Mazda 2 - Used car advice, been standing

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Thu 29 Sep 2022 09:43
Mazda 2 - Used car advice, been standing - Scout246

Hi, I'd really appreciate any advice on the following situation...

I'm looking at a (petrol) 2013 Mazda 2 with 95,000 on the clock, £3000 which I will really struggle to find (mostly borrow) but my own 2004 Mazda 2 is now taking more money than is sensible to spend on it at its age. The new car has not been MOTd since July 2021 - it seems to have been traded in and then bought from the dealer by the independent garage I am now thinking of buying it from, so their guess is it's been 'in trade' meanwhile.

The garage has had it for 6 months with no interest but this is what he says about it ...

On the up side, it does seem to be a very genuine little car, in good condition, runs and drives well and it has obviously been well serviced and looked after and has not been passed about, it's only had 2 owners from new (plus us on the V5).

You are right in mentioning the notorious Mazda rust, however this affected pre 2008ish cars,- Mazda sorted this out years ago and the later cars are not affected by the old rust problem.

Our Mazda 2 does not have any rust bubbling anywhere on it (it may look like it due to reflection in the photos) and in my opinion, is very clean and tidy for its age and mileage.

We've had it on a lift and obviously there is some superficial surface rust present underneath but it is in good sound condition with no rot present as is the subframe.

It has also recently had 2 x new rear shock absorbers, new nearside front wishbone arm, new front brake pads, brake discs are in perfectly serviceable condition and tyres are all good.

Once the car is sold it will undergo a full inspection and service and any faults found will be rectified. We don't do MOT's here so it will then go off site to another garage for MOT. and as a rule we do not let any car go with any advisories on the MOT, so if it does get any advisories, these will be rectified prior to it leaving us.

I've also taken it out for a drive and it runs and drives perfectly with no issues.

On inspection it has previously been painted down the drivers side but there is no sign of any repair or damage except for a very slight bump to the drivers side front bumper which has moved the headlight and broken the headlight brackets, these have been repaired but it has caused a slight panel gap around the headlight. The headlight is secure but if it does get picked up on the MOT, it will be replaced. This has been a very slight (carpark) bump and the bumper has not even been cracked.There is no accident damage and the car is 100% HPI and Data checked clear and you are more than welcome to carry out your own Hpi and Data checks for your own peace of mind.

Overall in my opinion this is a good genuine little car in very good condition for a 9 year old car that's done nearly 95000 miles.

Any advice much appreciated, thank you

Edited by Scout246 on 29/09/2022 at 09:44

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Thu 29 Sep 2022 10:57
Mazda 2 - Used car advice, been standing - maz64

If nothing else, the fact that the garage has gone to the trouble of providing all that written information would give me a warm feeling. Impressive.

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Thu 29 Sep 2022 12:04
Mazda 2 - Used car advice, been standing - Oli rag

These are good cars with very few known problems. As above, this sounds like an honest car from a decent place so don't think I'd be too worried about it.

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Thu 29 Sep 2022 13:19
Mazda 2 - Used car advice, been standing - Gibbo_Wirral

"You are right in mentioning the notorious Mazda rust, however this affected pre 2008ish cars,- Mazda sorted this out years ago and the later cars are not affected by the old rust problem."

Is the trader just talking about that particular model or all Mazdas? As there's quite a few MX5 owners with post-2008 cars who still have bad rust issues and the incredibly thin coat of paint.

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Thu 29 Sep 2022 13:36
Mazda 2 - Used car advice, been standing - misar

My previous Mazda was 2009 and still rust free when I part exchanged it in 2019.

Question to the OP. Is the independent garage a reasonably local one you know has been around a while or one you found through a website/advert?

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Thu 29 Sep 2022 14:15
Mazda 2 - Used car advice, been standing - Scout246

My previous Mazda was 2009 and still rust free when I part exchanged it in 2019.

Question to the OP. Is the independent garage a reasonably local one you know has been around a while or one you found through a website/advert?

Yes fairly local, it's out of my way so I don't know them and I did find them online, but going by the street view images they have obviously been there a good while (old signage etc)

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Thu 29 Sep 2022 14:11
Mazda 2 - Used car advice, been standing - Scout246

"You are right in mentioning the notorious Mazda rust, however this affected pre 2008ish cars,- Mazda sorted this out years ago and the later cars are not affected by the old rust problem."

Is the trader just talking about that particular model or all Mazdas? As there's quite a few MX5 owners with post-2008 cars who still have bad rust issues and the incredibly thin coat of paint.

I'm not sure, my own 2 does have some rust bubbling but no advisories in that regard, and for an 18yo car supposedly prone to rust I think that's pretty good going. I have seen mixed opinions on the newer ones though and lots of Mazda's I've MOT history checked have sub frame corrosion advisories which is why I brought it up.

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Thu 29 Sep 2022 16:40
Mazda 2 - Used car advice, been standing - bathtub tom
Our Mazda 2 does not have any rust bubbling anywhere on it (it may look like it due to reflection in the photos) and in my opinion, is very clean and tidy for its age and mileage.

We've had it on a lift and obviously there is some superficial surface rust present underneath but it is in good sound condition with no rot present as is the subframe.

Once the car is sold it will undergo a full inspection and service and any faults found will be rectified. We don't do MOT's here so it will then go off site to another garage for MOT. and as a rule we do not let any car go with any advisories on the MOT, so if it does get any advisories, these will be rectified prior to it leaving us.

On inspection it has previously been painted down the drivers side but there is no sign of any repair or damage except for a very slight bump to the drivers side front bumper which has moved the headlight and broken the headlight brackets, these have been repaired but it has caused a slight panel gap around the headlight. The headlight is secure but if it does get picked up on the MOT, it will be replaced. This has been a very slight (carpark) bump and the bumper has not even been cracked.There is no accident damage and the car is 100% HPI and Data checked clear and you are more than welcome to carry out your own Hpi and Data checks for your own peace of mind.

Advice previously posted here:

1: All car salemen are liars

2: All car salemen are liars

3: Read one and two above

I read the above as, "does not have any rust bubbling anywhere on it (it may look like it due to reflection in the photos)". Means, yes it's rusty.

" there is some superficial surface rust present underneath" It's rotten.

"any faults found will be rectified" Yeah, and pigs'll fly.

"On inspection it has previously been painted down the drivers side but there is no sign of any repair or damage except for a very slight bump to the drivers side front bumper which has moved the headlight and broken the headlight brackets, these have been repaired but it has caused a slight panel gap around the headlight." It's had a substantial accident.

If you're determined to buy it, then I suggest you take someone very knowledgeable to give it a thorough inspection. It's been standing for some time, then I'd suggest other people have walked away from it for good reason.

Edited by bathtub tom on 29/09/2022 at 16:43

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Thu 29 Sep 2022 17:49
Mazda 2 - Used car advice, been standing - maz64

Compare my reply, first one after the original post, with bathtub's above. And you probably won't be surprised to learn that I've bought my fair share of duffers, whereas I suspect bathtub hasn't :)

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Thu 29 Sep 2022 18:01
Mazda 2 - Used car advice, been standing - _

If the OP wants to post a link to the advert, we can give an opinion. If he doesn't want to post publicly send the link to moderators@honestjohn.co.uk and Ill take a peek.

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Thu 29 Sep 2022 18:48
Mazda 2 - Used car advice, been standing - Scout246

If the OP wants to post a link to the advert, we can give an opinion. If he doesn't want to post publicly send the link to moderators@honestjohn.co.uk and Ill take a peek.

Many thanks - have emailed.

Thank you for all the replies, really appreciated

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Thu 29 Sep 2022 19:11
Mazda 2 - Used car advice, been standing - _

The dealer in question advertises on gumtree and ebay. you can check the ebay ratings.

I could not find any good or bad reviews using Google,

Nothing that would potentially put me off, (personal viewpoint) Has it been written off category s or n or whatever the ratings are for that year, ask the dealer, but for a 9 year old car for that price, don't expect perfection. ask to see under it on a lift if you can.

If they do the essentials for the MOT, and you are happy. ok but take a screenshot of the advert..

I can't see any problem with posting the link for the photos here

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Thu 29 Sep 2022 18:56
Mazda 2 - Used car advice, been standing - badbusdriver

There is a 2013 Mazda 2 on Ebay with 94,800 miles for £3195. The panel gap around the drivers side headlamp is a bit wonky too, so it certainly could be it.

If so, there isn't anything particularly alarming about the MOT history. Initially failed 2020 for excessive play on front track rod ends and excessive corrosion on a rear brake pipe. Subsequently passed, but MOT ran out towards the end of July.

2019 Advisories for cracking/perished tyres

2018 Advisories for the tyres, plus play in the track rod ends

Prior to that nothing other than a rear tyre worn close to limit on its first MOT.

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Thu 29 Sep 2022 18:55
Mazda 2 - Used car advice, been standing - bathtub tom

Compare my reply, first one after the original post, with bathtub's above. And you probably won't be surprised to learn that I've bought my fair share of duffers, whereas I suspect bathtub hasn't :)

Oh I have, but I think that has taught me my cynicism and managed to avoid many more.

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Thu 29 Sep 2022 19:02
Mazda 2 - Used car advice, been standing - Adampr

I wouldn't necessarily say no, but bear in mind that the trader almost certainly bought at auction and has no clue as to the history or condition of the car. He's just making stuff up to provide cover for obvious faults.

If you're not confident in your own abilities, take someone skilled with you and just ignore everything the trader says.

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Thu 29 Sep 2022 19:40
Mazda 2 - Used car advice, been standing - Scout246

Thanks very much everyone, lots of food for thought for me to consider, really appreciate hearing your more experienced views than my own!

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Thu 29 Sep 2022 19:51
Mazda 2 - Used car advice, been standing - Xileno

I would be looking closer at that wonky panel gap - what's caused it, why hasn't it been sorted.

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Fri 30 Sep 2022 07:56
Mazda 2 - Used car advice, been standing - expat

For 3000 you would be much better looking for a private seller who is not factoring in a profit. That car would have been bought from an auction for a lot less. Also you should also consider other similar size cars such as the Toyota Yaris which also has a very good reputation.

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