Buyer beware

ENGINE If there are any noises, walk away. The timing belts and water pump should be changed every 100,000 miles. Check for oil leaks from behind the timing cover. It’s the cam and crankshaft seals, so have them replaced. Valve cover gaskets can let go at around 80,000 miles. Check the hoses are soft rather than hard and brittle. Listen for noises from the serpentine belt tensioner and idler pulleys. It’s a heavy bonnet and the support struts can fail. TRANSMISSION The fluid and filter should be changed annually. Shifts should be almost imperceptible. Problems are rare. SUSPENSION, STEERING AND BRAKES Check for looseness over speed humps, which is most likely caused by worn front strut bushes. Front upper and lower wishbone balljoints are fragile. Front wheel bearings can become noisy on early models. Listen for anti-roll bar bushes creaking. Springs can break without warning. Early cars are known for dumping power steering fluid onto the alternator. Warped front discs are a common issue. ELECTRICAL Hard starting or rough running may be failed ECU capacitors. The instrument needles and LEDS can fail but it’s possible to have them rebuilt. BODY Check for surface corrosion on the chassis. Remove the spare wheel and carpet and check the bottom of the boot for flooding. The cause is a worn boot seal, which isn’t expensive. INTERIOR Expect the leather-covered wheel and transmission selector to look jaded. Check the powered aerial works. It might just need lubricating.