Wanted: Car in North East area long shot!

[nj_cisca]

Looking for a used car in the Newcastle area. Definitely at the cheaper end of the market probably £1000 max. Preferably something Golf/Focus size, just need enough space to chuck my bike and drum kit in!
Diesel would be ideal but I realize it may be unlikely at that kind of price.
Also if anyone can recommend a reputable dealer in the area (if such a thing exists) that would also be much appreciated cheers.

 

[spike3]

Look at a pre 2000 Golf Diesel estate, they're bullet proof and can be had in good nick for £500, you get electric windows, power steering, drivers air bag and 50+ish mpg. The seats go totally flat giving a good load bed and the tailgate is virtually square so the access is brilliant. I've just sold mine so not much help I'm afraid with actually offering a car but mine sold for £435 with 11 months MOT.

Can't spot a decent golf on ebay right now but this is close to you and looks tidy http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-03-Ford- ... 27deae382e (I do not know the car or owner)

 

[nj_cisca]

Look at a pre 2000 Golf Diesel estate, they're bullet proof and can be had in good nick for £500, you get electric windows, power steering, drivers air bag and 50+ish mpg. The seats go totally flat giving a good load bed and the tailgate is virtually square so the access is brilliant. I've just sold mine so not much help I'm afraid with actually offering a car but mine sold for £435 with 11 months MOT.

Can't spot a decent golf on ebay right now but this is close to you and looks tidy http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-03-Ford- ... 27deae382e (I do not know the car or owner)

Thanks for the advice. Something like the Golf Diesel would be perfect in terms of price, size and mpg. I shall keep a look out. Generally I've always found petrol engines start falling apart after 120000 miles or so but I guess diesels should last a good while longer. In your experience is there anything to check with a higher mileage diesel car?

 

[spike3]

My golf's power steering lines wee starting to look a little rusty and a weep was starting to develop so I'd check that they weren't mentioned on the last MOT. Watch out for smoke from the backend, my golf wasn't a smoker despite being an old diesel so don't settle for one that smokes like a trooper. Check it's cold when you view if it will start first turn cold it should always start, beware if the owner has warmed it up before you arrive. My golf was on 130000 plus miles and still drove tightly. Look for uneven tyre wear suggesting the suspension/steering joints could be on there way out. Buy something with matching tyres as it's a sign it has been maintained properly if it has 4 different tyres from cheap brands all at different wear levels you know the last owner was on a strict budget and may not have bothered with other maintenance jobs. If your looking at the extremely cheap and excellent mk3 golf diesels check when the cambelt was last done, it needs doing with the water pump every 70,000 miles ish.