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[Entwood]

Daughter has acquired an N reg VW Polo 1.4. I've not yet seen it but would appreciate any pointers on things to check ... I'm told it only has 69,000 miles on it (if correct) and a decent service history ......

Given her financial/work situation she had little choice ... only passed her test a month ago even though she's 27 ... but her work has moved some miles from where it was and involves a 20 minute walk and an hours bus ride !! By car it takes less than 30 minutes !!

Her total budget for car + insurance was 2 grand, apparently TPF&T on this is just under a grand !!!!!

[Darth Loo-knee]

Just the normal things really Nige.

I have just fitted another engine in a Polo which cost £49 off ebay and it sounds sweet. Gearboxes seem to be dear though...

[henryd]

Just the normal things really Nige.

I have just fitted another engine in a Polo which cost £49 off ebay and it sounds sweet. Gearboxes seem to be dear though...

thats cause they keep going wrong :-?,other than that just the normal things like timing belt and water pump

[feeutfo]

Mrs G has a w reg, is that's even remotely the same... :-/

We had agro to start with, but i don't think any of it was directly the cars fault. All I really know is if the engine management plays up, disconnect the battery for 20mins. Re connect, leave it for 20mins, turn ignition on, leave it 20mins, and that kills all the gremlins.

If it needs a sensor, ESP abs, fit genuine only. It's been good as gold sinse. Although it's been fitted with a cheap exhaust which now seems to be blush a little. But can't blame the car for chavy garage work.

But I guess yours will be a mark1?

[Lazydocker]

Coils can be a bit dodgy at that age and normal maintenance things... HG has been known to fail on the 1.4s but easy job and I would say it's down to poor coolant maintenance Generally a good motor though

[Marks DTM Calib]

At leaste it will ahev servo brakes, unlike the ones producsed a meer 3 years earlier.

Gearboxes are a bit flakey and the cooling system is not the best. Have seen a few goosed engines to and check the sills and rear boot area for rot.

[Entwood]

Thanks for the tips 

Spoke to daughter a short while ago, 69,000 genuine miles, confirmed by ALL the MOT Certificates. Full History. Owned for 14 years by same elderly couple. 3000 miles in the last year, MOT'd 3 weeks ago, 1 advisory for a brake hose. Has some significant "scuffs" on both bumpers but no other body damage.

Was up for £1400 they got it for £1000.

[Marks DTM Calib]

Not enough use then......low mileage is BAD news in my experience.

[Lazydocker]

Not enough use then......low mileage is BAD news in my experience.

Indeed... For any car

But I'm sure Entwood will be there to keep on top of it for her

[henryd]

Not enough use then......low mileage is BAD news in my experience.

Agreed, my 70k omega is much less reliable than my 190k 406, both the same age

[Vamps]

Not enough use then......low mileage is BAD news in my experience.

Agreed, my 70k omega is much less reliable than my 190k 406, both the same age

Yep, same here, elderly owner low miles = perfect car, nope everything decided to go wrong once in regular use.....   Sorry Nige....

[belldarr]

I recently bought a Ford Galaxy V6 2004 with just 30,000 miles - previous owner lived in Portugal 8 moinths of the year so it was sat on his drive for majority of the time and I had concerns that if I started using it everything would go wrong - BUT (fingers crossed) I have had no issues at all in 7 months.  Also bought a little used Ford Explorer last year - again no issues, and just bought a Range Rover that had not been used in at least 6 years and had 38,000 miles - I have replaced all the fluids and filters and that too has had no issues so it all depends on choosing wisely I think

Darren