For reasons too boring to list here we've been on the lookout for a 2nd car just for a runaround recently. Lots for sale but always something wrong ie too big, too much rust, too much like a Vauxhall!!! but today we thought we had found the ideal car.

Advertised in the local rag...2002 Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec Silver. plus phone number. Phones him up, turns out he lives about 6 houses down the road from us and I've known him for years.

Nips down the road and have a quick look round, seems ok apart from a couple of small rust spots and quite a nasty looking bash on a rear door. 75000 on the clock but MOT runs out in a couple of weeks as does the Road Tax.

He says to take it a run and we'll speak money after. Drove ok. Gets back and I ask him how much he's looking for. He waffled about saying he should have checked on the internet first to see how much they were going for and how much did I want to pay!!!

I told him I didn't want to insult him but the first thing I would have to do would be to stick a years tax on it £170 and MOT it at least £50 so taking that into account I offered him £500!!!

You would have thought I asked to sleep with his Mrs!!! :) :) :) He looked shocked and stunned and mumbled something about wanting a bit more than that for it but STILL DIDN'T COME WITH A PRICE!!!

Was I being a bit cheap? Do I look bothered? There'll be another one along shortly.

Nah, you did right, he's doubtless hoping to make buyers feel like that. Anyone with any sense would've put 12 months MOT on it prior to advertising it and would have an idea of what the car would go for.

If they don't know what they want I don't see the problem starting low with a cheeky offer, could have grabbed yourself a bargain.

Brought it on themselves but not finding out what it was worth before advertising it.

Is the offer still on the cards, are they coming back to you with a counter offer once they know what it is "worth"?

In 2 weeks the MOT runs out and then its worth £200 - scrap value - so i think your offer is fair enough -

If it had 12 months MOT it would be worth more, of course -

The MOT can be difficult and expensive to pass in an old car these days

Rather convenient timing that he's trying to sell just before the MOT runs out.

I suspect he knows it won't pass and won't sell to you as you live right near him and more likely to be able to find and slap him when it all goes pete tong.

Rather convenient timing that he's trying to sell just before the MOT runs out.

I suspect he knows it won't pass and won't sell to you as you live right near him and more likely to be able to find and slap him when it all goes pete tong.

Sincerely plus one,

Afraid you would call out Samuel L. Jackson on his !Removed! for 500 pounds

]

Or the pug

:D :D :D

Thought 500 was a bit of a lowball number but you can always go up can't you?

Anyway cars still sitting there so I might still get a call back from him. Thought that if he put an MOT on it I would offer him a bit more.

Watch this space :)