Drive, brake, honk - an ode to a budget car

Looking at a car in terms of luxury and passion for driving, spending often knows no bounds. The image, performance, accessories, looks, etc. eat up your wallet and you can easily invest several thousand pounds in your car. The problem is that the money is gone forever.

It is better not to think about the devaluation of a new car. Otherwise, you'll get the idea of ​​what it's like to lose a game of driving. However, you can find a growing number of cars at the bottom of the price scale worth looking at.

Low budget - low risk

Big advantage car worth £500 or less is low risk . New cars lose 30 to 40% of its value in the first year which is equal 3% every month . At purchase price of £17 it means loss 530 pounds sterling by car before being transported. Actually devaluation is progressive in nature, i.e. in the early years it is much higher.

Searching with some experience and common sense you can find something worthwhile in the lower price range.

On the other hand, a low-budget £50-500 car doesn't lose much of its value. . Looking through small ads in this price range, you will be surprised: this is not all the offered scrap . Vehicles ready for operation with valid MOT status for less than £400 really can be found. If the inspection does not reveal serious deficiencies, the car will most likely last until the first MOT period.

If we compare this period with the depreciation of a new car, then the budget car has a clear advantage. When a new car burns a few thousand pounds in a few months, a cheap car just keeps going until it's banned. .

Know what you're getting into

One thing must be clear: budget car requires care and professionalism . Buying a cheap car indiscriminately can be a bad investment. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully monitor the purchase in order to weed out deadwood.

But once you've made your purchase, be prepared to do a bit of DIY work. . A visit to the garage may well be more expensive than the residual value of the car. In the event of a serious defect that you cannot fix yourself, it is better to replace the entire car.

Toasting a budget car

Budget cars for cars, few people care . They are no longer washed and serviced. The last oil change, air filter and spark plugs was a few years ago. . For bargain hunters, these are all arguments for lowering the price - do not be afraid of the deplorable external condition.

On the contrary: if the car doesn't look right anymore, that's a clear sign of the owner who can't wait to get rid of it opening up the opportunity to trade several hundred pounds . Do not forget: price reduction for an extra two hundred pounds compensates for registration for MOT .

Now is the time to check it out

Basically , the car must have a MOT period of at least 3-6 months . A budget car without a valid MOT is difficult and expensive. A tow truck will cost more than a car.
Start the test by opening the hood and inspecting  radiator tank . Black water is a sign oils in the cooling system - Cylinder head gasket defective. Look under the oil tank cap. White-brown foam is a similar feature.

For certain cases of defective cylinder head gasket can be refurbished for £177-265 for materials . However, be prepared to schedule a weekend for this renovation. On the other hand, this will allow you to reduce the price by a few hundred pounds more.

1. Is the engine running?

Starting the engine is a good sign in connection with repairs that would otherwise cost a lot of money: timing belts, timing chain, starter, alternator, battery - everything looks right.

Let the engine run for a while. If any of the following symptoms appear:

– Blue smoke from the exhaust / heavy smoke - rapid rise in temperature - swelling of the radiator hose

they mean engine damage. With some knowledge and experience, they can often be repaired.

2. Engine rumbles without starting

When this happens, at least the timing belt is fine. There can be several reasons for the startup failure. If you're lucky, only the wire from the ignition coil fell off. It can be corrected with a slight movement of the hand.

3. The engine pretends to be dead

The light is on, but when the key is turned, only a click is heard. There can be two reasons: the starter is faulty or the timing belt is broken.

In this case, try kick start . If it locks up when you try, the timing belt has broken - the car is clinically dead. If the kick start is successful, with some experience you will be able to identify and repair the damage yourself.

4. Clutch test

The clutch is a wearing part that sooner or later needs to be replaced in any car. To test this, depress and release the clutch pedal with the handbrake applied and third gear engaged.

If the engine immediately stalls, the clutch is still good. If it continues to run, the pads are worn out. For a non-specialist, clutch replacement is everyday life . Be sure to review all the tutorials you can find.

5. Body check

A non-MOT approved vehicle that exhibits structural component corrosion will not pass inspection without welding. Slight to medium corrosion damage on the doors and wheelhouse can be repaired by hand by leveling .

6. Checking peripherals

On-board wiring must work flawlessly . Electric shock is a serious risk that is not justified.Tires close to wear limit or expired (check the DOT code) are a handy trump card. A set of used tires can be purchased easily and cheaply.

In case of liquid leakage be sure to check carefully. Some things can be easily fixed; others require major repairs.

Courage for tardigrades, exotics and failures

Some cars are better than their reputation, while others are a terrible disappointment.

• Fiat cars tend to fall into the budget segment fairly soon and are therefore usually representative and easy to salvage.
• On the other hand, Volkswagen cars in this price range are not subject to redemption.

The same applies to premium cars .

• Be prepared to invest heavily to restore quality Mercedes or BMW .
• Don't be too quick to discount quirky patterns like Hyundai atos , Daihatsu Charade or Lancia Y10 .

In particular, among these unpopular cars you can find real discounts with a valid MOT and low mileage, which gives you an appetite for savings.

Therefore, bolder !