It's a risk, this FL buying malarky...

Went to see a 2005 V6 sport today. Was really looking forward to seeing it.

When I got there it looked really good. Metallic black and very clean outside and in. 77k miles on the clock.
Seller was an independent used car dealer but was very open and seemed kosher enough.

I asked to see the service history - there wasn't any! The woman who part-ex'd it said she had it but then never supplied it.
So I have to assume the cam belts need changing.
However the MOT was from a local dealer, if that means anything!

Tyres were fairly evenly worn but the rears showed wear on the inside - possibly weak rear shocks (although no tow bar). I thought a lift kit might sort the negative camber though.
The spare must have been from the rear because the inside wear was much more obvious on it. It was technically illegal to use.

Coolant looked good, oil looked like it needed changing, but not so much as you might worry about.
Engine was very quiet, no sign of bearing noise at all.

When driving it seemed a little low on power, not too much of an issue, but the brakes were soggy as hell! (Just remembered I didn't check the fluid level!)

Also there was a rumbly hum more noticeable at low speeds and especially while braking. Could be tyre noise but could also be the diff/ird/vcu/vcu bearings!

No resistance at all in forward and reverse on full lock.
VCU was cool to warm after about 15 minutes driving.

I told the seller I wasn't interested and explained my concerns, he basically said he didn't know anything about the car but offered quite a good 6 month warranty (EPG Warranty Assist) and told me to have a think and make an offer if I was interested.

I must admit I felt more tempted then.
What would you do?

hi,personally,i would expect any seller to know all the vehicles on their forecourt,did you try to haggle after voicing your concerns?or maybe ask to see someone who did know anything about it.i have known that feeling so many times when you want something so bad.ask me bird!!

There are deals to be had - is it that one at CJS? At that age and mileage there are the problems that have been fixed, those that are in need of fixing and the ones that haven't happened yet. I tend to assume the worst and expect to pay out between an extra £500 and £1000 on repairs and maintenance in the first 12 months before settling down to usual running costs, something that is partially built in to the price.

I'd try them with a cheeky £2250 and see how hard they laugh and or bite.

I picked up a similar mileage 54 plate Td4 Auto S last month for £2200 that had been advertised for £2800. I have chucked a new VCU and bearings on, new front brakes (pads, calipers and discs), new hoses, EGR removal and a new set of tyres on it. So for £3,000 I now have a car that I'm happy needs little to no work on it apart from routine servicing. Or I could have paid £3500 for one that had some of that work done 20,000 miles ago and would probably need more done soon. I prefer my approach!

The problem is the warranty won't cover a busted cam belt unless there is evidence that the service schedule has been stuck to, which there isn't.
That means I would need to have the 72k service done, which would be in the region of a grand!
(I can't do the cam belts myself)

So should I ask for a grand off and a warranty? On that basis I'd probably buy it.

Hmmm, so their warranty is essentially worthless as there is no service evidence to back it up. I would be asking them to do the service (it will cost them less) and see what they come back with.

NoDosh said:

Hmmm, so their warranty is essentially worthless as there is no service evidence to back it up. I would be asking them to do the service (it will cost them less) and see what they come back with.

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Yep I thought of that as well. Might go down that route.
The more I think about it the rumbling is probably just a VCU bearing which I think I can cope with.

Can you not do the cam belts yourself? It's not as difficult in the Freelander as the KV6 powered MG ZS180. That's a proper ball ache as space is so restricted!!

Alternatively, can you not get hold of the history from the previous owner?

Nodge68 said:

Can you not do the cam belts yourself? It's not as difficult in the Freelander as the KV6 powered MG ZS180. That's a proper ball ache as space is so restricted!!

Alternatively, can you not get hold of the history from the previous owner?

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I've never done it, although I did think about maybe bunging a forum member a few hundred quid or five to take me through it
Yes I could get the last owner's details from the V5 and ask them, maybe offer to pay as I'm sure it's worth more to me than them!

td5nut said:

hi,personally,i would expect any seller to know all the vehicles on their forecourt,did you try to haggle after voicing your concerns?or maybe ask to see someone who did know anything about it.i have known that feeling so many times when you want something so bad.ask me bird!!

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It maybe different in the UK, cos I've been here in NZ over 10 years now and going by what I see here, but I don't think "forecourt" cars are what they used to be.

In years gone past dealers would fix things on cars before they sell them. These days, they just give the car a "professional vallet" and knock it out with problems both known and unknown to them. In fact they generally don't even know the first thing about cars - they just get em in and knock em out.

TBH, buying privately is probably the safer way.

bukko said:

I've never done it, although I did think about maybe bunging a forum member a few hundred quid or five to take me through it
Yes I could get the last owner's details from the V5 and ask them, maybe offer to pay as I'm sure it's worth more to me than them!

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I did this KV6 belts guide some while back.
It's old but still valid. The job isn't that hard really. With the engine on a stand, all 3 belts take 20 minutes tops. The only reason it's long winded, is so much stuff has to be removed to access the belts.


KV6 Belt Change without service tools!! - XPowerForums - For MG, XPower & Motorsport Enthusiasts

My expereince with car warranties is often they are not often worth the paper they are written on because so many condions have to be fulfilled before they pay out - one being evidence of regular servicing in line with manufactures requirements. You need the dealer to fix things and/or drop the price substantially. I can see you want to buy it though!