23 replies to this topic

[ladygolfer]

Hello
Hope you dont mind me asking this question as I have only just registered!
I have seen a mini one 05 reg, cost £5500 in Silver, mileage 9700 ONLY. I like the idea that it is low mileage as I do around 15,000 to 20,000 a year.
I am going to the dealer on my own and understand that dealers see £ signs when they see a woman coming in on her own :)

Q Can I negotiate on the above price? Or it that a good deal! There is 6 months MOT left and 3 months guarantee
Q Are there any obvious questions I should ask?
Q Is a Mini One seen as inferior to a Mini Cooper for re sale?

It seems to be in very good order, no dents or scratches and tyres are good (which I suppose should be due to the mileage).
Just worried in case its been in an accident or something?
Thank you for any help you can offer...

[Simont]

Hi welcome to the forum, however this is for the classic mini, you would get a better response at www.mini2.com/
however there maybe some guys here that can help you,

Simon

[ladygolfer]

Oh sorry just shows my lack of knowledge. Thank you for your reply

[Sfuller1275gt]

Hi as above prob better off at mini 2 forum. All I can say is those early minis had gearbox and clutch problems I had a 54 reg brand new when they come out within 40 miles clutch went I think this was a common problem with the early ones again there prob will be better advice in the other forum.

[mini*mad]

is that nine thousand seven hundred?
you can get it cheaper
offer £4500 and then argue a point
then settle at £5000
they will defo accept that and its what they want
(I used to be a car trader and often put it up £500-£750 more than i wanted for it)
dealers usually 1 or 2k above haha

Edited by mini*mad, 24 February 2013 - 06:52 PM.

[mini*mad]

Search HPI check
that will come back with most problems unless it was crashed and never mentioned to an insurer
to be honest with that mileage it is unlikely but worth the £20 to check
take a bloke and whatever you say DONT say
I love it
Its perfect
This is the one etc.

and mention good lease deals on brand new ones haha

Edited by mini*mad, 24 February 2013 - 06:51 PM.

[mini-luke]

1) Yes you can negotiate, push for a price discount and get them to give it a full 12 months MOT
3) Yes, they were cheaper to buy new and are less powerful, amongst other things

If you can, take a bloke along, it'll help

[alicetheauto]

That seems slightly steep for that year, it's an old car now. You could get one for £3500-4000 private sale. Although the implied 3 month warranty you get from a dealer could be worth a grand! The earliest ones had clutch and gearbox problems.

[Carlos W]

Why has an 8 year old car only done 9700 miles?

Lots of short journeys are not good for cars!

Can you post up a link to the advert online?

[jaydee]

You'll struggle to find a low mileage bini for less than 7k
Anyway check it has had the thermostat replaced

[mab01uk]

Q Is a Mini One seen as inferior to a Mini Cooper for re sale?

No......the R50 MINI One is actually the lowest depreciating MINI model on price and is often in most demand used because of low insurance and better fuel economy than the Cooper or S, especially for young drivers. Post July 2004 facelift models have a better Getrag gearbox than the original Rover Midland gearbox.
Although the One interior trim is lower spec and the body usually monotone colours the One can easily be upgraded to Cooper spec and the engine is identical so ecu software is easily changed to Cooper spec. if required. The Cooper also has an additional anti-roll bar on rear suspension.

AROnline 2001-2007 MINI Buyers Guide here:
http://www.aronline....mini-2001-2007/

Edited by mab01uk, 24 February 2013 - 08:29 PM.

[ladygolfer]

Oh golly thank you so much for your responses

http://atsearch.auto...201306501594329
Copy of link as above (mileage less than I thought it was)
Apparantly car was owned by a older couple
Seems like a good idea to ask for 12months MOT

[js183379]

Sorry, but in these adverts the car is ALWAYS owned by old people or a "lady driver" (no offense). Get the HPI check, make sure 12 mo MOT included, if you have the older paperwork it should show the previous owner, if possible contact them........if not scan the car, look for any signs of previous accidents (note body filler or body panels that look....off), ask to get the car up on a lift to look under.....

When looking under examine if anything is off.........such as different model/color struts and most importantly, bends or deformities in the frame.


Hope this helps! Don't be afraid! If they say they can't do anything to assist with examining the car (MOT, lift the car, etc) WALK AWAY

[alicetheauto]

A new Test shouldn't be a problem as any car sold by a dealer with a current certificate legally has to be capable of passing one when sold. Therefore they should not argue putting a new one on it if it's in good condition.

[mab01uk]

Looks good, safer to buy from a car dealer these days than a private buyer unless you know about cars, you should get a warranty and an RAC type check included and as said ask for a full years MOT......you can also phone or visit any local MINI Main Dealer and they should be able to verify the mileage and service history from new by the registration number, under their free TLC MINI servicing scheme. As it has not reached normal annual miles it should have been serviced every 2 years instead.

Edited by mab01uk, 25 February 2013 - 12:51 PM.