Can anyone advise me about buying a second hand car?

[moneyworries9]

DH and I have found a car we are really interested in buying but have only ever leased cars before. It's a 15 plate Peugeot 5008 with 38000 miles on the clock. We have taken out a loan repayable over just under 5 years. I'm just worrying that in the time we are paying off the loan we'll be hit with big repair bills over and above our loan repayments. Having never had a second hand car, this is completely new territory for us so I'm just wondering how likely it is we'll be hit with big bills on a car that will be between 4 - 9 years old? Can anyone help? Many thanks ☺️

We'll probably be doing 10,000 - 12,000 miles a year in the car, if that helps.

I don't think you can ever predict what repairs might be needed, even with a brand new car.

If it's any reassurance, our car is 13 years old, done well over 100,000 miles and we rarely have to pay any repairs on it. We always buy second hand, never had a problem.

I remember googling the make and model of my second hand car before I bought it, to check out reviews for reliability etc. It was 5 years old and had 59,000 on the clock. I think it was honest John I got details from...and it scored highly in all areas so I went for it. I didn’t regret it, it’s a great wee car I’ve had it 4 years and it’s never broken down, and I’ve not had any massive maintenance bills...biggest one was when brakes needed stuff done. You can never really tell, but often certain makes/models of cars have particular issues and it’s good to find out what these may be.

I bought a 9 year old car and its going strong, it was very low mileage so look for that and has a full service history, that's always reassuring. Peugeot are known for electrical problems so check it as well as possible. Make sure all lights are working etc. Take it on at least a 20 minute test drive and push it hard. Take note of how well it accelerates, how the clutch feels if it's a manual or how quickly it shifts up and down if auto. You want a good 5 minutes at 60 or 70mph and listen carefully for any sounds it makes or any odd feelings like juddering or difficulty getting into gear. Put it in reverse too, both our Peugeots were bastards to get into reverse. Forever sticking or jamming in gear. I know fuck all about cars so just have to go by the way it feels and drives and its history.

Gosh my old car was 13 years old with 150,000 on the clock and barely cost me anything. Obviously, general wear and tear, tyres etc but it was great.
It’s pot luck really but people seem to think anything over 3 years old means bills bills bills. Cars go on and on these days if looked after.
I’m on my 3rd Peugeot now, The only ever cars I’ve ever had and they’ve all been fantastic cars.

Thanks for all of this helpful advice. Sounds promising ☺️ I just feel we have wasted so much money with leasing, hence why we have decided to buy this time. The prices are just so much more affordable in cars a few years old so it seems silly to buy new if this one will last us a good few years ☺️