Forum Topic

Which used car to buy?

A young friend has just heard that she's passed her required A levels to allow her into her preferred Uni. She's been promised a combined gift of £6,000 from her parents and g'parents, to be spent on a used car, as she'll have too many debts for accommodation, books etc.  The question is - which car should she buy, that will be reliable enough to get her to Yorkshire and back each term and allow her to travel the moors which she loves and for general 'pootering' around?  She knows nought about cars.

Gerry Tan ● 4248d19 Comments

Very wise Gerry.Get her parents to 'name' her as a driver on their car.Many insurance companies will allow this, at a future date, to be a factor when calculating any no-claim discount against a future premium.

Nigel Brooks ● 4243d

Our young friend who's been given a lump sum of £6k to buy a car, has weighed up the pros and cons re spending the money and has decided not to buy a car for use at Uni - everything is too expensive. She has two friends starting at the same uni and they've got cars, so she's gonna get lifts from them - so the money 'saved' will go towards her accommodation and books.  A wise decision methinks.

Gerry Tan ● 4243d

'I don't know if it still works, but I used to be a named second driver for the car belonging to one of my nephews (and yes, I did borrow it from time to time) which apparently had quite a positive effect on price of his car insurance.'Insurance companies have wised up to all these little ideas and may refuse a claim if they think the named drivers are not legitimate ones.You can get cheaper insurance if you have a black box fitted to monitor your driving but I'm afraid I don't know any more details.

Susan Kelly ● 4243d

I agree with you Graham, I now have a second hand Toyota Yaris, best car I have had and I have had it for over 18 months. I did alot of research before I got this car, and could not find any negative comments about them.

Jaz Brown ● 4243d

Toyota Yaris. Now on our second.

Graham Weeks ● 4243d

http://www.rcwoods.co.ukI recommend the above company for used cars. They only take cash but they are very honest. Specialise in low mileage cars.

Margaret Wittich ● 4247d

Sound advice indeed and, in particular, the HPI check which will also pick up if the car is a 'Cat D in essence a car that has been written off by the insurance company and subsequently repaired.

Nigel Brooks ● 4247d

And as it's now illegal to offer different (ie lower) insurances rates for women, Gerry's friend will have to pay the same extortionate rates as a young man. On cars, Seat and Skoda are attractive as one gets VW engineering without the price of that badge. Any car up to 10 years old should be considered; with rust no longer a car killer and electronics improving reliability, older cars that have been serviced and treated fairly offer great value for money. One could get something reliable for much less the £6k budget. The real bargains are private sales. Go to the autotrader website to see what you can get for a given amount. Of course, you ideally want to have a friend with you who knows about cars. Alternatively, the RAC and AA will do an inspection of a prospective car purchase for c£250 I think (always include the HPI check that covers ownership and any outstanding finance) should you need peace of mind.

Vlod Barchuk ● 4247d

I don't know if it still works, but I used to be a named second driver for the car belonging to one of my nephews (and yes, I did borrow it from time to time) which apparently had quite a positive effect on price of his car insurance.

Sue Rowe ● 4248d

Out of idle curiosity, I got an insurance quote for an 18 year old driving a fiver year old 1.0 litre VW Polo, assuming no NCB and having held a full licence for a year.Prices ranged from £2100 (privilege) to a whopping £6485.58 e-sure).That would buy a hell of a lot of train tickets and taxi rides!!!

Nigel Brooks ● 4248d

By the time she takes almost half of that budget for insurance the options are somewhat more limited, but, have to agree that the VW Polo is almost bulletproof.

Nigel Brooks ● 4248d

She should check whether she is allowed to take a car to her university/hall of residence. You are not allowed to with some, and others provide no parking for students. 

Philippa Bond ● 4248d

Hi PhilIt was 3 years ago now so I'm struggling to recall his name.  I never felt pushed upon and had my initial offer accepted including minor touch-ups on the bodywork and alloys. The only thing he 'sold' me was the service plan but that was a no- brainer really.  Give them a go!

Andy Vaughan ● 4248d

Thanks Keith and others for your advice - I too know little about cars. A neighbour has a Skoda Fabia which he bought nearly new for that budget and he swears by it.

Gerry Tan ● 4248d

AndyCan you recommend a particular salesman from the Alperton garage? I'm happy to use them as they're local but struggle when I get lied to by desperate sales people.

Phil Kay ● 4248d

Skoda Fabia would be something I would seriously consider. Has a VW Polo engine and is effectively a VW/Audi cross and is always cheaper than a Polo. Economical,reliable, nippy and roomier than most cars in that class. You should get a near new one for that type of money.

Keith Iddon ● 4248d

She could get a 3yr old, low-mileage, Ford Fiesta for that sort of money I would imagine.  I bought a 3yr old Focus from Daghenham Motors in Alperton and found the experience to be a good one.  Their 4 year service plan is also very affordable.

Andy Vaughan ● 4248d

Polo's are magnificent and you will pick up a great second hand one for that budget. Would also look at Ford Fiesta - another great little first car....

Bud Richards ● 4248d

I have a Micra and a Polo and they're both great.

Margaret Wittich ● 4248d