From the MOT history, 2016,

• Nearside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill (2.4.A.3)
• Offside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill (2.4.A.3)
• Some corrosion on all suspension and brake components
• Exhaust corroded

and the rest of the MOT's, considering the low mileage, don't inspire confidence.

To me it has all the hallmarks of a generally neglected car, i'd be surprised if its seen an oil change since warranty ended, it doesn't sound like the typical older owner who usually look after their cars better than this.

It's banger material and worth about £400 tops, but then only if you can bring it back up standard yourself or you have a very understanding and fair priced mechanic and the corrosion noted in 2016 isn't now beyond treating.

If you wanted it for 18 months to tide you over and the corrosion isn't excessive enough to fail this years MOT, then for the price of a new fan belt (we assume its the fanbelt squealing, it could be the water pump or alternator about to pop its clogs, hence why its worth less than half of what he's asking) and a quick bit of handy spannering by someone it could be a cheap runabout till August 2020, and then you'd might get £3/400 back if the MOT failure sheet wasn't yards long, but i wouldn't be paying a penny over £500 for this car as it is.

The steering judder could be wheels need balancing, or it needs new tyres, but from the sounds of it it might need new discs and pads all round.

Difficult without seeing it in the flesh to give a realistic appraisal of costs.

Edited by gordonbennet on 25/02/2019 at 11:05