Parker´s Guide

When I was buying a used car I was almost %100 relying on this magazine to steer me into finding a good deal, “ more car for your money”. As I was using older cars I was going by the older cars Parkers Guide that my opinion is going to be based on today.

Advertisements.

These are kept to a minimum there are exactly 3 pages of advertisements which is far from many. Some of the advertisements can be help as ...
...cost loans’ and ‘parts and labour mechanical insurance’.

Index.

On page 3 each there is an index with each manufacturer with the page number to find certain cars quickly. Most of the cars only have a few pages so it’s easy to find most. Personally I don’t bother with the index as all the pages are in alphabetical order.

News from the market place.

These have ... more

When I was buying a used car I was almost %100 relying on this magazine to steer me into finding a good deal, “ more car for your money”. As I was using older cars I was going by the older cars Parkers Guide that my opinion is going to be based on today.

Advertisements.

These are kept to a minimum there are exactly 3 pages of advertisements which is far from many. Some of the advertisements can be help as they are based on motoring e.g. so called ‘ low cost loans’ and ‘parts and labour mechanical insurance’.

Index.

On page 3 each there is an index with each manufacturer with the page number to find certain cars quickly. Most of the cars only have a few pages so it’s easy to find most. Personally I don’t bother with the index as all the pages are in alphabetical order.

News from the market place.

These have headlines for example “super mini sums add up”. This section is mainly information like buying an older car works out more ideally and cheaply. This is mainly information like ‘ depreciation’ and what models depreciate more than others. This page is very helpful and also interesting as it builds you knowledge.

Manufactures

There is a page in the Parkers guide at the front of every issue, which has contact numbers, and addresses of all the manufactures.

Your Guide to car insurance.

This is to give you an estimate of how much a car you are interested in is going to cost to insure. This is a very helpful and saves time effort and money phoning up for insurance quotes. Obviously when you narrow down your search to a few cars, its then wise to phone up. Most of the costs given are accurate.

Your Guide to M.O.T checks.

This again can save time effort and money and sometimes your life. It gives you a guide to do a simple check your self so you wont be failed for the silliest of things. It tells you to check the following:

· Doors.
· Mirrors
· Wipers
· Lights
· Turn Indicators
· Rear Fog Lights
· Hazard Warning Lights
· Brake Lights
· Tyres, Pressure and Wear.
· Exhaust Emissions
· Exhaust System
· Number Plates
· Seats and Belts
· Shock absorbers
· Suspension and Steering
· Brake Pipes
· Under the Bonnet
· Steering and Drive Shafts
· Corrosion in Engine Bay.

Some checks are more difficult than others; the whole thing should take no more than an hour or 2.

Guide To Car Auctions

This is another very helpful page. It has the full address and phone number of all the Car Auctions in Great Britain including Belfast and Aberdeen.

How to use the car Guide.

This is very detailed and easy to pick up. It tells you what level your car would come under e.g. Above Average condition, Average Condition, Below Average Condition.

On the pages it says what sort of car would be classed as in Above Average Condition e.g. a car in above average condition would be a car that has done less than 7,500 miles per year and is in above average condition so threes evidence of regular servicing. Allowance is made for general wear and tear according to the age of the vehicle. The bodywork must be free of dents, dents rust or even minor scratches. There must be no faults on the mechanical side of the car and there must be no heavy stains on the interior trim. The tyres, battery, exhaust, brake pads and linings should not need replacing in the near future.

Classics.

The car has the last few pages of classic cars. They are valued slightly different as they go by A, B, C.

A
The cars in excellent condition and has passed a M.O.T test. They will usually have been restored to ‘original’ condition and need no further work carried out in the short term.

B
Cars in road worthy condition that has passed an M.O.T. The bodywork or interior may require work but the vehicle is ready for immediate use. However it will require some expenditure in the future to restore it to ‘ original specification’.

C.
Cars in driveable condition but not necessary to pass an M.O.T test and certainly requiring extensive repair ore restoration work before they can be used on a regular basis.

The actual information

This can be used for both buyers and sellers. For example the information will show the price of the car new e.g. Austin Mini Cooper (H) costs £7125 new and if selling now in very good condition the car would be valued at £2065 and have a trade price of £1,140. The information will show all the info needed like what fuel it takes, m.p.g results, the engine size, and even the amount of cylinders.

You will be in full view of all the special models and what they value the same as e.g. the special edition Mini Ritz values the same as the Mini City. You can see the actual size measurements of the car to make sure it’s going to fit on the drive etc!

Notes.

This is there view on the car. It usually involves what to look for and where to find rot etc.

The car will be given stars out of 5 for the following:

· Parts
· Appeal
· Costs.

This is the main part to notice on a car review. You have to think ahead to where you have to travel to get parts and whether or not you will be definitely be able to afford them.

Van Guide.

This is practically the same as the car guide. You use the same techniques the same knowledge, as a rusty old Transit with 200,000 miles on the clock is not going to be valued as Above Average Condition. If you use common sense you will be able to use the Parkers Guide no problems.

As it’s the older cars Guide it still has vans valuated to the current day. The years on the Vans go from 1992 J. The cars go from 1982 W to 1991 H.

Pages.

The pages in the Parkers guide are very thin and can be ripped easily. As the book is paperback it will get very tatty very quickly.

The Parkers Guide id very expensive. The last issue I bought was Nov/Dec 2001, which costs £3.30. I believe the price is UN changed. I think it’s worth it though because it’s very through and can get you a real bargain.

Thank you for taking time to reading my opinion, Feedback always appreciated however good/bad. Sam Williams ©.

Hope this has become most useful to you.

 

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