quality of cars for sale on Autotrader
Discussion
Over the past few years I've been looking for cars for sale on Autotrader and I'm absolutely fed up of phoning up dealers and asking for the service history only to find out the DSG box for example hasn't seen a service in 40k miles, or the engine oil for that matter. Anyone feel the same? Have any tips to stop me going insane? Cheers
I found this in 2019, 'service history' of two or three services on a ten year old car, tatty bodywork with stone chips and dings all over, imminent mechanical issues...
Otherwise buy privately, there are still some shockers out there but there's much more of a spread of condition, and often the good cars aren't much, if any, more money than the bad ones.
georgeyboy12345 said:
Spend more money
I think this is an option, some dealers specialise in the better quality cars but their prices are higher.Otherwise buy privately, there are still some shockers out there but there's much more of a spread of condition, and often the good cars aren't much, if any, more money than the bad ones.
georgeyboy12345 said:
Spend more money
Why??Some owners actually properly maintain and service their cars ( though, i admit we are rare)
I have a Ford Galaxy 2.0 TDCI ( 2010) that i originally bought for leisure- kayaking, my bikes , tip runs.
The thing is, since i sold my Z4C , its actually great, and i don't want to sell it- good chassis, economical ( 47.7 on dash, so prob around a genuine 42-44 mpg), very comfortable and has loads of history, plus , i actually maintain it properly, like the previous owners did.
Mine has 13 service stamps ( with all paperwork) and this week, i even did some preventative treatment to the chassis, to apply some quality Rust block/Waxoyl
Even the Air Con is cold ( after a split fan wire was fixed). It even gets regular professional level, full fuel system cleaners ( every 5K) , plus maintenance top-ups with every tank
Mine now has 126K on it . I have been looking at BMW 330/5D Tourings for around 20K but, i think these will fall flat on their faces next year and beyond ( particularly the Euro 5) and they are simply not worth 6/7 times what i paid for the Galaxy.
Edited by oceanview on Saturday 13th August 23:44
Maintaining cars is overrated...
I do the bare minimum to maintain my cars and work to a policy of "fix it when it breaks" I think I've only had 1 of the 30 cars I owned serviced and never had any lack of maintenance related problems...
At the end of the day much of a service is just topping up old and liquids so if you do that yourself when they're low then what's the harm?
I do the bare minimum to maintain my cars and work to a policy of "fix it when it breaks" I think I've only had 1 of the 30 cars I owned serviced and never had any lack of maintenance related problems...
At the end of the day much of a service is just topping up old and liquids so if you do that yourself when they're low then what's the harm?
The harm is that without correct and timely maintenance, some parts will suffer accelerated wear resulting in parts needing replacement.
Neglecting say a simple oil and filter change on an autobox will result in poorer changes and a big bill when it fails.
Failing to replace say brake fluid can cause internal corrosion.
Prevention often better than replacement of major parts.
Neglecting say a simple oil and filter change on an autobox will result in poorer changes and a big bill when it fails.
Failing to replace say brake fluid can cause internal corrosion.
Prevention often better than replacement of major parts.
I think part of the issue is that most people are buying new cars on PCP or lease knowing they only have the cars for a fixed period so do the minimum they have to under the conditions of the purchase to maintain the car then move it on again.
They don't think of the long term of the car just the 2-4 years they own it from new. DSG services etc are easily overlooked.
They don't think of the long term of the car just the 2-4 years they own it from new. DSG services etc are easily overlooked.
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