Should I walk away?

[clubmankev]

Hi all, ive been looking out for something recently. A mini with rear seatbelts, a safer spec and what not for carting my young daughter around. I spotted a 98 model with amazingly low mileage,(4,600 kms) in a dealers for under 4 grand that looked nice and tidy, (in the photos) and seemed a bit of a bargain. However, after making some enquiries as to the story behind it I was told the car had suffered some damage in a previous accident, requiring the replacement of a number of panels and chrome work. I am assured the work was carried out to the highest standard and was declared road worthy. The car also has a valid nct. I have arranged to view the car next week, but am a bit put off by the cars past. Should I be?
Was considering a cooper also. Is there much in the difference when it comes down to insurance?
Regards,
Kevin.

[keith]

my 2c:

4.600km in 13 years? *that* needs some explaining and documentary evidence. (past NCT's/MOT with documented mileage)
i'd want to see the engineer's report inc. hopefully photographs of the accident/re-build and know who re-built it.
there may be insurance issues on a badly crashed/rebuilt car.

contact your insurance company for a quote, doubt they will load you for the "cooper" spec. Be sure and mention the car was damaged/repaired. they more than likely will insist on an engineers report.

having said all the above, there is nothing wrong with a car that has been damaged/crashed/rusted etc and then repaired, as long as the repair is good, straight & strong.

[clubmankev]

Seemingly, the car came from the U.K. some years back by a lady, who unfortunately had a prang in it. It lay in storage for some time before being taken on by the current owners, who had it repaired with the intention of passing it on to a son. This never really happened and the car has been in storage all the while.

[The Marcos Graveyard]

If the speedo reads in Km then it's not a UK car originally.

[keith]

Seemingly, the car came from the U.K. some years back by a lady, who unfortunately had a prang in it. It lay in storage for some time before being taken on by the current owners, who had it repaired with the intention of passing it on to a son. This never really happened and the car has been in storage all the while.

if that can be backed up with documentation, old UK MOT's, service history, importation documents which show mileage.... anything that backs up the story... then you can accept the frankly incredible mileage.

still leaves the matter of the crash & repair.

if none of the above can be established within reason and beyond doubt, i'd walk.

[clubmankev]

If the speedo reads in Km then it's not a UK car originally.

Not sure what the speedo reads as ive yet to see the car. The ad gives miles and kilometres.

[woody]

As far as I knowcars with less than 6000 miles attract full VRT

[keith]

Hi all, ive been looking out for something recently.

post some pics?

[tommy1]

hi keith its on donedeal just put in mini 1998 and youl see it in a showroom but private sale

[kerryminigringo]

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2 ... id=2754621&

A car with this low mileage will look like it has low mileage so it would be easy to tell if the figure was genuine.As regards the crash damage,a good look around the area would tell what the repair is like and if they say that it has had chrome replaced it sounds like front end and to be honest with you there are very few Minis on the road which have not had front end panel changes due to rust so really it is down to the quality of the repair.My 91 RSP has had a complete front end during my ownership and has had wings with a previous owner.

[clubmankev]

Well I got to have a good look at this mini today and my bad feeling was confirmed.
The mileage and the english service record were out by a good 5000 miles and thats before the car even reached these shores! (I was not shown any Irish record) It did'nt even take a close inpection to see that the bonnet and boot shut lines were out and the rear subframe still showed the scars of a rear ending. Despite this the paint job was pretty good and she had an immaculate balmoral interior.
Anyhow, this particular car was'nt for me so I walked away.

[D.M.G.T]

Well done man.always best to go with your gut feeling.

[jonathanganly]

I looked at this car as well a few months ago and walked away.