Buying a used motor in the UK

**melvbot** · 12-07-2009, 11:44 PM

As Im going back to Blighty for a bit Im going to need a car or "motah" if youre a southerner.

Until I can get working for a bit, save some cash and get some sort of credit going Im looking for a cheap runaround. All of a sudden Ive gone on Volkswagen Golfs, never liked them before but Ive seen a few around a grand and they seem to be a decent deal.

Has anyone had Golfs before? Things/problems to look out for? Any particular model better than others, MK3 etc?

Im looking for a diesel, 5 door so any other makes in the same category would be of interest.

**Spin** · 13-07-2009, 12:53 AM

Originally Posted by melvbot

"motah" if youre a southerner

Where I came from a motor was a kilo of speed

Cant go wrong with a golf, and easy to sell on when you've had enough and want to come back here.

**astasinim** · 13-07-2009, 12:57 AM

Had a a golf a few years ago, 2ltr tdi. Great motor, good fuel ecconomy, no problems and could sell them all day long for a good price. IMO a good buy.

**the dogcatcher** · 13-07-2009, 03:50 AM

Recent Seats and Skodas are ok too, thats because they're VWs. and maybe cheaper.

**melvbot** · 13-07-2009, 08:16 AM

Cheers all. Theres always been this thing of "Golfs are great" but Ive never known anyone whos actually owned one. Thers one in a garage not too far from where I live advertised on auto trader.

USED VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 1.9 CL Turbo, Leicester, Leicestershire

Seems like a bargain to me.

**Looper** · 10-01-2010, 10:02 PM

Originally Posted by melvbot

Cheers all. Theres always been this thing of "Golfs are great" but Ive never known anyone whos actually owned one. Thers one in a garage not too far from where I live advertised on auto trader.

USED VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 1.9 CL Turbo, Leicester, Leicestershire

Seems like a bargain to me.

Seems to be gone but if it was a silver 99 that looks exactly like this then it maybe used to belong to the Pope and would have come with a 30,000 mile anti-corrosion blessing.

**blackgang** · 13-07-2009, 08:33 AM

I bought one once cause a guy wanted to sell a Harley,or trade it for an econo car and I bought the VW Golf cheap, so he got a car and I got a scoot for 1/2 price.

**the dogcatcher** · 13-07-2009, 04:44 PM

A farrang GF of mine had a couple of petrol ones. Can't think of a bad word to say about them.

watterinja · 13-07-2009, 05:02 PM

Looks like a nice little motor.

**November Rain** · 13-07-2009, 05:08 PM

Melvy, Mum's hubby is a mechanic, now MOT manager. Have you decided on the Golf, or would you like me to ask his opinion?

**melvbot** · 13-07-2009, 05:30 PM

Originally Posted by November Rain

Melvy, Mum's hubby is a mechanic, now MOT manager. Have you decided on the Golf, or would you like me to ask his opinion?

If you can ask him his opinion wouldnt hurt. In not looking to spend more than a grand to start with, preferably a diesel so reliability at 80k+ miles is a big factor.

**November Rain** · 15-07-2009, 07:21 AM

Originally Posted by melvbot

Originally Posted by November Rain

Melvy, Mum's hubby is a mechanic, now MOT manager. Have you decided on the Golf, or would you like me to ask his opinion?

If you can ask him his opinion wouldnt hurt. In not looking to spend more than a grand to start with, preferably a diesel so reliability at 80k+ miles is a big factor.

His reply. Hope it helps, Melvy.

VW golf is a good car,especially diesel engine,but for that amount of money there choice is limited. It's going to be very high mileage , or in poor condition. They could try as an alterative ,Seat Leon or Toledo. Or what would be my choice, Skoda Octavia. Both are share the same engines ,gearbox and suspension, but generally not the same price. The Octavia has more room than a Golf, the Leon is about the same size and the Toledo has a boot as opposed to being a hatch back. Main thing to be aware when looking at Octavia's, they are a popular taxi in this country, so if it's very high mileage it be an ex taxi.

When looking at any vehicle with high mileage (average mileage is classed as 10.000 miles per year), ask to see service history. If it's not a full history for the mileage ,walk away. The other thing to check for in service history is if the timing or cam belt has been changed at correct intervals. On early Golfs Leons etc should be every 40.000 miles or four years. Later models after 2000 should be every 60.000 miles or six years. If their is no record of replacement ,walk away or have the seller replaces or take cost of replacement of the price of the car, between £240 and £300 plus vat.

May be another option would be an older Mercedes C class diesel. 1999 or before. Not the fastest car on the road ,but if serviced correctly will run for ever. Un like the new one's.

My final advise. Don't buy a french car .Renault ,Citroen or Peugeot. They make good wine but the cars are rubbish. Again don't buy Italian, good food but cars ,a different story. Ford's I have never been a fan of but better than French. Vauxhall's diesel's not too reliable and expensive to repair. Toyota very good but difficult to find a diesel for that sort of money.

Their are a couple of good sites to look at for cars selling in the UK. You can search on Goggle for pistonheads or autotrader.

**melvbot** · 15-07-2009, 08:37 AM

Thanks NR, I'll bear it in mind. A few people have said pretty much the same Golf, Seat, Skoda pretty much the same car with different clothes.

**astasinim** · 16-07-2009, 05:01 AM

My brothers got a seat Leon. He loves it. Plenty of power, pretty good fuel ecc, and fairly generous space. I think its the one with the Audi TT engine in it.

**Spin** · 13-07-2009, 05:30 PM

Originally Posted by melvbot

Seems like a bargain to me.

Nice little runaround for 55,000 baht. Gotta feel sorry for the Thais having to stump up 400,000 for the same thing.

**melvbot** · 13-07-2009, 06:02 PM

Originally Posted by Spin

Originally Posted by melvbot

Seems like a bargain to me.

Nice little runaround for 55,000 baht. Gotta feel sorry for the Thais having to stump up 400,000 for the same thing.

£495 for this one

Auto Trader UK - VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 1.9 D SE 5dr Hatchback Special Eds

Im not bothered about performance or a "drivers car", I need something to get me to and from work, pick the kid up from school and go shopping. If I want a decent car I'll just borrow the old mans.

**Fabian** · 13-07-2009, 05:58 PM

I hated the Golf I owned once. It was a real piece of shit but maybe that one is in a much better condition.

**madjbs** · 13-07-2009, 05:58 PM

^^Actually more like 200,000. Still quite a big difference though!

Golfs are good, but pretty damn boring.

**somtamslap** · 13-07-2009, 06:09 PM

Originally Posted by Spin

Nice little runaround for 55,000 baht. Gotta feel sorry for the Thais having to stump up 400,000 for the same thing.

I'm not sure there is a Thai equivalent for the word depreciation...there can't be.

**English Noodles** · 14-07-2009, 12:07 AM

Originally Posted by somtamslap

I'm not sure there is a Thai equivalent for the word depreciation...there can't be.

Gan suem rhaka or Kwaam dtok dtam, the first would be more suitable in this case.

**Spin** · 14-07-2009, 02:31 AM

Originally Posted by madjbs

Actually more like 200,000

You're right!, I went and had a look on one2car. Found a nice VR6 on there for 335,000 baht. 2.8 V6 engine in these is a sweeeeet motor, deffo not boring and is good for 500,000 miles. linky
In fact, if I wasnt going back to the uk for a spell I would go and take a look at that one and see if I could do a deal, Love the VR6

**mrsquirrel** · 14-07-2009, 03:02 AM

mevlobt, you can get tick on a new car quite cheap now if you have a credit rating over there.

**melvbot** · 14-07-2009, 08:19 AM

Originally Posted by mrsquirrel

mevlobt, you can get tick on a new car quite cheap now if you have a credit rating over there.

Credit ratings OK, I just dont want to get in the trap of a 2-5 year car loan as soon as I get back. A house is a bigger priority over a car for me.

**crippen** · 14-07-2009, 09:10 AM

Make sure the headlights work.That model had a nasty habit of burning the headlight switch out,and they cost 100 odd quid for a new switch.Can't remember what the fault was ??? amnesia setting in

**English Noodles** · 14-07-2009, 11:32 PM

Originally Posted by crippen

Make sure the headlights work.That model had a nasty habit of burning the headlight switch out,and they cost 100 odd quid for a new switch.Can't remember what the fault was ??? amnesia setting in

I'm sure you could get one for a fiver from a scrap yard.

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