To consider this old banger

[Jaxtellerswife]

I've attached a photo because I didn't want to type it all again, I do apologise!

Depends what the car is.

A 98 polo/clio then probably yes

A 98 Citroen/fiesta then prob not.

Peugeot 106?

It'll probably last you 6m to a year - so if that's ok for you, then it sounds great! And good to build up your no claims. I'd be worried about the 3dr and 2 young kids though?

I should have said I suppose I would only anticipate using it myself for about a year before upgrading to a better car.

@charityhallet yes I did consider that too but once the seats are in they would stay in and I don't mind fumbling a bit to get them secure as I wouldn't be going anywhere long winded to drive or probably even on a daily basis

Go for it, once you've bought it take it to a mechanic you trust (or on a test drive if you can) in case it is very unsafe or has something majorly wrong (an MOT honestly means nothing really as anyone in the trade will tell you) then go for it. If you think that car is 20 years old that's why it's cheap. I'd also haggle on the price! Good luck 😁

I thought this was OLD to start with!

It also depends if it's clean and been looked after, with a good service history (Old MOT's etc). One lady owner is good - one teenage tearaway probably not.

My first car was a 106, it was great.

Engine should be pretty solid and I wouldn't have thought it would have a lot of electrics to go wrong.

I had a Peugeot 106 and my 3 kids fitted in the back. It was shocking and the back all broke, I sold it for scrap. All cars are different but do you know anyone who can check it out for you?

Check the lights work, petrol indicator, temp gauge and speedometer, touch the bonnet when you view it, if it's warm then they may have purposely had it running before you came. Look for oil leaks all around where it is parked. I really hope it's ok for you, I love old bangers and have bought and driven loads.

Saying that ^ My dad had a Peugeot that was from the ark, it is still a runner now (N reg).

@WaggyMama OLD that made me chuckle

All good tips Thankyou! I'm going to take the dog for a walk later and give it a stealthy once over before I meet the guy tomorrow. If it's a disaster I'll pass but for a five minute drive to Asda it could be life changing.

The MOT might be a good sign but it only checks that the car is safe to be on the road, not that it's necessarily going to stay that way, or that it's running properly. It would be worth having a look at www.gov.uk/check-mot-history to see if anything has been identified at its recent MOTs that might be about to go wrong.

I know it only needs to see you through a year but you want to be safe for that year. Check the service history, make sure it's been properly completed and isn't, for example, all filled in in the same handwriting with stamps from the same garage when the car's had four owners in different parts of the country . Have the bonnet up, check the engine for oil in places where there shouldn't be oil (a little around the filler cap fine, splattered all over the engine casing not fine). Check around the battery for signs of corrosion. Get your hands up under the sills and wheel arches to check for serious rust damage. Check the tyres for wear to make sure there's still some tread on them, you don't want to have to replace those. They could cost more than the car Wear should be even across the tyre from side to side - if the wear is greater on one side the tracking/balance of the steering may be wrong. Get in and get someone to stand outside the car and make sure the lights, indicators etc are working properly when you press buttons/brakes.

My first car was a 20 year old VW Polo - I paid £100 for it and got £250 part ex value for it after 5 years so miracles do happen

@mumonashoestring thankyou I will do all of that. I'm going to take someone with me that has half a clue too.

What's the mileage? I have found Peugeot's to be great. I drove my 206 for 8 years and sold it with 190,000 miles on it. I'd guess it will be going for a long while yet as always sailed through MOT.
The less electronics, the less to go wrong and easier and cheaper to fix. Also smaller is better for town/city driving and while you are getting used to driving.
I now actually own an Audi and a Peugeot as I just couldn't give up on Peugeot's.

It's 73000. I've just looked to the mot history and in November it had a parking brake issue but it's been rectified and passed the same month.

That is good mileage, there should be loads of miles left in it (if there is not substantial wrong which it doesn't sound like). However go look as we have looked at a few recently and they looked nothing like the pictures.
I would say test drive and get the speed up as well. As some things don't kick in until higher speed. And no radio on so you can hear if there are any noises.

My car is 1998 or 1999 and worth about that and is a great little runner with about the same mileage and I think might go for a few more years yet. You just can't tell.

I drove an old 2002 Nissan micra to learn in (I didn’t know if I would actually like driving as I was very nervous so didn’t want to waste money on an expensive car that may have ended up just sitting on the drive) and then ended up driving it for around two more years after passing my test because I liked it so much and it was such a good runner. If the car has been well looked after and maintained then there’s no reason that it wouldn’t be fine. I only recently upgraded to a 2015 as my poor old micra finally croaked. I was heartbroken when it was towed away. Go for it OP! Even if it just sees you through your first year of driving sounds like a good option.

Wow I'm feeling really encouraged by these replies. I thought it might be too good to be true but could be a good start at least for me. Now I'm just hoping the guy is a good guy and the car is all it seems!

I thought the car I bought would do me for a year or two. It's now 10 years later. Some years I've had to spend £300-500 on it. Some years nothing. Not expecting anything to go this year and that it'll pass it's MOT later in the year. Sale value is about £250.

An update and a wee pic (if you buy it) would be lovely please @Jaxtellerswife!

@charityhallet will do, I will hopefully know by this time tomorrow. I'm trying not to get too mentally invested

The Peugeot 106 is essentially a citroen saxo, or vice versa. They used the same parts on both cars, I think at the time the Peugeot cost more but can't remember. The saxo was a brilliant car, lasted for ages too. And parts may still be cheap. It should be a good starter car for you. Make sure you service it regularly (oil change, change oil and fuel filters for certain and change spark plugs if it has them) I mean like every 5000 miles and you should be fine with it. Don't go to Peugeot though for a service, or a big named company like kwik fit. The services they do are pointless.

Well thanks for the advice from all.
Let's just say the search continues lol

Oh no! Better luck next time, well done for not buying a lemon