[grumbleduke]

I'm going to be viewing a 147 1.9 JTDM it's a 2005 and has done 75k, spoke to the owner and he sounded like an older guy and he didn't know too much about the history (wasn't a great phoneline) as it is his wifes car. I managed to find out he has had it just over a year and had it serviced and cambelt changed, the car also has a long MOT.

I understand when i look at the service history that i need to check if clutch, upper wishbones and if the waterpump have been replaced. However my biggest problem is that the car is currently SORN (reason is they bought new car then tax ran out so swapped insurance so cannot buy tax, fair enough). Given that i'll only be able to check it over, start it up and maybe go back and forwards in a driveway is there anything noticeable i'd be able to spot?

If the car seems genuine (i think it is) I'd switch my insurance and tax it to test drive it before handing over the cash obviously.

 

[cuttlefish]

Sound like mine would be ideal for you, shame you're so far away.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130563247822&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1586.l2649#ht_500wt_1090

Are you sure you couldn't get away with a quick drive?

 

[grumbleduke]

Yours is also blue, i've yet to have a blue car

Might be able to push a quick drive, it's not in town so slight possibility. Although you just get that vibe having spoken to someone that they'd not be up for that lol.