mumof4

Have a look in questions about the galaxy, ive just pinned a post in there of things to ask and bits to look at.

This is compiled from posts from members of the forum.Hope this is of some use to those thinking of buying a Gal etc..Thanks to all who contributed. Appologies if some parts are duplicated, but i just copied pasted till i can edit it. Condition of wiper mechanism - is it about to stick Evidence that timing belt and tension pulleys? had been changed Check/ask if motor has been involved in crash Air conditioning - does it need regassed on the test drive... ensure 1.9 diesels get up to speed nicely - if it seems to be lacking - MAF sensor go over some bumps and listen for knocking noises - drop links try all electrics check for even tyre wear if automatic, test out the whole gearbox - including tiptronic check the sills arnt crushed check engine over - check service/milage inside.. Check interior, is it clean? check the steering wheel, has it got too much play in it? Foot rubbers, you can tell if a car has been clocked if they havent changed the foot rubbers as they wear over time. Check the seat belts, If the seats are supposed to move..move them and make sure that they do If it has a stereo, make sure that it works Make sure the air con works and the heater check paint work and body I think paper work should be checked aswell...MOT cert...V5....service history...and also how long owned for. always view in daylight. one thing no one does is take a cd/tape or md and check it works we all turn radio on but what about the other parts of the audio also test drive with all noisy items off radio heater (even on a cold day )but make sure it does work while car is stationary also leave heater of and see if car over heats as with heater on the car runs cooler also make sure car is cold when you get there as noises disappear when warm Also check the tyres for tread depth/damage also the spare if it has one. Check the body work/windows/ and that the wipers work! what about the engine compartment? All fluid levels, air filter, when was the cam belt changed?.....spark plugs tell a lot about the state of the engine...so check one if you can One tip.....if when you first see the car..go with your first impression..if you dont like it then walk away, as the longer you look at it the more you will convince yourself that you will like it! also if possible, take someone with you so that if you do take it for a test drive, they can see if it "crabs"..(subframes) quick check on the brake disc for scoring and lips,take it for a test drive brake at 30mph nice and easy,should not pull left ot right,if the road is smooth(hard to find one i know check the footwells for water Remove oil filler cap and look for creamy gunk either attached to the cap or in the filler hole. Could indicate either water in the oil (possible head/gasket problems) or condensation build up due to the car being used for too many short runs. Either way, a good indicator to run a mile or take a chance and haggle for big reductions on the price! Drive the car on an uncambered straight road (with no other cars around and only briefly for safety reasons!) and let go of steering wheel - should drive straight. Then brake without holding wheel and should brake straight. Any deviation to either side could be track rod ends, drop links, warped disks, unevenly worn pads, tracking, balancing etc etc. Again, either walk away if you don't want the hassle of trying to put it right, or use it to your advantage and get the price reduced! Considerations when buying a Gal... Does it have a log book.....if no walk away No Engine Spray Shield underneath....walk away Oily handmarks inside engine.....walk away Does the seller appear to be a Gypo......walk away If Diesel and the engine sounds like mine....walk away If petrol and the engine sounds like mine....run away quickly Does mileage appear very low for age.....walk away 4X4 if no driveshaft to rear axle....walk away Doesn't start...get your multimeter out....or possibly walk away Hope this helps

Ear plugs...invest in ear plugs.Will drown out the.."are we nearly there yet " chorus from the cheap seats every 5 mins. :)

Al in a thread titled "...Revving it's Nuts Off" :) Glad it's fixed. Did you take any pics? Ahh woofy..beat me to it.hehehehehe.. sat chuckling away to myself here Think ive the lost the title of queen of double entendres.LMAO. Good one A.T.lmao.

Could have had all these questions in one post.... :) Go with Dave on this one, ive already replaced my door handles in my Gal and she has done less milaege than what you stated above.I'm afraid that they door wear quick. Clutch pedal.....fraid i used to be guilty of riding the clutch pedal and resting my foot on mine till i learnt that its a def no no.Though i understand your concerns as i know it is a way of seeing if a car has been clocked.If you are worried that this has happened then ask to see MOT certs etc....and check wear and tear of seats etc..If in doubt, then walk away as the longer you look..the more chance you will convince yourself that it is a good buy.There are loads of Gals/Bammas/Shazzas out there for sale.# That pipe would worry me aswell, though from the pic i cant be sure of which one it is. How much are they asking for it??..(as am assumeing that you are looking and picking up faults.) If you decide that you want it..then haggle over the price stateing cost of repairs etc..and get a warranty thrown in aswell.

Awwww.....im all deflated now!!.. :)

Oooooo errrr !!... :) :) :)

Id start by checking the cable at the back..also check the metal strip on the rear side window..as that is your arial. easy enough to get the HU out....I used pretty small allen keys and thin scredrivers to click in the holes.

well...25 quid for pads all round is way toooo cheap for my liking.

Yes there is and yes we will. Good post there hun.

wow...does on mine aswell!!

The bamma may be basic but you can add to it..loads of peeps on here have added modcons to their cars....dvd systems..sat nav....etccc..all things are possible with the help of peeps on here! personally..id go for the diesel......

Noooo... i checked to see if I had deleted it instead of editing it........as i know i went to edit it.....i know i wrote a post........just wondering if i added it.

:lol: :angry: :D ..God love em.....kids eh.....nice one that Andrew.

Ive just checked the logs, nowt been deleted...so where it go???????..i know i posted a welcome....now im puzzled....

Umm..ang on..i did say hello..where my post go????.......I know i did...i posted before Bleeno, coz i said...oh my.....you have a MKIII, ask away and we shall try and answer and welcome....now what happened to my post??????????????

C'mon wonkydog, did you manage to wipe the grin of your face,and the tears from your eyes and go and speak to the lad about his nether regions pointing north? B)

Ooooooo Bleeno!!..you got there before Nik did.lmao.

Since 1997, Gordon Brown has presided over 80 different tax rises - all of which are listed here. 1997 1. Council tax up 6.5 per cent to Band D average of

Ive only the one..but ive got 3 girls..gawd..lmao. I wonder if he will get the question asking why it points to the ceiling..lmao......ive had that one already.hehe

B) B) ...i am sooo looking forward to hearing how he deals with the poor lads upright effects..lmao.

oh and tell him that what goes UP...will eventually go down hehehehehe

cool....gotta let us know how you get on with the upriseing..lmao.

gotta say..my sons been um..playing tents for some years now., hes just turned 8.Best thing is to speak to him if he was worried enough to tell his sister, these things dont go away!!..Ive always been honest with my kids and if they have asked i have answered.Had some tricky ones along the way, but i answer as honestly as i can but very simply.if you dont speak to him, he will speak to his mates and may get info that you may not want him to know as every parent is different on what they say, how they say and when they say.

dave, i just have to comment that a few times now you havent adited your post after posting!!..nice one.lol. nixon, to be honest, i never even saw this post as it never popped up in new posts for me. welcome to the club by the way.