How serious/costly are these problems?

[Typhoon]

So, found a nice 197 - I've asked the seller to be straight out honest with any problems.

Small dent (fine!)

He's also said condensation in headlight due to a bulb being changed and the rubber not being put back on correctly and it's now correct and should dry out.

Two other faults, last MOT advisory stated:

N/S ball joint has slight play and also a tiny bit of play in steering drum stick.

What are your thoughts?

Cheers,

Lee

 

[BIGASH]

On the 197's the ball joint is a swivel assembly and very expensive to repair compared to a ball joint

 

[MarkCup]

I did both ball joints on my 200 and after Renault UK picked up 40% of the total cost I still had little change left from £500.

Expensive!

 

[Typhoon]

I've just text the guy saying it's an expensive fix, is he going to knock some money off and his reply is;

"it's not the ball joint because I bought one for about £8 and had to take it back because it was play in the end of the steering arm or something. I got quoted £80 for parts to have it done but like I said it doesn't affect me as I only drive 6 miles a day".

 

[M26]

Sounds like the sort of guy that would say "The discs and pads are down to the metal and need done but it doesn't affect me because I only drive 6 miles a day". I'd be avoiding the car after hearing that one line !

 

[Addicted]

Sounds like the sort of guy that would say "The discs and pads are down to the metal and need done but it doesn't affect me because I only drive 6 miles a day". I'd be avoiding the car after hearing that one line !

Probably the same when it comes to servicing (in regards to oil/belts)

 

[Typhoon]

He said he has proof of belts being changed 6K miles ago, that wasn't a problem. It's just these other factors.

 

[MarkCup]

Pay for a professional vehicle inspection? Might just save you several hundred pounds.

 

[Typhoon]

Pay for a professional vehicle inspection? Might just save you several hundred pounds.

Might sound silly, from where?

 

[klm182]

from the aa or rac.. if your a member they maybe cheaper... add say about £100..

 

[Ianboom]

I reckon the faulty 'drumstick' is the inner track rod, about £50ish from Renault and you may possibly need to buy/make/borrow a tool to replace it.

If the bottom swivel has failed (common problem) they're £200 from renault and took me 4 hours to replace on the drive. You can get the swivel pressed out and replaced for about £50 but you'll be without the car whilst it's been sent away.

If everything else is good on the car, i'd expect £3/400 knocked off the price.

Ian.

 

[.Adam.]

Pay for a professional vehicle inspection? Might just save you several hundred pounds.

How good are professional inspections Mark?

I know I've seen RAC/AA advertised, but always been a bit dubious about forking out the money for what could potentially be a Kwik-Fit style inspection.

 

[Chi]

If he hasn't done the advisories what else needs doing.. avoid

 

[Typhoon]

The garage have that car back in today and they've said it's the drum stick between the steering rack and the trackrod end and that he's been quoted £26.80 for parts.

Sound correct?

 

[MarkCup]

?

 

[Typhoon]

?

Bit childish mate.

We all know what I'm on about...

 

[MarkCup]

LOL

I'm not technical at all, I'll bow out now so someone who actually knows what they're talking about can comment...

 

[skinz]

The aa use a company called dekra - it's cheaper to go to them direct, when I got my mr2 (London and I'm based in edinburgh), they provided a very comprehensive inspection, that said they only inspect and speculate on driveway/ roadside - no lifting, so if there's something not obvious it could be missed

 

[ilovewilly]

Plenty of them about, find another.

 

[Typhoon]

Plenty of them about, find another.

That's the problem - I can't find many about - especially in my price range of 5-5000, with 55k or less miles, climate and not red.

Haha.

 

[K_McDermott]

A friend of mine has a black 56 plate 197 very clean car only done 44k and is after 5495 pm me and if your interested I'll put you in touch

 

[AlexW]

Get the seller etc to change the track rod end (drum stick), it might not be balljoint