6 replies to this topic

[goodtime416]

Hello everyone, I am new in this forum and I am planning to buy a used Mini one 3dr Hatchback 2003

A car inspection on the mini that i am interested, it appears that at least 6 different parts require repairs.

These are:

1. Reverse light -Inoperative
2. Wipers/washers - Rear washer inoperative. Front, nearside inner washer jet poorly aimed
3. Air Con operation - No chilled air
4. Front RH tread/Front LH tread - 2mm both
5. Coolant level/Power steering oil level - Both half way between min & max
6. Exhaust pipes/silencer/mountings - Pipes surface corroded. Rear silencer outer skin cracked and disintegrating. Rear hanger weakened. However, no apparent gas leakage and system still secure.

and these looks like quite a big issue right?

how much do you guys think these are gonna cost me? should I let the vendor fix these or its better me doing it? (as in me finding a repair centre)

Also there's some scratches and dents:

There is slight stone/debris chipping to the front of the bonnet.




There are dents in the middle of the drivers door, tailgate to the left of the 'ONE' badge, nearside side panel just aft of the door and above the sill, nearside door aft of the mirror, nearside door just ahead of the trailing edge above the sill and top of the nearside front wing (bonnet).

There are slight, but long scratches on the nearside side panel ahead of the fuel filler and a similar scratch on both the nearside side panel and nearside door.

would it be expensive to fix these?

Thank in advance and hope you guys can help me out!

[Carlos W]

1. Reverse light -Inoperative Could be a bulb or faullty reverse light switch
2. Wipers/washers - Rear washer inoperative could be blocked or faulty pump. Front, nearside inner washer jet poorly aimed Very easy to reposition, can usually be done with a pin
3. Air Con operation - No chilled air Could need re-gassed (£40ish) Could need a new pump, lots more
4. Front RH tread/Front LH tread - 2mm both £200 roughly
5. Coolant level/Power steering oil level - Both half way between min & max Top it up and look for leaks
6. Exhaust pipes/silencer/mountings - Pipes surface corroded. Rear silencer outer skin cracked and disintegrating. Rear hanger weakened. However, no apparent gas leakage and system still secu It's going to want an exhaust at some point


As for the rest, it's a second hand car, you could pay a dent removal company to get rid of the dents, you could have the bonnet painted, and the scratches done, then you could park it in Asda tomorrow and someone could open their door against it and you could be back to where you started.

A few questions,
Is it a private sale or are you buying it from a dealer?
Is it reasonably priced?

If it's a dealer, the car needs to be fit for purpose, and I'd be asking them to fix the washers, air con, possibly tyres etc, if it's a private sale, then I'd be using those things to knock the price down, or see what else is out there for your money.

At the end of the day, some of these things you kind of expect with a "used" car, that's why they're cheaper than a new one

Edited by Carlos W, 22 September 2012 - 10:14 AM.

[dave-88_123]

to be honest that does'nt sound to bad for a 2003 car

[tiger99]

I agree. All of these are minor defects, or fair wear and tear in the case of the tyres and exhaust. I would have been much more concerned if the report listed rust in the scuttle, sills, floor or anywhere else, or low oil pressure, strange sounds or worse. If I was buying a Mini right now I would be delighted if the list of defects was so small, and they were all so easy to fix.

[Carlos W]

I agree. All of these are minor defects, or fair wear and tear in the case of the tyres and exhaust. I would have been much more concerned if the report listed rust in the scuttle, sills, floor or anywhere else, or low oil pressure, strange sounds or worse. If I was buying a Mini right now I would be delighted if the list of defects was so small, and they were all so easy to fix.

Remember he's buying a 2003 BMW MINI ONE

It's only 9 years old

[sledgehammer]

a normal used car - as said above haggle - or move on

[goodtime416]

1. Reverse light -Inoperative Could be a bulb or faullty reverse light switch
2. Wipers/washers - Rear washer inoperative could be blocked or faulty pump. Front, nearside inner washer jet poorly aimed Very easy to reposition, can usually be done with a pin
3. Air Con operation - No chilled air Could need re-gassed (£40ish) Could need a new pump, lots more
4. Front RH tread/Front LH tread - 2mm both £200 roughly
5. Coolant level/Power steering oil level - Both half way between min & max Top it up and look for leaks
6. Exhaust pipes/silencer/mountings - Pipes surface corroded. Rear silencer outer skin cracked and disintegrating. Rear hanger weakened. However, no apparent gas leakage and system still secu It's going to want an exhaust at some point


As for the rest, it's a second hand car, you could pay a dent removal company to get rid of the dents, you could have the bonnet painted, and the scratches done, then you could park it in Asda tomorrow and someone could open their door against it and you could be back to where you started.

A few questions,
Is it a private sale or are you buying it from a dealer?
Is it reasonably priced?

If it's a dealer, the car needs to be fit for purpose, and I'd be asking them to fix the washers, air con, possibly tyres etc, if it's a private sale, then I'd be using those things to knock the price down, or see what else is out there for your money.

At the end of the day, some of these things you kind of expect with a "used" car, that's why they're cheaper than a new one

So those are easily fixed? especially 3 and 6 I am more concerned about because these are more like... inner problem and probably need a lot of work to do (well at least it looks like this way to me
And it is a private sale, I will need to travel to there so should I haggle with the seller on phone or in person? (around 25 pounds travel fee)

Thank you for your help!!! Very appreciate :)

I agree. All of these are minor defects, or fair wear and tear in the case of the tyres and exhaust. I would have been much more concerned if the report listed rust in the scuttle, sills, floor or anywhere else, or low oil pressure, strange sounds or worse. If I was buying a Mini right now I would be delighted if the list of defects was so small, and they were all so easy to fix.

Do you all know how to fix those?? where can I learn these stuffs? I would like to know more about my car and probably if needed, I can do it all myself

Edited by goodtime416, 22 September 2012 - 04:52 PM.