General Potential 500 owner, need expert eye.

[jonnn]

Cheers people. All questions answered for now.

Read Maxi's guide and it's superb, really helped with some of the things I wanted to know.

Will let you know the progress of the buying now.

 

[jonnn]

UPDATE: Potential 500 owner, need expert eye.

So on tuesday I went to see the actual car, the actual seller wasn't there at the time but we had the keys so I could have a proper look around it inside and out without any hassle from them.

So... Had a good look around and this is what I found:

Inside: everything as expected really, leather still in very good condition, all electrics worked etc. Actually has 25k miles, not 20k.

Outside: A couple of small scratches which were only on the surface and could be polished out. Main negative was there was a couple of small panels missing off the mirror area, after going to the fiat garage to price these up I found I could get the new parts for £30, so no problem really. 2 of the Middle of the wheel caps are missing, £30, and it has the single colour sports wheels .

Overall really pleased with it for the money, so as soon as mine sells, I should well be getting it; anyone want a mini..?

One more problem I noticed, which was either me being really stupid, or the car needing some attention. On the stalk to turn the lights on, there is only one turn, i.e. on or off. When I turned the lights on, only the what I would normally called sidelights came on. Couldn't work out how to turn the main dipped lights on..?

To sum up: Lady owning it says she will give it a MOT and full service but should sell it to me around 6k, so just under hopefully

 

[306maxi]

Re: UPDATE: Potential 500 owner, need expert eye.

So on tuesday I went to see the actual car, the actual seller wasn't there at the time but we had the keys so I could have a proper look around it inside and out without any hassle from them.

So... Had a good look around and this is what I found:

Inside: everything as expected really, leather still in very good condition, all electrics worked etc. Actually has 25k miles, not 20k.

Outside: A couple of small scratches which were only on the surface and could be polished out. Main negative was there was a couple of small panels missing off the mirror area, after going to the fiat garage to price these up I found I could get the new parts for £30, so no problem really. 2 of the Middle of the wheel caps are missing, £30, and it has the single colour sports wheels .

Overall really pleased with it for the money, so as soon as mine sells, I should well be getting it; anyone want a mini..?

One more problem I noticed, which was either me being really stupid, or the car needing some attention. On the stalk to turn the lights on, there is only one turn, i.e. on or off. When I turned the lights on, only the what I would normally called sidelights came on. Couldn't work out how to turn the main dipped lights on..?

To sum up: Lady owning it says she will give it a MOT and full service but should sell it to me around 6k, so just under hopefully

There is no switch for sidelights on the 500 which is good. Sidelights = parking lights and parking lights shouldn't really be in use whilst the car is moving. The 500 has DRL's which will ensure you're visible enough, and if you're not visible enough then you put your headlights on.

Tbh the Police should start giving people fines and points for driving around at dusk and dawn with sidelights on.......

 

[306maxi]

Re: UPDATE: Potential 500 owner, need expert eye.

Also, do you know why the little bits of trim are missing, why it's got the wrong bumper etc etc? Sounds like it may have been crashed at some point?

 

[loveshandbags]

Re: UPDATE: Potential 500 owner, need expert eye.

It all sounds great Jonnn.

Those side lights which are DRLs (Day Running Lights) turn into a 'bright halogen light' on full beam. They can be manually turned off through a 'Menu' setting but I would recommend leaving them on although there's no legal requirement to do so.

Best of luck with the sale of the MINI - hope you get a good price.

 

[TrevC]

Re: UPDATE: Potential 500 owner, need expert eye.

Jonnn
To complete the answer about the lights - if you turned them on with the ignition off, the parking (side) lights would have come on. With the ignition on, dipped headlights come on. As Maxi says, FIAT are being sensible - if it's dark enough to need lights, use dipped headlights.

 

[jonnn]

Not sure why the bits of trim are missing. The man who owned it and bought it from new is very ill in hospital, so his sister bought it off him as a favour and is selling it herself.

From what I gathered there was never a rear chrome bumper, and the front bumper was just added extra. It definitely doesn't have the chrome pack on so that is all I can assume.

I think there may well be a problem with them lights then. When I had the car on (in daylight) I turned the lights to what I would call the on position, and only the smaller lights would turn on, the large lights would not..?

 

[loveshandbags]

Not sure why the bits of trim are missing. The man who owned it and bought it from new is very ill in hospital, so his sister bought it off him as a favour and is selling it herself.

From what I gathered there was never a rear chrome bumper, and the front bumper was just added extra. It definitely doesn't have the chrome pack on so that is all I can assume.

I think there may well be a problem with them lights then. When I had the car on (in daylight) I turned the lights to what I would call the on position, and only the smaller lights would turn on, the large lights would not..?

I wouldn't worry about it. The is going to be sold to you with a service and a MOT.

 

[jonnn]

I wouldn't worry about it. The is going to be sold to you with a service and a MOT.

This is exactly what I thought, if the car has 12 months MOT and has a full service, all of these little things should be sorted. Would like it now however...

 

[306maxi]

Not sure why the bits of trim are missing. The man who owned it and bought it from new is very ill in hospital, so his sister bought it off him as a favour and is selling it herself.

From what I gathered there was never a rear chrome bumper, and the front bumper was just added extra. It definitely doesn't have the chrome pack on so that is all I can assume.

I think there may well be a problem with them lights then. When I had the car on (in daylight) I turned the lights to what I would call the on position, and only the smaller lights would turn on, the large lights would not..?

Regarding the bumper. Fiat NEVER had an option simply add one chrome strip. I would REALLY REALLY recommend you get the car checked out, there are too many little bits missing and strange goings on. There is something going on here IMHO....... Get it checked out by the AA or the RAC or whoever. I STILL think this car has been in an accident.

If the lights are (possibly) not working properly
Trim bits are missing
The front bumper isn't original and doesn't match
Wheel centre caps are missing

What does that possibly suggest?

Please for the freaking love of god, do not buy that car without getting it checked over by someone who knows what they're doing. There are too many strange goings on for my liking........

 

[306maxi]

This is exactly what I thought, if the car has 12 months MOT and has a full service, all of these little things should be sorted. Would like it now however...

Whilst that sounds nice, what warranty if any are you being given? If it's been in a prang and there's damage to the air con or anything else in the engine bay?

Alarm bells should be ringing in your head

 

[jonnn]

Regarding the bumper. Fiat NEVER had an option simply add one chrome strip. I would REALLY REALLY recommend you get the car checked out, there are too many little bits missing and strange goings on. There is something going on here IMHO....... Get it checked out by the AA or the RAC or whoever. I STILL think this car has been in an accident.

If the lights are (possibly) not working properly
Trim bits are missing
The front bumper isn't original and doesn't match
Wheel centre caps are missing

What does that possibly suggest?

Please for the freaking love of god, do not buy that car without getting it checked over by someone who knows what they're doing. There are too many strange goings on for my liking........

Ok then, what do you recommend? Would this not be things that would be noticed in an MOT and service? Done HPI check on it and the car has never been an insurance write off.

 

[jonnn]

Whilst that sounds nice, what warranty if any are you being given? If it's been in a prang and there's damage to the air con or anything else in the engine bay?

Alarm bells should be ringing in your head

Checked the Aircon as well, and had a look under the bonnet to all of which seems fine.

I myself do not have extensive knowledge on how cars work. So what would be the cheapest and easiest way to do it. Baring in mind I'm buying off what is pretty much a family friend?

 

[306maxi]

Please get the vehicle inspected, I don't know how to be any clearer than this!

 

[jonnn]

Please get the vehicle inspected, I don't know how to be any clearer than this!

Yeah I get this...

I'm just asking what the best way to have it done is, as I can't drive it anywhere, and it isn't near to where I live.

 

[306maxi]

Yeah I get this...

I'm just asking what the best way to have it done is, as I can't drive it anywhere, and it isn't near to where I live.

Again, I said that you can get the RAC or AA to go out and view the car............

 

[jrkitching]

...
Please for the freaking love of god, do not buy that car without getting it checked over by someone who knows what they're doing. There are too many strange goings on for my liking........

That is excellent advice which you would do well to listen to. I was 19 when I bought my first car, and to cut a long story short spent my life savings on what I thought was a bargain but turned out to be a repainted, badly repaired vehicle that had to be scrapped 6 months later. I lost the lot.

I too have a bad feeling about this - and I don't think it's any great bargain pricewise, either. From what I've seen of it so far, the seller would be lucky to get £5k cash from the trade.

Personally, I'd just walk away now. There's enough wrong/missing to suggest it's not been well looked after - and that's definitely not what you want to be seeing if you're buying a newish car secondhand.

What part of the country is that car in?

 

[loveshandbags]

Checked the Aircon as well, and had a look under the bonnet to all of which seems fine.

I myself do not have extensive knowledge on how cars work. So what would be the cheapest and easiest way to do it. Baring in mind I'm buying off what is pretty much a family friend?

I would rely on my brother to check out a car thoroughly and combined with my guy instinct I would then decide to go ahead. When my brother wasn't around I would pay for a full AA checkup at a cost of €150 when the car would be up on a ramp. Another good guy to check for body repair is a good reputable repair shop - they can spot the smallest of 'things'.
Maxi's 'alarm bell' has been raised with the front bumper with the chrome insert on a Pop model. I was mistakenly of the impression that the chrome inserts are fitted by the dealer 'aftewards' but with only one fitted it gives the a tell sign that the front bumper was replaced.
Given the 'friend' setup I would suggest giving the seller £150 for a full AA equivalent checkup before they go to all the trouble of a service and a MOT. I get the impression that his car is being sold to you 'in good faith' & I personally wouldn't compromise friendship over a car.

 

[306maxi]

That is excellent advice which you would do well to listen to. I was 19 when I bought my first car, and to cut a long story short spent my life savings on what I thought was a bargain but turned out to be a repainted, badly repaired vehicle that had to be scrapped 6 months later. I lost the lot.

I too have a bad feeling about this - and I don't think it's any great bargain pricewise, either. From what I've seen of it so far, the seller would be lucky to get £5k cash from the trade.

Personally, I'd just walk away now. There's enough wrong/missing to suggest it's not been well looked after - and that's definitely not what you want to be seeing if you're buying a newish car secondhand.

What part of the country is that car in?

Tend to agree. My 406 was an absolute bucket of bolts. That's why we bought a new car, we know EXACTLY what's been done to it, how it's been maintained and so on.

 

[jonnn]

The car is around the bristol area, but the original owner from new lived in London.

Yeah AA check up would be the best way to do it. If only I could speak to the person who owned it from new rather than the lady that just bought it to be kind.

I think I will wait until she has it MOT'd and serviced then I will have another look at it, and get someone with mechanical knowledge or most likely the AA to have a look over it.

She is going to sell the car whether it is to me or not, so might as well get it MOT'd and serviced, otherwise she will never sell it.