Hello again, the wanderer returns.

[billy big skid]

Howdo everyone, I'm returning to the fold so i thought it only polite to re-introduce myself.

I sold my Mk1 2.0HDI van last year, but over the four years i owned it this great forum helped me keep it on the road.

So now i'm about to buy another, this time as a runabout for the wife, not a working vehicle, and couldn't imagine anywhere better than this venerable forum to come for advice.

I've got my eye on a 1.4 Mulitspace Forte with 107K miles and MOT till next June. I've been told i can have it for £900 cash but don't know much about these small petrol engined ones. Is the price reasonable? I've done some research and it seems cheaper than most, plus it's local so we've been to see it and to be honest it looks a good little motor. Cam belt was done 2K ago too with receipt to prove it.

What do you reckon?

[addo]

I reckon the head gasket is the weak point on a 1.4. When it goes (evidenced by oil in coolant, mostly) fix promptly to avoid rotting out the water hoses. Otherwise they last well; mine has the original head and block with original rings and 250K miles on the clock.

[Jed Clampit]

Hello billy welcome back to the forum sorry i can't help you on this one but addo know's what he's talking about :thumbsup:

[Gadgetman]

Yeah, check for oil in the water. Otherwise the engine is pretty reliable.
(It's basically the same that was used in Rallying... )

The price point may be a worry, though.
Check it very thoroughly for rust. Check the rear axle for wear.
The front axles for wear an the gaiters(inner and outer)
Look for dampness on the engine.

If the engine has been steam cleaned, consider staying away from it.
(It's often done to hide that the engine is 'sweating' oil)

Be wary of engines that are warm when you come to test drive it.
(It may be difficult to start when cold... )
Check the gear linkages.

When test driving, check the gearbox, that it transitions smoothly through ALL gears, that the engine doesn't heat too fast or too slow(A cooling problem may be masked by removing the thermostat), that it doesn't lose power at the high-RPM range.

[billy big skid]

Well, we've bought it, it's a clean enough motor. Engine was cold when we got to it and it started straight away, it drives nicely too. Can't spot much rust, i looke where my last Berlingo rotted and it's fine. It was only MOTd two weeks ago, so i'm hoping there's nothing too serious wrong with it, although i know from experience that MOTs can sometimes miss stuff.

Most importantly the wife is happy bunny because it's replacing her old car which some bastard reversed into, writing it off, and legged it.

Thanks for the advice!