JDM1983

I’m going to be helping the wife’s friend buy a Ford Fiesta today, I remember many of you guys saying the Ecoboost engines are trouble, could someone tell me what the main things to look out for are please? It’s not a car I would normally buy so don’t know much about them.

Thanks all. I was tempted by the CTEK Nick, but as I’m a tight arse I saved 20 quid and bought a Sealey

Hi all, can anyone recommend a cheapish battery charger/conditioner. Can tell winter is coming, cars are beginning not to start

Download the Flippin Cars auction fee calculator. Does BCA, Mannheim, all the different cards etc. I’ve found it to be pretty close to reality

Fair enough. I don’t buy much though so I don’t fancy my chances.

No, I’ve just swallowed it.

Happened to me the other day, 1st time online bidding as well, everything stacked up on the car and it was supposedly a grade 3. In reality, the car is total creature, grade 4 at best. Had I of been at the block, wouldn’t even have bid on it. Will be a while before I try online again I think.

All your incentives seem to be prostitute based at the moment. To begin with they were offered alive, now they are dead

I’ve had a few, all been good apart from one which I bid online for. Had I of seen it in the flesh, I wouldn’t have bought it.

didn’t think of that Done a lot of these RS200’s, I like them Ive just had some shit luck on a Fiesta, so perhaps things are back in balance now

Bought a Clio RS at the weekend for a good price. Knocked 500 off on the phone, went to see it and one of the keyless door locks was not working and the indicator self cancel not working so chipped the guy another 250 thinking new stalk and door handle (can’t change the button only on the Clio’s). Anyway, spent an hour with it tonight and the door lock turned out to be a low battery in the key remote, result. Took the indicator stalk off, found a couple of tiny springs kicking about in the steering console, put the stalk back together and hey presto. Small beer really I know, but put a smile on my face this rainy evening, another couple hundred in the pocket

My day job is head of engineering for a large transport provider. I trade part time, it’s what I want to do full time, but need to build it up first.

Master degree in Mechanical Engineering, later went on to become Chartered. Education helps you through the door; hard work, common sense and not being a complete cunt seems to be more important thereafter

Just used the eBay service, 99p and the code arrived in less than a minute, worked fine. Can’t go wrong!

I like this idea Nick, might give this a try. Yeah, probably many do think this, which is why they don’t bother. However online reviews are important these days, so you have to play the game and ask. Maybe Nicks approach gives the incentive they need

On handover day, I explain how valuable reviews are to me, how much I would appreciate a review if they wouldn’t mind, and that I will email them details on where to leave the review (which I do). They all say they will do without doubt, but yet hardly anyone ever does. Do you have a better formula, preferably one that doesn’t require gunpoint during the hand over

Yep, only 525 above Cap clean Did you buy it JA Trader

Judging by everything else going through this morning it will, tried a couple of bits I’m interested in but can’t get near the prices some people are able to pay at the moment.

Could be this, has 10 stamps in the book so one would assume it’s been used somehow hadn’t thought of that, could be. It’s a grade 3, so prob a bit nice for an ex track car...cue the comments about BCA grading quality

Thanks Mike, according to MotorCheck no plate changes either

Thanks Casper, I hadn’t thought of ex police or private hire. It’s low mileage and fact it’s a Clip Sport 197 I think it probably not that. Maybe an innocent reason like you say.

Looking at a car coming up at auction next week, 2007, 59k, and the only MOT history for it is from Jan 2019. MotorCheck all comes back clear, no mileage discrepancy, not an import. First owner owned from new until March 2019, current keeper from then and already getting rid of it. Seems odd, unless 1st keeper hard sorn it from 3yrs old until 2019. Any thoughts?

Bought this exact cleaner last month, works a treat! Was using it on Clio RS with the white seat inserts, they were hanging and they came up like new

Depending on your circumstances, you might find there isn’t much choice. If you trade from home, a lot won’t work with you. If you are fairly small, a lot won’t work with you. If you aren’t VAT registered, some won’t work with you.

Good advice this! A week is nothing. I’m new to this like you and I’m typically finding most my cars are advertised for a month before they sell, however I’ve got one I’ve had since May!!