General Advice needed regarding prospective purchase of Multipla

[Pinklion]

I'm hoping someone can give us some advice regarding a car we are thinking of buying.

It is a Fiat Multipla, 2005/05, 1.9 JTD Dynamic with 39,000 miles and 2 previous owners, 1 really because the 1st owner was the garage using it as a demo vehicle.

We really like the drive and the practicality of the vehicle and have read all the reviews, common issues, etc. We found a few problems like the trim coming away on the doors on one side and a sticking door handle and a few other small things, which the dealer will get repaired if we want the vehicle. We are also going to ask for the cambelt to be changed because of the age of the vehicle, although the salesman tried to convince us it just went on the miles. I have also managed to negotiate a 3 year RAC warranty and full RAC cover so major issues will be covered. The car will be fully serviced and MOT'd prior to sale as well.

The only thing that is really concerning us is there was a really rusty metal strut/plate under the radiator. We didn't see any other rust on the vehicle apart from some of the screw heads in places. My husband said the water looked clean.

My question is, is it normal for Multiplas to rust in this area or does this indicate a problem?

Thank you for your help.

Karen

p.s. I meant to add, we intend to get a towbar fitted as well, anything we should know please shout!

 

[JTDman]

Dont think thats anything to worry about as its just an easily replacable part and prob not really treated with much protection, mines like that and its a year 2000 so still strong just dont look great.

 

[Pinklion]

Thank you, that puts my mind at rest.

 

[demag]

One thing Karen, Make sure the clutch feels ok. No juddering on take up and you don't have to push the pedal through the floor to get a clean change. You're looking at £6-700 for a clutch change. Other than that most of the other jobs are gremlins. The cars are very charismatic and you will enjoy driving it.

I see you're buying the "ugly" model though!

 

[QinteQ]

If it's on Alloy make sure the fitting plate is in the toolkit, and that:

- the Alloy will fit
- the brand of towbar will allow the spare wheel to be lowered
- that the mechanism EVEN works

Other than that all the usual with any car:

- if your happy with the running gear and every thing else, check each and all electics, bulbs-sunroofs-mirrors-keyfobs, and cold starting-rain-coming in-and in the particular the clutch/gearbox, and test drive it over speed bumps.

If the Council salt applied each winter of the cars life has discolored the front strut I would'nt worry.

Then go for it, join the TreeFrog community, we've got better milage, comfort, practicality, and the bonus of looking down on the rest of the wheel-on-a-corner community.

Re-Gards QinteQ

 

[pondweed]

if your other facelift falls through, I've listed photos of mine now on the forum classifieds and put it at a bargain price