Advice regarding car for my Mum

[Welton]

Our little Twingo only covers about 1000 miles per year but I still change the oil every April - and the oil always smells a bit of petrol and has darkened a fair bit, it only costs be £30 to do it so is a no-brainer.

[V50 Craig]

Originally Posted by bornmiddleaged

Theoretically a good idea but how would the OP or his Mum find "a good example" unless one or both of them have significant mechanical knowledge, or have a friendly mechanic available to go and look, in addition to getting a cast iron guarantee that the history of the vehicle is genuine?
We can all chuck about examples of old cars with no issues and young cars with issues, but equally easy to find examples of the opposite and statistically speaking, an old car is far more likely to have issues.

Also, psychologically, that is going to be a very hard sell going from a 6-7 year old car to a 15 year old car!

Yeah going backwards is a tough step for some but this is where some people appreciate what a car is where most just see it as a car. In terms of looking at a car, generally speaking if it has a solid service history that's one giant hurdle. Tires is another one for me. If a car is fitted with cheapo tires chances are it's not been looked after as well as an older car still running premium branded tires. It's a small thing something I always look for.

Used cars new or old are always a minefield, always have been always will be. New cars just really aren't built to last anymore though

[Thekilt]

Another thing to consider, and I don’t mean to sound rude or in a bad way but how old is your mother and how tech savi is she? Majority of newer cars have touch screens, complex navigation systems (not maps navi, just getting your way around the system like selecting radio, stations etc.) if she isn’t tech savi going for older cars may be better. You don’t want her being distracted trying to change something like heating while driving along.

[I-S]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011075881527

5 years warranty left on it, very very low running costs.

[XC90Mk1]

Originally Posted by volvo always

Toyota Auris hybrid estate/hatch. Toyota Corolla 1.2 manual estate/hatch.

I have a 2015 Toyota Auris estate and find it great. Auto. £0 road tax as pre April 2017. Bought for 13k in January last year. Got 1 year warranty included and paid £495 for a further 2 years warranty. So 3 years in total. You can extend the warranty until its 10 or 12 years old. Has to be dealer serviced. I have a service plan for 2 years, also includes free MOT test x2 as well as parts I believe.
Hybrid battery also covered if you have a hybrid health check annualy.

I believe if you buy say a 3 year old Toyota, you get the remainder of the 5 year warranty. But check.

Just be aware, Toyota Hybrids and other cars are being targeted by cat thieves. I have fitted an Ebay cat cover for £70.00 Newer cars like Corolla, cats have 85% less precious metals in the cat, so of less value. Yaris Hybrid, cat harder to get at.

James.

I think that’s good advice. If you want reliability buy a Toyota.

[XC90Mk1]

Dacia Sandero. £8 grand and what car car of the year???

For me it would however be a Toyota rav 4. Not my thing but highly reliable, right size and some ground clearance to make it nice to get in and out of.

[StatusRed]

Originally Posted by Thekilt

Another thing to consider, and I don’t mean to sound rude or in a bad way but how old is your mother and how tech savi is she? Majority of newer cars have touch screens, complex navigation systems (not maps navi, just getting your way around the system like selecting radio, stations etc.) if she isn’t tech savi going for older cars may be better. You don’t want her being distracted trying to change something like heating while driving along.

61, not tech savvy but she copes with her current Nissan which is pretty much the same tech wise as anything new currently. Looking at a V40 now.

[HDAV]

Friends wife has a Hyundai they bought when she was pregnant and struggled with her sporty car, it refuses to flew through its mot and is8/9 years old i thopink over 100k too

V40 are lovely a bit low tech inside (may suite her) look at the CC version slightly higher seat easier to get into into but may not suit the dog.....petrol autos are 2.0l rare but great

https://selekt.volvocars.co.uk/en/us...AH&radius=1609

I wanted to get in-laws Into one they bought a manual 1.0 turbo Astra which they don’t like and admit is mistake but refuse to do anything about it......

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by StatusRed

61, not tech savvy but she copes with her current Nissan which is pretty much the same tech wise as anything new currently. Looking at a V40 now.

I imagine the V40 will be more expensive to maintain/repair, in comparison to the Nissan. That's something to bare in mind.

Two different cars, two different leagues so to speak.

[Thekilt]

Originally Posted by Kev0607

I imagine the V40 will be more expensive to maintain/repair, in comparison to the Nissan. That's something to bare in mind.

Two different cars, two different leagues so to speak.

Most mechanical items are Ford parts so not so bad. Electrical items can get pricey if they go wrong. Headlights on the Thor design models for example, VERY expensive to replace.