Excellent condition full-size 4×4, with extensive service history, recent service, long MoT, fully valeted, with great specification including 7-speed automatic gearbox with paddle shift, full leather interior with contrasting piping, dual-zone climate control, cruise control with speed limiter, colour satellite navigation, 6-disc CD changer, 20” alloy wheels, headlamp washers, parking sensors all round, reversing camera, heated seats etc etc… Nearly £50k list price when new! This is a great opportunity to acquire a top-spec luxury off-roader in terrific condition!

In the details below, you’ll find full details of the specification, vehicle history, and a thoroughly detailed condition report.
Twenty-eight large-format photos also below!

The Back Story

I’m a great fan of Mercedes… I’ve had several myself and have found them to provide an almost unbeatable combination of comfort, equipment, versatility and reliability.  It was an easy choice then to buy in a top spec ML AWD to meet the requirements of a long standing customer, and send it off on one of the world’s longest test-drives!!

OK – to put that into a bit more context!! In December last year, I was asked to look out for a full-size highly competent all-wheel-drive vehicle for friends-of-friends.  This would be the fourth time that I’ve helped out this English family (Donna and husband Daryl) – who now live in Australia.  Daryl is a former ski-instructor, and periodically they come over from Australia for an extended break; they tour round visiting family and friends in the UK, then drive to Austria – in the depths of winter – for a couple of months of non-stop ski-ing.  Then they drive back to the UK, whiz round relatives again, and then fly home.  My role is to sell them a car for this Grand Tour, and then buy it back at the end of the trip, and offer it again for sale – hence why the ML is now back with me and available for sale.

On this occasion, the ML covered nearly 5000 miles during their trip, touring round Europe.  It did so impeccably, and coped wonderfully with deep snow, freezing temperatures etc.  It cruised effortlessly and comfortably on the motorways, took all their possessions and equipment, and proved to be the ideal choice of vehicle for them – this is the second time they have taken a Mercedes ML from me, after the previous one looked after them so well.

This example – the ML 300 CDI Grand Edition – was first registered in October 2011.  Its first owner kept it for just ten months, and put about 9000 miles on the clock. The second owner looks to have then kept the car for only another few months, but the third owner kept it through to May 2015 when it changed hands with about 29,000 miles.  The fourth owner then ran the ML for over six years, selling it on in August 2021 with around 56,000 miles on the clock.  The next owner then kept the car another six months, until March 2022, adding only another couple of thousand miles, when selling it to the sixth owner – in Washington, Tyne & Wear – who kept it until Donna and Daryl bought it in December last year with just under 73k miles on the clock.  It now shows a little under 78k miles, and with seven former keepers altogether.

Mercedes ML Ownership in General

Make no mistake, the ML is a big car – it has enormous road presence, and you feel insulated from the hustle of normal motoring when you sit in it.  You sit high up, with a commanding view of the road ahead, and with an environment of peaceful calm, coupled with the ability to cope with almost any road or weather conditions.  The ML seems completely unflappable, with the power to cope with anything that gets thrown at it.  It will cruise happily, quietly and comfortably for hours on end, or act almost like a sports car, or suggest that it can yomp across open fields (not that I’ve tried that!).  And despite all that, at its heart it is a Mercedes, which brings legendary build quality, solidity and reliability. 

As you might expect from such a large, powerful car, it isn’t the most economical, and the road tax is also pretty eye-watering – but you are getting a heck of a lot of car for your money!

The ML was originally introduced way back in 1998 – the first generation model running through to 2004, when this second generation model was introduced. This version ran through until 2012, when the final version was launched, which ran through to 2015.  This example is one of the last of the second generation models, benefitting from the post-2008 facelift. 

This is the ML 300 Grand Edition CDI BlueEfficiency model, fitted with a V-6 cylinder 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine, producing 204bhp and a crushing 500Nm torque.  This gives it a very acceptable 0-60mph time of under 8- secs and a top speed of 130mph, so it is perfectly happy flattening the countryside, cruising down the motorway or autobahn, or pulling up outside a swanky hotel or restaurant.  Despite all that power, it’s surprisingly economical, with figures of 36.2mpg on the Extra Urban and 31.0mpg on the combined fuel test!  It’s Euro 5 compliant on the emissions, and road tax is a pretty shocking £710 per year….best not to ask really!

Out on the road, the ML just feels hugely capable; it is comfortable and assured, accelerating with confidence, handling well and cruising smoothly too.  It benefits from a huge equipment roster too, to make you feel even more pampered too – and this car clearly benefits from the assurance of the low mileage, recent service, long MoT, full valet and transferable warranty.

Specification of this example

This ML is fitted with the hugely powerful, yet economical 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel engine.  Here, it develops 204 bhp and 500 NM torque, which is plenty to overcome the physical size and weight of the car and still enable it to accelerate like a sports car!  0-60 comes up in under 8 seconds… and cruising at almost any speed is not a problem.  The interior is huge – one of the main reasons that Donna and her family love the cars so much.  There is masses of space for all the family, the seats are super-comfortable, and even when five-up, the boot space is equally massive. 

The Grand Edition model equipment level also goes on for almost ever  – justifying the near £50k price tag when the car was new twelve years ago!  Dual-zone climate control, remote powered tailgate, electrically adjusted powerfolding mirrors, automatic lights and wipers, full black leather interior with contrasting piping, side running boards, parking sensors all round with rear colour reversing camera, headlamp washers, heated electrically adjustable seats, dual zone climate control, downhill descent control, cruise control with speed limiter, colour screen satellite navigation, 6-cd changer with video player, 20” diamond cut alloy wheels with mud & snow tyres etc etc.  And that’s before you consider the super-silky-smooth 8-speed automatic gearbox, with column change and Tiptronic steering wheel mounted controls.

The Grand Edition was a limited edition version produced by Mercedes for just over a year, and costing around £3k over the standard models.  The Grand Edition specification includes blue-tinted thermal insulation glass all-round, dark-tinted headlamps and LED technology for the daytime driving lights and sporty, darkened tail lights. Aluminium roof rails and an extensive chrome package with an AMG radiator grille and underguards at the front and rear round off the additional exterior features.  Optionally, as in the case in this example, unique 10-spoke (5x’Y’) 20” alloy wheels could also be specified.
Inside, the man-made leather is fitted with contrasting piping seams, there is Poplar wood trim, and dark-coloured headlining.

This car’s condition

It’s finished in Obsidian Black Metallic, set off by the very imposing 20” diamond-cut alloy wheels.  Overall, the car is in outstanding condition – the paintwork is smooth, glossy and has a deep shine to it, and it all looks stunning. There’s no damage of any significance to the bodywork at all – no dents or scuffs, just a few light stone chips and scratches consistent with the age and mileage.  Three of the wheels have some very light kerbing marks and some delamination of the lacquer, but it’s minor and, in my opinion, doesn’t yet justify any repair.

The recorded mileage of just under 78,000 miles is absolutely warranted to be correct.  The Mercedes has had eight services recorded – the first five by Mercedes Main Agents and the three subsequent ones by independent garages.  These are all detailed below. 

The ML also has an MoT through to the end of November 2024, which is clean with no advisory items.  As you would expect, it goes, performs, steers, stops etc just as you would want and expect it to do.  Like all Mercedes, it has a chain-driven camshaft, so there is no cambelt replacement to be worried about either!

The Mercedes has also been fully valeted and Experian Data Checked (like HPI) and is clear (again, as you would expect).  All the owner’s handbook, electronic service record and subsequent service book, COMAND Sat nav and audio handbook etc are present with the car. Like all our cars, the Mercedes also comes with a 100-pt mechanical and functional inspection report.

The Motoring Press view

Giving it an excellent rating of 4.0 stars out of 5, Parker’s Car Guide praises its stylish looks, outstanding diesel engines, interior quality and commanding driving position, and comments:-

“The styling is understated and elegant, the interior is comfortable and attractive, plus it drives well – both on and off-road – the whole package oozes subtle sophistication. There are some cracking engines too, including a whisper-quiet V6 diesel.
Compared to the previous M-Class, the interior is vastly improved. The driving position is excellent and the seat offers great side and lower back support along with multiple adjustment. Although it’s a familiar sight on the American market, the ‘stick-selector’ auto gearshift may not be familiar to UK buyers. It’s on a stalk by the steering wheel while manual changes can be made with buttons behind the steering wheel. Quality is excellent and the upmarket interiors give it a suitably classy feel.  A well packaged interior means five adults can travel in comfort. The ride is smooth, the seats supportive in the right areas and there’s plenty of head and legroom for all passengers. Superb sound insulation – and improved engine technology – means that the diesels remains quiet, even under heavy acceleration. 
Fuel consumption from the diesel V6 is average (30mpg in everyday driving) for a car of this size.  Mercedes-Benz’s reputation for high quality engineering and quality has taken a knock in recent years. However, the M-Class seems to show the firm is back on track. The plasticky interior of the old 1998-2005 car has been replaced by one that feels much higher quality. On motorways it cruises comfortably and there’s enough power from all engines for easy overtaking. Its sharp steering, responsive brakes and excellent body control means that it can make quick progress on B-roads.  Its off-road ability is surprisingly good and it should be able to tackle everything that an average buyer can throw at it. It’s user-friendly to use too – electronics deal with slipping wheels, lack of traction and descending hills, so it’s difficult to go wrong.”

Equipment and Features
> Finished in Obsidian Black Metallic paintwork, with charcoal leather interior trim, piped cream
> 2,987cc V6-cylinder fuel-injection turbodiesel engine, producing204bhp and 500Nm torque
> 7-speed Automatic gearbox with column mounted “stick change” and steering wheel mounted paddle shift control
> Power Assisted Steering (PAS)
> Dual-Zone climate control
> Mercedes COMAND Audio system, with RDS radio, 6 in-dash CD changer, Video player, auxiliary external media input, Bluetooth phone connections, steering-wheel mounted radio controls, and integrated anti-theft protection
> Colour screen inbuilt satellite navigation system
> 10-spoke (5x’Y’) 20” diamond cut alloy wheels
> Cruise control with Speed Limiter function
> Electric front and rear windows with one-touch operation on all windows
> Electrically adjustable, heated door mirrors with power-folding
> Anti-lock braking system (ABS) and Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
> Downhill Descent Control
> Power Operated tailgate
> Remote control central locking, with two full remote controls
> Front and rear parking sensors and colour reversing camera
> Tinted windows
> Headlamp washers
> Automatic headlights and automatic wiper controls
> Electrically adjusted and heated front seats, with adjustable lumbar control and height adjustment to each
> Three rear seats, each fitted with 3-point seat belts, and head restraints and ISOFIX seat mountings to the outer two seats
> 60/40 split folding rear seat
> Height and reach adjustable steering wheel
> Driver’s, Front Passenger’s, side and curtain airbags
> Day running lights
> Front and Rear fog lamps
> Multifunction trip computer
> Heated rear window
> Rear wash/wipe system
> 12v charging point
> Side running boards
> Twin integrated roof rails
> Removeable boot liner
> Retractable rear parcel shelf/load cover
> Tailored front and rear Original Equipment carpet floormats, and secondary rubber floormats
> Warning triangle

History and Documentation
> The current mileage is showing as 77,802 miles which is warranted as correct.
> The ML comes with its V5 registration document.  It was first registered 24^th October 2011, and transferred to its second keeper 22^nd August 2012.  The third owner registered it on the 7^th November 2012, and kept it until 29^th May 2015.  The fourth owner then ran the car until the fifth owner registered it on the 18^th August 2021, and the sixth owner on the 4^th March 2022.  Donna and her husband registered it on the 10^th December 2023.
> The current MoT expires 24^th November 2024.  It was issued 25^th November 2023 at 72,757 miles with no advisory items.   
> An MoT history printout shows the following MoTs:-
25,500 miles;  15/10/2014
29,243 miles;  29/05/2015
35,063 miles;  20/05/2016
40,120 miles;  13/05/2017
46,593 miles;  23/06/2018
50,054 miles;  01/06/2019
53,708 miles;  28/05/2020
55,114 miles;  24/05/2021
57,026 miles;  22/02/2022
68,702 miles;  21/02/2023
72,757 miles;  25/11/2023
> The car has been Experian Data Checked (similar to HPI), and the buyer will receive a copy of the report – which shows no problems, but advises that the car has been registered on five different personalized number plates
> The car has been serviced eight times, with details as follows:-
10,099 miles;  22/08/2012 – Mercedes Main Agent, Electronic service record
16,898 miles;  16/08/2013 – Mercedes Main Agent, Electronic service record
29,243 miles;  02/06/2015 – Mercedes Main Agent, Electronic service record
35,514 miles;  14/06/2016 – Mercedes Main Agent, Electronic service record
46,258 miles;  30/05/2018 – Mercedes Main Agent, Electronic service record
56,574 miles;  05/10/2021 – Independent Garage, service invoice
68,807 miles;  24/02/2023 – Independent Garage, service invoice
72,582 miles;  05/09/2023 – Independent Garage (my mechanics), stamp in substitute service book
> The owners handbook, COMAND audio and sat nav guide, and book pack are all present.

Bodywork and Interior Condition
> As you can see from the photos, the bodywork is in excellent condition. 
> There are no areas of dents or scuffs, and the whole car looks stunning.
> Inevitably at this age and mileage, there are a small number of light stone chips and light scratches – but it remains in outstanding condition for its age and mileage.
> The interior is like new, assisted by the Original Equipment black carpet floormats, and secondary rubber floormats, fitted throughout

Mechanical Condition and Wheels/Tyres
> The car has covered just under 78,000 miles.  It goes very well indeed – and runs, steers, stops and goes round corners just as you would expect
 > All the interior warning lights come on and go off as they should.
> The road wheels are 10-spoke 20” diamond-cut alloys; three of them have minor kerbing scuffs – in two cases, to a single spoke on each wheel, and in the third some scratching to the rim – and some delamination of the wheel lacquer, but not enough to warrant repairing and repainting them
> The road tyres are all excellent quality M&S (Mud and Snow) tyres in 265/45 x 20 size.  The front tyres are a pair of Vredestein Quatrac 5 tyres with between 4mm and 5mm of tread, and the rear tyres are a pair of Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 tyres. With 5mm of tread. The spare wheel is a space-saver wheel, fitted with an unused Dunlop tyre with 4mm of tread
> The locking wheel nut key, jack and tools are present

Summary

All in all – this is an excellent opportunity to acquire an outstanding condition top quality luxury 4×4.  Frankly, if the speedometer didn’t say so, you would struggle to believe that this car has covered nearly 78,000 miles – it looks stunning throughout and drives very well indeed.  Mercedes generally have an excellent reputation on the used market, for their top quality construction, comfortable and cossetting interior, performance and reliability.  This ML is no exception, and one look at its extensive equipment roster and original £50k price tag tells you what you need to know!  Couple that with this example’s extensive service history, long MoT, thorough valet, and hugely powerful 3.0-litre V6 Turbodiesel engine, together with amazing fuel economy for its size and weight, and it’s hard to think of a reason not to buy it!

If you have any questions, please mail me or call me on 07917-234897.  Any inspection or accompanied test drive is welcomed by appointment.

A note about Warranties

We go to exceptional lengths to assure the mechanical condition of any car that we sell.  Cars are generally much more reliable than was the case in the past – but they are ever increasing in complexity and should the unthinkable happen, repair costs can be high. 

We go to exceptional lengths to assure the mechanical condition of any car that we sell.  Cars are generally much more reliable than was the case in the past – but they are ever increasing in complexity and should the unthinkable happen, repair costs can be high.  Many buyers prefer us to keep the price of our cars low, so we do not include a mechanical breakdown warranty as standard.  However, we are agents for the industry-leading warranty provider – Warranty Wise. Due to the age of this Mercedes, the highest level of WarrantyWise warranty available for purchase is the Bronze level cover.  This covers 100% of the repair cost on all major mechanical components, at labour rates of up to £75ph.  This would cost £349 for 6-months or £449 for 12-months.  It will cover repair costs up to £1000 for any individual claim, and up to a combined maximum of the purchase cost of the vehicle.   

Outstanding condition one-owner car, with full BMW main agent service history, just serviced, long MoT, fully valeted, with huge specification including 8-speed Automatic gearbox with paddle shift, dual-zone climate control, 18” alloy wheels, full leather interior, parking sensors all round, power tailgate, cruise control, colour satellite navigation, heated seats, keyless entry and start etc!  This is a great opportunity to acquire an ultra-low-mileage top quality mid-range SUV in terrific condition!

In the details below, you’ll find full details of the specification, vehicle history, and a thoroughly detailed condition report.
Twenty-three large-format photos also below!

Here’s a fabulous opportunity to acquire a top condition example of this best-selling BMW SUV, with full history and huge specification!

The Back Story

I bought this BMW into stock just recently from family friends.  In the past, I’ve sold cars to both children of the family, but this BMW was bought new by the father in 2018.  It’s been used exclusively in London since then – which explains the low mileage as local journeys were often done by tube, rather than by road.  However, with advancing years and sadly failing eyesight, the father (Tim) decided the time has come to give up driving; with one look at the condition and specification of this car, I was delighted to buy the BMW into stock and now offer it for sale here.

I collected the BMW from North London, and drove it the c.120 miles back to Stroud, during which journey it impressed me very much.  The handling and roadholding are excellent – doubtless as a result of the four-wheel drive.  It has plenty of performance too, and it’s extremely comfortable.  The sound system is superb, and obviously everything works as it should.

This example was first registered to Tim in March 2018, and he has owned it ever since – putting just under 30k miles on the clock. He and his wife have loved the car and say that it has truly been the best car that they have ever owned.  As you might expect, it has behaved faultlessly, always being serviced by the local BMW Main Agents.

BMW X1 Ownership in General

BMWs generally have a terrific reputation on the used car market.  They are highly desirable for their quality, style and driving dynamics.  Even amongst the overall desirability of BMWs, the X1 stands out as its top selling SUV – and with good reason.

The X1 was originally introduced way back in 2009, but the first generation didn’t really hit the mark.  In 2015, BMW launched this completely revised second generation model – and aced it.  Sharp styling, a more modern and space-efficient platform, and a huge uplift in interior quality and style propelled this model into the limelight, where it has won countless awards in the press as “best SUV”. 

The second generation model was on sale until 2022 – so this example dating from 2018 is mid-production run.  It boasts the 2.0 turbodiesel engine, matched to permanent four-wheel drive and an 8-speed fully automatic gearbox.  The engine produces a storming 188bhp and 400Nm torque, which explains its excellent performance figures – 0-60mph in under 8 secs and on to a maximum of 136 mph (where legal of course!).  Its modern design makes it highly economical too – running on the Euro Emissions Euro 6 status (so it is London ULEZ compliant) with figures of 65.7mpg on the Extra Urban and 60.1mpg on the Combined fuel test cycle!!  Road tax is £180 per year.

Whilst this might be the smallest BMW SUV model, that’s not to say that it is short of space – there is plenty of room inside, and the boot is huge.  Out on the road, it drives just as well as you would expect any BMW to do – and much better than many SUVs.  Any body roll is tightly controlled, and it manages to deliver a high-up driving position with great visibility, at the same time as feeling like it hugs the road and corners like a regular saloon.  On the motorway, it is comfortable and assured, cruising well with the cruise control and automatic transmission, whilst the dual zone climate control keeps everyone soothed.  This example is very well equipped too – and also benefits from the assurance of the very low mileage, fresh service, recent MoT and full valet. 

Specification of this example

This X1 is fitted with the economical yet very powerful 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel injection engine.  Here, it develops 188bhp, which gives it both rapid acceleration and assured cruising.  There’s plenty of interior space, the seats are very comfortable, and the equipment level on this X-Line X-Drive model includes everything that you might reasonably want.  

X-Line and M-Sport share the position of “top spec” in the X1 family – both ahead of the lower SE and Sport.  X-Line concentrates more on luxury, comfort and sharper design features, whereas M-Sport has more sporty credentials including stiffer suspension.

X-Line specification is already very comprehensive – and there are some well chosen options on this example too!  Dual-zone climate control, 8-speed automatic gearbox with paddleshift option and manual/sport settings, 18” diamond-cut alloy wheels, parchment-colour full leather interior, remote-folding rear seats, powered bootlid, colour satellite navigation,  iDrive infotainment control, parking sensors all round, electric windows all round, electrically adjusted, heated and power-folding door mirrors, cruise control with speed limiter, height adjustable front seats, heated front seats, DAB radio with CD-player and Bluetooth, front and rear foglights, keyless entry and start etc.

There’s a whole host of safety features too, such as loads of airbags, BMW Intelligent Safety collision avoidance, traction control, ISOFIX seat mounts front and rear, seat belt pre-tensioners, ABS, immobilizer, and tyre pressure monitoring.  Like most quality German cars, it is also equipped with a first aid kit and warning triangle. That’s all in addition to the permanent four-wheel drive of the BMW X-Drive system, which gives assured and safe handling and roadholding, whatever the road conditions.

This car’s condition

It’s finished in BMW Arctic White, set off by the smart 10-spoke (5x’Y’) 18” diamond-cut alloy wheels, and is in outstanding condition.  Normally, cars that have spent their life in inner-city locations show some battle scars – but not in this case.  There are a few isolated stone chips, and some light scratches to the top of the rear bumper have been neatly touched-in (apparently caused when fighting with a fridge being put in the boot!).  The only thing of any real note is that the two front alloy wheels have been kerbed on the rims – I don’t think it’s bad enough to justify refurbishment.   The whole car is very smart and presentable, as shown in the photos.
There’s a sticker on the windscreen advising that the car has been treated with Williams Racing Paint Protection – there’s a registration card for this too in the bookpack, and the paint has stayed very shiny!

The recorded mileage of just under 30,000 is absolutely warranted to be correct – assured by the one-owner from new.  There’s no service book as such – the service history is held by BMW electronically, but there are copies of the invoices for all the three services and one repair – these are all detailed below.  The last service was completed in October 2023, since when the car has covered just 500 miles.  There’s no fixed servicing interval – the car advises servicing through a dashboard display that currently indicates a further 10,000 miles to the next service.

The MoT is through to March 2025 and is clean, with no advisory items.  As you would expect, the X1 goes, performs, stops and steers etc just as you would want and expect it to do.  As with all BMWs, the camshaft is chain-driven, so there is no cambelt replacement to be concerned about either!

The X1 has also been fully professionally valeted, and Experian Data Checked (like HPI) and is clear (again, as you would expect).  The owner’s handbook, v5, and all servicing receipts are present with the car, and like all our cars, the X1 comes with a 100-pt mechanical and functional inspection report.

The Motoring Press view

Giving it a excellent rating of 3.9 stars out of 5, Parker’s Car Guide praises its sporty handling, practicality and high quality interior, and comments:-

“As its name suggests, the BMW X1 is the smallest model in the firm’s broad SUV line-up.  The second-generation car was a huge improvement. Introduced in 2015, it was now derived from a much more modern and space-efficient platform.  It was far more SUV-like, with a confident stance and rich detailing that masterfully aped the much larger and pricier BMW X5. The interior was a world apart too, with a welcoming feel and a big lift in quality.

If you’re after the top of the range diesel, the xDrive20d is as good as it gets in the X1. While the X1 is a fully-fledged SUV, it’s still a BMW – so there’s a keen focus on sportiness and handling dynamics. As a result, the X1 drives just like a taller 1 Series to drive; there’s a smidge more bodyroll (where the body of the car leans when going through corners) and the centre of gravity feels a touch higher, but otherwise it’s really not far off BMW’s sweet-handling hatchback. Models equipped with xDrive all-wheel drive enables immense traction coming out of corners – especially in greasy conditions – while steering feel is well-judged. It’s light enough at low speeds for easy parking, but weights-up encouragingly once you get going, enabling precise and direct handling. It’s also sharp and responsive off-centre, which makes it quite good fun as it feels eager to turn into bends. The LED headlights are particularly impressive and one of the best we’ve experienced in the dark. They’re not just bright, but consistently so across a wide area ahead of the car.

Space up front is adequate for an SUV of this size, but you do feel slightly more hemmed-in, owing to the more cocooned cabin design. The high seating position does provide a good view out for all.  Overall, the X1 has a well-judged driving position with enough adjustment in both the seat back, base and steering wheel to ensure most drivers are comfy.  BMW isn’t usually associated with gargantuan luggage areas, but the X1 does well against the competition in its class, delivering impressive luggage capacity and very low loading lip – handing for hauling large items into the back. What’s more, if you fold the rear seats down via a switch in the boot (40:20:40 split as standard), they sit nice and flat making it easier to load long, awkward items in.

Like all BMWs, the X1’s interior feels superbly made and features one of the best infotainment systems on the market.  BMW’s iDrive infotainment still leaves a number of rivals trailing in its wake for sheer ease of use and functionality, especially the aged Mercedes Benz GLA. It’s easy to operate while on the move and boasts sharp, clear graphics and easy-to-navigate menus. The premium feel of the materials may differ depending on what trim level you go for, but the level of outright quality is always consistently high. Everything feels well screwed together and tightly held in place, with no noticeable squeaks or rattles in any of the cars we’ve experienced.

Should you buy one?

The 2015-on BMW X1 was a breakthrough car for the firm. After missing the target with the original, this one hit the bullseye, taking the fight to rivals such as the Range Rover Evoque and Volvo XC40. It was sold worldwide and actually became BMW’s best-selling car. It’s really satisfying to drive, with agile handling and a premium feel. All the engines are powerful and they’re surprisingly fuel-efficient too, particularly the diesels.  Even the earliest 2015 cars still look fresh and contemporary, too. Now’s a great time to check out the smallest BMW X1 and add a touch of practical, family-friendly premium class to your driveway”

Equipment and Features

> Finished in Arctic White paintwork, with Parchment perforated full leather interior trim
> 1995cc 4-cylinder fuel-injection turbodiesel engine, producing 188bhp and 400Nm torque
> 8-speed Automatic gearbox with steering wheel mounted paddle shift control, manual and sport modes
> Selectable Sport and Eco Pro driving modes
> Power Assisted Steering (PAS)
> Dual Zone Climate Control
> Satellite Navigation system with colour screen
> BMW integrated RDS DAB Radio, with single-CD player, Bluetooth integration for phone and music playing, roof-mounted shark-fin aerial, steering-wheel mounted radio controls, and integrated anti-theft protection
> 10-spoke (5 x ‘Y’ pattern) 18” alloy wheels all fitted with top quality Bridgestone Turanza ultra-low-profile tyres
> Cruise control with speed limiter
> Powered bootlid opening and closing
> Electric front and rear windows and one-touch operation on all windows
> Electrically adjustable, heated door mirrors with power-folding
> Electric parking brake
> Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
> Dynamic Stability and Traction Control System
> BMW Intelligent Safety system with automatic collision avoidance
> Front and rear parking sensors with visual display
> Remote control central locking, with two full remote controls
> Tinted windows
> Heated front seats
> Height adjustable front seats
> Three rear seats, each fitted with 3-point seat belts, and head restraints and ISOFIX seat mountings to the outer two seats
> 40/20/40 split folding rear seat, with remote electric release from boot area
> Height and reach adjustable steering wheel
> Driver’s, Front Passenger’s, Side and Curtain airbags
> Keyless Entry and Keyless Start system
> Engine Start/Stop function
> Front and Rear fog lamps
> Multifunction Trip computer with distance to empty, average mpg, average speed and speed limit warning (traffic sign recognition) functions
> Heated rear window
> Rear wash/wipe system
> 12v charging point
> BMW First Aid Kit and warning triangle
> Twin cupholders
> Tailored front and rear floormats

History and Documentation

> The current mileage is showing as 29,907 miles which is warranted as correct.
> The X1 comes with its V5 registration document.  It was first registered 5^th March 2018 to its one and only private owner
> The current MoT expires 4^th March 2025.  It was issued 14^th February 2024 at 29,576 miles with no advisory items.   
> An MoT history printout shows the following MoTs:-
19,724 miles;  05/02/2021
22,802 miles;  17/02/2022
26,662 miles;  15/02/2023
29,576 miles;  14/02/2024
> The car has been Experian Data Checked (similar to HPI), and the buyer will receive a copy of the report – which shows no problems.
> The car has been serviced three times.  There is no service book as BMW record servicing details electronically.  There are receipts for the following services and repairs:-
14,145 miles;  15/10/2019 – BMW Main Agent
21,937 miles;  26/10/2021 – BMW Main Agent
29,408 miles;  25/10/2023 – BMW Main Agent
> In addition, there is a BMW Main Agent repair invoice from February 2023 (when the MoT was completed at 26,662 miles) covering replacement of front and rear brake pads and the two front tyres.  Additionally, the brake fluid was replaced, all wiper blades and – somewhat unusually – both bonnet support struts
> The owners handbook and declaration of conformity are both present.

Bodywork and Interior Condition

> As you can see from the photos, the bodywork is in excellent condition.  There are no scuffs or scrapes anywhere, and not even a trolley dent to be found.  There’s one or two touched-in stone chips, some touch-ins to scratches on the upper face of the rear bumper – but that’s now barely noticeable and the whole car looks almost like new
> A windscreen sticker advises that the paint was protected from new by Williams Racing Paint Protection – it’s certainly still very shiny and glossy, so that seems to have done some good too!
> The interior is like new, assisted by the black carpet floormats fitted

Mechanical Condition and Wheels/Tyres

> The car has covered just under 30,000 miles.  It goes very well indeed – and runs, steers, stops and goes round corners just as you would expect
 > All the interior warning lights come on and go off as they should.
> The road wheels are 10-spoke 18” alloys; two of them have kerbing marks to the rims, but not badly enough to warrant repairing and repainting them
> The road tyres are all premium Bridgestone Turanza tyres in 225/50 x 18” size.  The front tyres have around 6mm of tread, having been replaced just over 3000 miles ago.  The rear tyres have around 5mm of tread remaining. The spare wheel is a space-saver wheel, fitted with an unused Hankook tyre with 3mm of tread
> The locking wheel nut key, jack and tools are present

Summary

All in all – this is an excellent opportunity to acquire a top quality modern SUV in outstanding condition.  With very low mileage of under 30k, and with one owner from new and full BMW service history, the provenance and history of this car is rock solid – just what you would want to see.  The X1 looks thoroughly modern and stylish, and with the X-Drive four-wheel-drive system it drives and handles superbly.  The X-Line trim brings a very high level of equipment, including the colour sat nav, heated full leather seats, parking sensors all round, cruise control, powered tailgate, etc etc – all supported by the super-smooth 8-speed automatic transmission.  This example also has the top spec 2.0 16-valve turbodiesel engine, giving fantastic economy and ULEZ compliance, yet with excellent performance too.   BMW has a justifiably high reputation in the trade for the driving dynamics of its cars, and this example is no exception to that.   
If all that wasn’t enough, this example also has a very recent MoT, thorough valet, and a 100-pt vehicle inspection.  It’s hard to think of a reason not to buy it!

If you have any questions, please mail me or call me on 07917-234897.  Any inspection or accompanied test drive is welcomed by appointment.

A note about Warranties

We go to exceptional lengths to assure the mechanical condition of any car that we sell.  Cars are generally much more reliable than was the case in the past – but they are ever increasing in complexity and should the unthinkable happen, repair costs can be high.  Many buyers prefer us to keep the price of our cars low, so we do not include a mechanical breakdown warranty as standard.  However, we are agents for the industry-leading warranty provider – Warranty Wise. If you wish to do so, you can optionally purchase a top-level very comprehensive WarrantyWise Platinum vehicle warranty for this X1, covering 100% of the repair cost on all mechanical and electrical components (around 5000 parts!), at labour rates of up to £75ph, at a cost of £389 for 6-months or £499 for 12-months.  It will cover repair costs up to £5000 for any individual claim, and up to a combined maximum of the purchase cost of the vehicle.   
This is the top level of cover available – lower levels are available at reduced cost, if you wish.
Please click on “our services” above for more details.

Excellent condition four-owner car, with thorough service history, just serviced, long MoT, fully valeted, with great specification including 7-speed CVT Automatic gearbox with paddle shift, air conditioning, RDS-radio with CD player and aux input, electric windows all round, power-folding heated door mirrors, 15” alloy wheels and Honda “magic seats”!  This is a great opportunity to acquire a low-mileage small automatic hatchback in terrific condition!

In the details below, you’ll find full details of the specification, vehicle history, and a thoroughly detailed condition report.
Twenty-three large-format photos also below!

Here’s a great opportunity to acquire a cost-effective example of this class-leading Honda hatchback, with desirable automatic transmission, in excellent condition!

The Back Story

I originally sold this Jazz six years ago to Marion – the mother of a family friend.  In that six years, Marion and one of her sons have between them covered about 10,000 miles in the Jazz, during which time it has behaved faultlessly.  However, Marion is now of advancing age, and has decided to finally give up driving – so I have been delighted to buy the Jazz back into stock and offer it here for sale.

I went down to Bournemouth to collect the car, and drove it the 100-or so miles back to Stroud, during which journey the Jazz impressed me once again.  It drives very well, delivering a good turn of speed combined with comfort and space.

This example was first registered in January 2007.  It’s first owner kept it just over a year, selling it on in March 2008 with about 9000 miles on the clock.  The second owner then kept the Honda for the next seven years, taking it up to around 50k miles when they parted company in September 2015.  In March 2018, I bought the car with just on 70k miles, had it serviced by my service agents and sold it to Marion, who has had it ever since.  During the time that Marion has had the car, it has always been stored in an underground car park at the flats where she lives – and so has been shielded from the worst of the coastal weather in Bournemouth!

Honda Jazz Ownership in General

The Jazz has a terrific reputation on the used car market – not just for that legendary Honda build quality and reliability, but also for the huge space inside this physically-small car.  The motoring press universally recognize this, with comments such as:-

• “If you want a Tardis, buy a Honda Jazz. It really is so ridiculously practical that if your situation dictates the need for small on the outside and big on the inside, there’s little else to touch it.” (Autocar)
• “The Honda Jazz is an unusual small car, but its practicality and reliability are unbeatable in this class” (Heycar)
• “It’s simply the most versatile small car on sale and one that’s easy to recommend. 10/10” (Honest John)

This generation of Jazz also features Honda’s so-called “Magic Seats” – where the rear seats can flip up to give some added versatility – see the photos.  This is particularly useful if you have tall things to stand upright behind the front seats, such as garden plants, or a bicycle – which you can then do without risking getting the boot dirty!

The Jazz was originally introduced way back in 2002 – and this is one of the last of the first generation models.  It’s the 1.3-litre 5-door model, fitted with a 1,339cc 4-cylinder petrol engine, producing 82bhp and 119Nm torque.  This gives it a very acceptable 0-60mph time of 14.0 secs and a top speed of 100mph, so it is perfectly happy either running around town or out on the open road or motorway.  It’s not the fastest of cars, but equally you never feel like it is too slow or under-powered.  It’s highly economical too – running on the Euro Emissions 4 standard (so it is London ULEZ compliant) with figures of 55.4mpg on the Extra Urban and 47.9mpg on the combined fuel test!  Road tax is £180 per year.

Out on the road, the Jazz feels capable beyond its size and motoring segment.  It is comfortable and assured, accelerating with confidence, handling well and cruising smoothly too.  It’s well equipped too – and this car clearly benefits from the assurance of the low mileage, fresh service, recent MoT and valet.  All of those benefits also come before you consider the outstanding economy figures.

Specification of this example

This Jazz is fitted with the economical yet powerful 1.3-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine.  Here, it develops 82bhp, which is plenty to whizz this car along very acceptably.  It gets up to speed comfortably, and maintains it without a problem out on the open road.  There’s plenty of interior space, the seats are comfortable, and the equipment level on this SE model is what you might expect from the class above.   Air conditioning, electric windows all round, electric heated and powerfolding door mirrors, smart alloy wheels, high quality audio system with steering wheel controls, remote central locking, and the CVT automatic gearbox. CVT gearboxes have grown in popularity in recent years, although they can seem a little strange at first; essentially, there are no “gears” as such, as the car adjusts the engine revs and power output in line with the accelerator position.  This gives the effect of the car holding a steady engine note, as the speed rises.  In all cases, manufacturers set a series of pre-defined artificial gear positions (in the case of the Jazz, there are seven pre-determined “gears”) which then enables drivers to select gear ratios in the same way that you would a conventional automatic.  It all works away busily by itself – ultimately, like all automatics, you simply select “Drive”, press the accelerator and the car does the rest in the background!  In the Jazz you can also select the gear ratio via the paddle shifts behind the steering wheel.

This SE model sits quite high up in the specification hierarchy, and brings all the features that you might want – air conditioning, 15” alloy wheels, RDS Radio and CD-player with aux input, electric windows all round, electrically adjusted and heated power-folding door mirrors, steering wheel mounted radio controls, height adjustable driver’s seat, ABS, power steering etc – as well as a whole host of safety features such as loads of airbags, ISOFIX rear seat mounts, seat belt pre-tensioners, ABS, immobilizer etc. All that is on top of the CVT Automatic gearbox too!

This car’s condition

It’s finished in Alabaster Silver Metallic, set off by the smart alloy wheels.  Given its age and mileage, it’s in outstanding condition.  There’s a scuff to the driver’s side rear bumper corner, that extends through to the rear wheel arch – but it’s not too unsightly.  The wheels have all suffered from some minor kerbing damage, and there are a few isolated chips, scratches and trolley dents as you would expect – but it remains very smart and presentable, as shown in the photos.

The recorded mileage of just under 80,000 is absolutely warranted to be correct.  The car has had eleven services recorded in the service book – the first eight of which was at Honda main agents.  These are all detailed below.  Marion thought that she had had an additional service completed; whilst there is no record of this (no receipt or stamp in the book), when my mechanics completed the last service a few miles ago, they reported that everything looked clean and fresh and only the oil and oil filter needed changing – which supports Marion’s recollection.  The Jazz has an MoT through to January 2025, which is clean with no advisory items.  As you would expect, it goes, performs, steers, stops etc just as you would want and expect it to do. The Jazz has a chain-driven camshaft, so there is no cambelt replacement to be worried about either!

The Jazz has also been fully valeted and Experian Data Checked (like HPI) and is clear (again, as you would expect).  All the owner’s handbook, service book and a sheaf of servicing receipts etc is present with the car. Like all our cars, the Jazz will also come with a 100-pt mechanical and functional inspection report.

The Motoring Press view

Giving it a strong rating of 3.5 stars out of 5, Parker’s Car Guide praises its excellent practicality and space, frugal engines and cost to run, and comments:-

“Honda’s Jazz is one of the cleverest superminis around. A thoroughly modern design it is innovative in its use of space with remarkably good head and rear legroom. It’s also well equipped and is available with frugal and characterful engines.

The Jazz is at its best in town where it’s both friendly and fun to drive. The 81bhp 1.4-litre engine was the engine that the Jazz was launched with in 2002 and it suits most drivers’ needs as it has no problems keeping up with traffic plus acceleration is brisk enough for quick lane-changing.  It’s just as impressive on the motorway, cruising easily at 70-80mph.The Jazz is an easy car to drive around town thanks to its light steering and controls. On A and B roads it feels sharp and composed, with firm and responsive brakes. It’s not fun, but certainly safe and predictable. The Jazz is only let down by its firm ride

Thoughtful use of space means that the Jazz seats five without anyone having to breathe in. Origami-like seats fold, tumble and can be stowed to create an exceptionally roomy interior. It’s possible to get a pushbike in the back – very impressive for such a small car – while passengers get plenty of head and legroom all round. The steering wheel is fully adjustable and there’s an excellent driving position, although the seats are a little on the firm side. Good all-round visibility from the tall design and large glass areas make the Jazz great in town while the attractive cabin has a clear layout and chunky switches which are user-friendly. Despite its tall design, there’s no problem with wind noise and the engine is well insulated.  The model was given an interior freshen-up in late 2004, which meant a redesigned fascia and self-illuminated controls.

The Jazz is cheap to run with low insurance costs and cheap servicing. It’s a shame that none of the engines emits less than 120g/km, which would make them cheap to tax, but fuel economy is good.  We’ve yet to hear of anything serious go wrong with the Jazz. Interior build quality is spot-on with quality materials used throughout while panel fit is perfect and there are no suspicious rattles or squeaks.”

Equipment and Features

> Finished in Alabaster Silver Metallic paintwork, with grey and charcoal patterned cloth interior trim
> 1339cc 4-cylinder fuel-injection petrol engine, producing 82bhp and 119Nm torque
> 7-speed CVT Continuously Variable Automatic gearbox with steering wheel mounted paddle shift control
> Power Assisted Steering (PAS)
> Air conditioning
> Honda RDS Radio, with auxiliary input socket, single-CD player, roof-mounted aerial, steering-wheel mounted radio controls, and integrated anti-theft protection
> 9-spoke 15” alloy wheels
> Electric front and rear windows and one-touch operation on the driver’s window
> Electrically adjustable, heated door mirrors with power-folding
> Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
> Remote control central locking, with two full remote controls
> Tinted windows
> Three rear seats, each fitted with 3-point seat belts, and head restraints and ISOFIX seat mountings to the outer two seats
> 60/40 split folding rear seat
> Height adjustable steering wheel
> Height adjustable driver’s seat
> “Magic” folding rear seats
> Driver’s, Front Passenger’s, and twin side airbags
> Rear fog lamp
> Trip computer with average mpg readout
> Heated rear window
> Rear wash/wipe system
> 12v charging point/cigarette lighter
> Tailored front and rear floormats

History and Documentation

> The current mileage is showing as 79,403 miles which is warranted as correct.
> The Jazz comes with its V5 registration document.  It was first registered 9^th January 2007,and transferred to its second keeper 3^rd March 2008.  The third owner registered it on te 30^th September 2015, and Marion bought it on the 3^rd April 2018.
> The current MoT expires 30^th January 2025.  It was issued 31^st January 2024 at 79,389 miles with no advisory items.   
> An MoT history printout shows the following MoTs:-
19,022 miles;  14/12/2009
23,702 miles;  06/01/2011
27,780 miles;  05/01/2012
33,252 miles;  03/01/2013
37,983 miles;  06/01/2014
45,962 miles;  05/01/2015
53,928 miles;  06/01/2016
63,301 miles;  03/01/2017
69,533 miles;  02/01/2018
71,890 miles;  07/01/2019
72,943 miles;  06/01/2020
74,531 miles;  08/01/2021
75,997 miles;  13/12/2021
78,330 miles;  09/01/2023
79,389 miles;  31/01/2024
> The car has been Experian Data Checked (similar to HPI), and the buyer will receive a copy of the report – which shows no problems.
> The car has been serviced eleven times, with the stamped-up service book showing:-
  8,769 miles;  05/02/2008  – Honda Main Agent
14,156 miles;  20/01/2009 – Honda Main Agent
19,018 miles;  14/12/2009 – Honda Main Agent
23,381 miles;  09/12/2010 – Honda Main Agent
27,780 miles;  05/01/2012 – Honda Main Agent
33,251 miles;  03/01/2013 – Honda Main Agent
39,983 miles;  06/01/2014 – Honda Main Agent
45,954 miles;  05/01/2015 – Honda Main Agent
53,928 miles;  06/01/2016 – Independent Garage
70,605 miles;  29/03/2018 – Independent Garage
79,398 miles;  05/02/2024 – Independent Garage (my mechanics)
> In addition, there is a repair invoice from December 2021 (when the MoT was completed at 75,997 miles) covering replacement of front and rear brake discs and pads, replacement of suspension top mounts, brake pipes and hoses, and two tyres
> The owners handbook, service book, and book pack are all present.

Bodywork and Interior Condition

> As you can see from the photos, the bodywork is in very good condition.  There is a scuff to the driver’s side rear bumper corner which extends through to the rear wheel arch on that side – this has been touched in.  The asking price reflects this damage, so if the new owner requires it, this could be professionally repaired and repainted prior to collection, at cost.  There are a few touched-in stone chips, one or two light scratches and a couple of trolley dents – but it still presents very smartly and in very good overall condition for its age and mileage.
> The interior is like new, assisted by the black carpet floormats fitted

Mechanical Condition and Wheels/Tyres

> The car has covered just under 80,000 miles.  It goes very well indeed – and runs, steers, stops and goes round corners just as you would expect
 > All the interior warning lights come on and go off as they should.
> The road wheels are 9-spoke 15” alloys; all of them have kerbing marks to the rims, but not badly enough to warrant repairing and repainting them
> The road tyres are a mixture of budget makes in 185/55 x 15 size.  The front tyres have between 5mm and 6mm of tread, and the rear have between 6mm and 7mm of tread. The spare wheel is a space-saver wheel, fitted with a barely used Bridgestone tyre with 3mm of tread > The locking wheel nut key, jack and tools are present

Summary

All in all – this is an excellent opportunity to acquire a very good condition small modern hatchback.  Frankly, if the speedometer didn’t say so, you would struggle to believe that this car has covered 80000 miles – it looks smart throughout and drives very well indeed.  The Jazz is universally acknowledged to be one of the very best small cars available on the market, and one of the most reliable cars of any class or size …. couple that together with this example’s extensive service history, long MoT, thorough valet, excellent equipment levels, and peppy, responsive 1.3-litre engine, together with outstanding fuel economy and it’s hard to think of a reason not to buy it!

If you have any questions, please mail me or call me on 07917-234897.  Any inspection or accompanied test drive is welcomed by appointment.

A note about Warranties

We go to exceptional lengths to assure the mechanical condition of any car that we sell.  Cars are generally much more reliable than was the case in the past – but they are ever increasing in complexity and should the unthinkable happen, repair costs can be high.  Many buyers prefer us to keep the price of our cars low, so we do not include a mechanical breakdown warranty as standard.  However, we are agents for the industry-leading warranty provider – Warranty Wise. If you wish to do so, you can optionally purchase a comprehensive WarrantyWise Bronze vehicle warranty for this Jazz, covering 100% of the repair cost on all major components, at labour rates of up to £75ph, at a cost of £169 for 6-months.  These warranties will only cover vehicles until they reach 18 years old (in this case, January 2025), so there’s not much point in a longer warranty period.  It will cover repair costs up to £500 for any individual claim, and up to a combined maximum of the purchase cost of the vehicle.   
Please click on “our services” above for more details.

Excellent condition three-owner car, just serviced and MoT’d, fully valeted, with low recorded mileage and great specification including 5-speed automatic gearbox, CD-player, Parrot handsfree phone kit, electric windows and rear parking sensors!  A great opportunity to acquire a low-mileage economical hatchback in terrific condition at a very favourable price!

In the details below, you’ll find full details of the specification, vehicle history, and a thoroughly detailed condition report.
Nineteen large-format photos also below!

I was delighted to take this smart Peugeot 107 into stock just recently. I bought it from a trade mechanic friend, who had himself bought it from a customer of his.  Although a low-mileage, low-ownership car that was running and driving very well, it had acquired a number of battle scars from a lifetime of city driving:- there were scuffs to each corner of the front bumper, across both rear wheel arches running into the back bumper, and a number of stone chips to the bonnet.  I appraised the car with my regular bodyshop, and we concluded that by the time we had addressed all those areas, the only panels left were the front doors and the roof – so we took the decision to complete a lower-half respray on the car (i.e from the glass downwards); effectively, everything but the roof.  This means that the car now looks bright and shiny throughout – as you can see in the pictures – with no remaining scuffs, marks, chips or trolley dents to the bodywork.

With that work completed, we turned our attention to the mechanical elements.  Although already running well, unfortunately there was no service history with the car, so we went right through it – completing an MoT, full service, changing all the filters and spark plugs, front brake discs and pads, and fitting a new battery.  We also confirmed that this car has a chain driven camshaft, so there is no cambelt replacement to worry about.  The car now runs and drives without any problems – starting first turn of the key every time.  As well as completing the service items, my mechanics also completed our usual 100-point vehicle inspection report.

There’s a typical thrum from the 3-cylinder 1.0-litre 12-valve petrol engine. Here, it develops 68bhp, which is plenty to whizz this car along very acceptably.  In this example, it’s twinned with the “2-Tronic” 5-speed automated manual gearbox.  These gearboxes are now commonplace, particularly in smaller cars.  They effectively provide an electrically driven automated clutch mechanism to the manual gearbox.  This means that there is the expected two-pedal motoring, and the expected Park/Reverse/Drive gearbox.  The Automated manual gearbox is particularly suited to smaller cars, as it is barely any physically bigger than a small manual box, only adds minimal additional weight, and can actually improve overall fuel consumption.  That’s all a win-win.  The downside is that this type of gearbox is not as smooth in operation as a more traditional fluid-drive fully automatic box, and the changes are relatively slow – in effect, the automation is having to lift off the acceleration, engage the clutch, change the gear, and re-apply the acceleration, just as you would have to in a manual car.  Changes therefore become smoother once you understand this and work with it, lifting off a little when you feel the car is ready to change gear.  It all works well, and unless you are planning on racing the car around (in which case, this probably isn’t the car for you in any case!), then it provides smooth, two-pedal motoring, with enhanced economy – which can’t be a bad thing!

Out on the road, the Peugeot behaves very well indeed.  It’s nippy and lively, and gets up to speed quickly, and maintains that speed without a problem on the open road.  There’s plenty of interior space, the seats are surprisingly comfortable, and there’s a good roster of equipment too – electric front windows, tinted glass, radio with CD-player and auxiliary media input jack, rear parking sensors, power steering, the built-in hands-free Bluetooth phone kit etc etc.  It also boasts plenty of safety features such as front and side airbags, ISOFIX rear seat mounts, ABS, Emergency Brake Assist, Cornering Stability Control, immobilizer and seat belt pre-tensioners…. It is a thoroughly modern city car. 

The 107 was originally introduced in 2005, with the production run going through to 2014, so this example dating from late 2011 is about two-thirds of the way through the lifecycle.  This is the 1.0-litre 5-door model, fitted with a 998cc 3-cylinder petrol engine, producing 68bhp and 93Nm torque, driving through the front wheels.  This gives it a reasonable 0-60mph time of 14.4 secs, and a top speed of 100mph (where legal, of course!), so it is perfectly happy either running around town or out on the open road or motorway.  It’s not going to set any roads alight, but equally you never feel like it is too slow.  It’s ultra-economical too, which is just as well in today’s climate – running on the petrol Euro Emissions 5 standard (so it is London ULEZ compliant), and returning figures of 51.4mpg urban, 68.9mpg extra urban and 61.4mpg on the combined test cycle!  Road tax is just £20 per year, and it also falls into a very low insurance group!

It’s finished in Carlinite Grey Metallic, set off by smart new wheeltrims.  This is a pretty sophisticated colour which suits the car well and makes it look more “grown up” than some of the colours available!  The tidying up of the bodywork means that there are no noticeable scratches, chips or trolley dents to worry about.  The interior is equally clean and tidy, and is fitted with good quality overmats throughout. 

The low mileage of just under 64,000 is warranted to be correct and is supported by the MoT history and low ownership.  The Experian data check confirms that the car has had three owners in total.  The first owner kept it from 2011 through to May 2015, when it changed hands with just over 20,000 miles on the clock.  The second owner (a lady in Cardiff) then kept the car for around 18-months, adding around 17000 miles more in that time. The third and last owner has owned the car since December 2016, and has taken it from 37,000 miles up to its current 64,000 miles.  It had a new MoT completed in September 2023, which noted a worn tyre; this has since been replaced. 

The 107 has also been fully valeted and Experian Data Checked (like HPI) and is clear (again, as you would expect).  The owner’s handbook and a substitute service book is present with the car, as are both keys.

The pictures illustrate how very bright and shiny and well presented the car is. 

Giving it an excellent rating of 4.0 stars out of five, Parker’s Car Guide praises its driving dynamics, its peppy but frugal engine and low running costs, and goes on to comment:-

“For anyone looking to buy a city car, the Peugeot 107 is a must-consider car. Aside from its chipper looks, it’s good fun to drive, has nimble handling and good body control, all of which make it well able to cope with town driving conditions.
For those with kids, the five-door model is more practical thanks to easier access to the surprisingly roomy rear seats – getting in and out of the back of the three-door model is a struggle. The interior may be a little basic, especially compared with the likes of the Fiat 500, but what’s inside the 107 is well made and generally sturdy.  It also has twin front and side airbags to make it safe, while a CD stereo with iPod connector is a deliberate ploy to make the 107 appeal to younger drivers who also enjoy reasonable insurance rates with this Peugeot. Interior space is impressive, especially in the back where you normally expect corners to be cut, but four six-footers can travel without complaint. The rear windows do not roll down, but simply pop open a couple of inches to let a bit of air in – even in the five-door model.
The 1.0-litre petrol engine used in the Peugeot 107 is a characterful three-cylinder engine shared with the Citroen C1 and Toyota Aygo. It has a distinctive engine note that is pleasing to the ear, while its economy and low emissions appeal to the wallet. It is a very small car, so don’t expect to carry huge loads in the back of it, but the boot is okay for a few shopping bags. If you need to carry bigger items, then buy an Urban model as the rear seats split and fold for carrying larger items.
There’s plenty of painted metal visible within the cabin, but it helps to keep the cost down and doesn’t offend. The interior design is certainly distinctive, with unusual heater controls that glow orange at night, as well as a user-friendly stereo and a pod-style speedometer.  The main instruments are attached to the steering column and visible through the wheel.  Switches and instruments are of good quality and the prominent centre console with backlit heating and ventilation controls is attractive and stylish.
The 107’s small size and short overhangs mean it is incredibly stable and agile with little body roll but plenty of grip. Around town the light steering makes tight manoeuvres such as parallel parking simple while all round visibility is excellent. This also makes it great for darting in and out of busy traffic while it isn’t overawed on the motorway and will happily keep up with traffic. On more demanding roads the 107 still shines – the steering lacks a little feel but is responsive, and there’s a go-kart feel to the handling.
Ride quality is quite impressive for a small car, with the suspension coping particularly well with rough surfaces.  To further improve Peugeot 107 comfort levels, noise is well suppressed too, although you do get the typical three-cylinder growl when working the engine hard – but it sounds quite sporty, rather than coarse.
The 2-Tronic five-speed semi-auto can be used as a standard automatic transmission in Easy mode where it does all the work for you. It also behaves like a normal auto ’box by allowing the car to edge forward when the driver takes his foot off the brake, which helps with smooth driving in town.  Switch to the manual mode and the driver dictates gear changes by moving the lever back for upshifts and forwards to change down.
Peugeot 107 running costs are low. Whether buying new or second hand, the 107 is good value for money and it’s cheap to run. The three-cylinder engine is capable of more than 60mpg, servicing is well priced and insurance is group 3 for all models. Low emissions mean road tax is cheap too. The Peugeot 107 was part of a project co-developed by Toyota, and this helped deliver improved build quality. Peugeot 107 reliability is pretty good on the whole and this is a simple car so there isn’t lots of complex technology that can go wrong”.

Out on the road, the 107 feels capable beyond its size and motoring segment.  It is comfortable and assured, accelerating with confidence, handling well and cruising smoothly too.  It might not be going to set the road alight – but it does everything that it sets out to do, and does it well.  It’s got plenty of equipment too – and this car clearly benefits from the assurance of the low mileage, fresh service, recent MoT, excellent condition and full valet.  All of those benefits also come before you consider the outstanding economy figures.

If you wish to do so, you can also optionally purchase a comprehensive WarrantyWise Bronze vehicle warranty.  This provides cover for 100% of the repair cost on all major components, up a claim limit of £1000 per claim, with a labour rate of £75 per hour.  This cover costs £179 for 6-months, £239 for a year or £439 for 24-months.  Please click on “our services” above for more details.

Equipment and Features
> Finished in Carlinite Grey Metallic paintwork, with dualtone grey and charcoal cloth interior trim
> 998cc 3-cylinder 12-valve fuel-injection petrol engine, producing 68 bhp and 93Nm torque
> 5-speed automated manual gearbox, with manual override facility
> Power Assisted Steering (PAS)
> Peugeot RDS Radio with single CD-player, auxiliary input socket, and roof-mounted aerial
> 14” steel wheels with full-face wheeltrims
> Electric front windows
> Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
> Parrot after-market integrated Bluetooth handsfree phone kit
> Remote control central locking (one remote key, one non-remote spare)
> Tinted windows
> Manually internally adjustable door mirrors
> Two rear seats, each fitted with 3-point seat belts, head restraints and with ISOFIX seat mountings
> 50/50 split folding rear seat
> Height adjustable steering wheel
> Driver’s, Front Passenger’s, and side seat airbags
> Rear fog lamp
> Intermittent wipers
> Rear wash/wipe system
> 12v charging point
> Tailored front and rear floormats

History and Documentation
> The current mileage is showing as 63,780 miles which is warranted as correct.
> The 107 comes with its V5 registration document.  It was first registered 2^nd September 2011.  That first owner kept the car through until May 2015, and the second keeper kept it until December 2016.  The third lady owner has kept the Peugeot since then, so there are three previous keepers.   
> The current MoT expires 22^nd September 2024.  It was issued 23^rd September 2023 at 63,756 miles.  This MoT had an advisory for wear to a nearside front tyre – this has since been fixed.  An MoT history check shows:-
09/09/2014      18,585 miles
14/04/2015      20,486 miles
31/03/2016      28,472 miles
20/12/2016      36,758 miles
16/11/2017      42,302 miles
05/11/2018      48,906 miles
14/11/2019      53,829 miles
09/11/2020      56,589 miles
15/11/2021      59,169 miles
15/11/2022      62,364 miles
23/09/2023      63,756 miles
> The car has been Experian Data Checked (similar to HPI), and the buyer will receive a copy of the report – which shows no problems.
> Unfortunately, the car’s original service record has been lost.  My mechanics have completed a thorough service and a mechanical check, and so a substitute service book has been provided showing that service at 63,760 miles
> The owners handbook and book pack are present.

Bodywork and Interior Condition
> As detailed above, the car has benefitted from a lower-half respray, and so now the bodywork is almost immaculate, with no stone chips or trolley dents
> The interior is also very good throughout, complete with new floormats throughout
> There are a couple of very minor cigarette marks to the driver’s seat, but nothing of real significance
> I’m not sure if these cars were originally all supplied with a rear parcel shelf, or if it was an option – but there is not one currently with the car.  You can get replacements pretty easily on eBay if you would prefer to have one
> There is some unusual wear to the hazard warning switch – but it works as it should.  A garage sales sticker has previously been removed from the back window which may have damaged same of the heating elements – the car hasn’t been parked outside in the cold for me to check this!

Mechanical Condition and Wheels/Tyres
> The car has covered just under 64,000 miles.  It goes very well indeed – and runs, steers, stops and goes round corners just as you would expect.  The three-cylinder engine has a characteristic thrummy sound, but in the Peugeot it sounds sporty and fun!
 > All the interior warning lights come on and go off as they should.
> The road wheel trims are new, and so there are no marks to them either.
> The tyres are all 155/65 x 14s.  The front are a matched pair of Hankook Kinergy tyres, with around 5mm to 6mm of tread; one rear is another Hankook Kinergy with 6-7mm of tread and the other is a new budget tyre with 7mm of tread. The spare is a full size steel spare wheel, with another budget tyre with between 4mm-5mm tread.
> The tools, jack and wheelbrace are all present

All in all – this is a great opportunity to acquire an immaculate condition small modern hatchback.  With its very low mileage, the car looks very smart throughout and drives as well as it looks!  The 107 is acknowledged to be one of the very best small cars available on the market, combining excellent build quality and driving dynamics.  When you add in this example’s new service, long MoT, thorough valet, low ownership, good equipment levels, 5-door versatility and peppy, responsive 1.0 engine, together with excellent driving dynamic, outstanding fuel economy and that all-important automatic gearbox and it’s hard to think of a reason not to buy it!

If you have any questions, please mail me or call me on 07917-234897.  Any inspection or accompanied test drive is welcomed by appointment.

Excellent condition two-owner car with full service history, just serviced, new MoT, fully valeted, with great specification including air conditioning, CD-player, electric front windows, half-leather seats, rear parking sensors and alloy wheels!  This is a great opportunity to acquire a top quality, sporty small hatchback in outstanding condition throughout.

In the details below, you’ll find full details of the specification, vehicle history, and a thoroughly detailed condition report.
Twenty-two large-format photos also below!

I was delighted to take this top-condition SEAT Ibiza into stock just recently.  I bought it recently from its second owner, Danielle, who bought the car in January 2018 with 46000 miles on the clock.  Over the last six years or so, Danielle has pretty much doubled the mileage, taking it up to its current 93000.  During that time, the car has been extremely reliable – doubtless due in part to Danielle’s scrupulous attention to routine servicing; the car has a full service history and has been serviced every year since it was new.  Now, with her work taking her on longer journeys outside her London home, Danielle has invested in a newer, larger car, so the Ibiza is now offered here for sale.

I collected the car from North London and drove it the 100+ miles home.  Since then, I’ve driven it about another 300 miles, throughout which it has continued to impress me.  Its 1.2-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine has plenty of power and “go” – reflecting its 103hp 175NM engine – it never feels underpowered! It’s twinned with a slick five-speed manual gearbox that has a particularly nice feel to it.  It handles well, and is quiet, comfortable and composed on the road.  Overall, the car is nippy and lively, getting up to speed quickly and maintaining it on the open road without a problem.  There’s plenty of interior space, the seats are comfortable, and there’s all the equipment that most drivers would want – air conditioning, electric front windows, tinted glass, radio with CD-player, auxiliary input jack and remote controls, half-leather seats, front and rear foglamps, driver’s seat height adjustment, rear parking sensors, power steering, electrically adjusted mirrors, alloy wheels etc etc.  It also boasts a whole host of safety features, such as front and side airbags, ISOFIX rear seat mountings, traction control, and seatbelt pre-tensioners.  It is a thoroughly modern small car.

SEAT in general has a terrific reputation on the used car market, being part of the VW-Audi group.  That brings with it all the expected build quality and smart material finishes that you would hope for. The cars are very well made, using high quality components – with the SEAT versions offering better value for money through their lower-cost build in Spain and adding their own unique style and verve!

This generation of Ibiza was introduced in 2008, with a production run lasting until 2017, reflecting its popularity!  This example dating from 2014 is about mid-way through the lifecycle.  This is the 1.2-litre 3-door model (known as Sport Coupe), fitted with the 1197cc 4-cylinder petrol engine that was introduced in 2010. The 103bhp and 175NM torque, driving through the front wheels, gives a very sporty 0-60mph time of 9.5 secs and a top speed of 118 mph (where legal of course!) so it is perfectly happy either running around town or out on the open road or motorway.  It’s ultra-economical too, which is just as well in today’s climate – running on the Euro Emissions 5 standard (so it is London ULEZ compliant) and returning economy figures of 43.5mpg urban, 64.2mpg extra urban and 55.4mpg on the combined test cycle!  Road tax is just £35 per year too!

Sport Coupe is simply SEAT’s terminology for the three-door version of the popular Ibiza model.  It looks the same at the front end, with sharp styling and distinctive headlights, but it changes at the rear to a more coupe-like appearance with reprofiled side windows and roof line.  It’s shorter, and lower, than the standard saloon too, enhancing those sporty looks and ensuring that the handling and roadholding are also reflective of that sporty nature!

The Emocion Red paintwork is in great condition, with just a couple of touched in stone chips, some minor trolley-dents and some very light scratches to evidence its age and mileage; there are no other scuffs or damage.  The paint to the plastic bumpers has faded slightly differently to the bodywork – not an uncommon position, especially on red cars.  All the alloy wheels have suffered minor kerbing damage to the rims, which has been neatly touched in.  The interior is in very smart condition throughout – it has had the cigarette lighter and ashtray despecified (replaced by a 12v charger point and storage box), implying that the original owner was a non-smoker, as was Danielle; so it’s likely that the car has never been smoked in.  Carpet overmats are fitted throughout.

There’s a confusing range of standard and special editions in the Ibiza! This model is the 1.2 TFSi I-Tech, which brings air conditioning, cd-player, remote radio controls, electric mirrors, front and rear fog lamps, half-leather seats and traction control.  It also came with a detachable satellite navigation unit, which sits in a cradle on the dashboard top; Danielle told me that this unit started to play up, and as – like most people now – she was using her phone for navigation anyway, she didn’t replace it; so the sat nav unit is no longer with the car.  They can be picked up secondhand on eBay (or similar sites) if you want to replace it for less than £50.

The mileage of just under 93,000 is warranted to be correct.  The car has enjoyed an exemplary service history throughout its life, with no less than eleven documented services, including an oil change and inspection by my mechanics, who commented that the car really didn’t need anything else.  These services are recorded in the service book, with the exception of one service which is documented through a garage invoice – see details below.  It had a new MoT completed in October 23 (valid through to November 24), which it passed with no advisory items.  As you would expect, it goes, performs, steers, stops etc just as you would want and expect it to do.  As well as completing their service of the car, my mechanics checked it all over thoroughly, completing an inspection report.  There is no cambelt to change on this car as the camshaft is chain driven – so there’s nothing to worry about there! 

The Ibiza has also been fully valeted and Experian Data Checked (like HPI) and is clear (again, as you would expect).  All the owner’s handbook, radio guide etc is present with the car, as are both fully-remote control keys.

The pictures illustrate how very bright and shiny and well presented the car is. 

Giving it an excellent rating of 4.5 stars out of five, Parker’s Car Guide praises its stylish good looks, neat interior, good equipment levels and that it is fun to drive, and goes on to comment:-

“SEAT has a good reputation for building cars that are sporty and fun to drive and this is evident in the Ibiza Sport Coupe. It has good body control, helped by its wide stance and low ride height plus there’s plenty of grip which makes the SEAT feel composed. It’s certainly more grown-up than its predecessor and feels more sophisticated. The direct steering has decent feel, plus the Ibiza is nimble and agile on twisting roads, making it enjoyable to drive.

Inside it’s modern and unfussy with a good driving position but while the boot is a decent size the rear seats are cramped and legroom is limited. That’s one of few gripes though and overall the Ibiza SC is stylish and well-equipped.

The Ibiza Sport Coupe is one of the largest small hatchback on the market and this shows in the boot space. With a 284-litre capacity it offers more luggage room than rivals like the Peugeot 207 and Renault Clio while split-folding rear seats are standard on all cars. However getting into the back seats is a fairly tricky operation (the same as most three-door hatchbacks). SEAT has worked hard to give the Ibiza a stylish and upmarket cabin and it’s succeeded – up to a point. The three-spoke steering wheel has a sporty look and the dials are clear and easy to read while the black piano finish on the stereo and optional climate control are a nice touch. But while the layout is neat, some of the plastics feel a little hard and it’s functional rather than inviting – build quality is excellent though and all the controls work with a neat precision. The standard suspension set-up in the Ibiza is very impressive and the small hatchback rides smoothly, dealing well with potholes and rough surfaces. There can be some vibration and road noise in the cabin over particularly uneven roads but overall it has a big car feel. The sport setting is stiffer, as you’d expect, but while it’s noticeably firmer it still retains good road manners.

In November 2010, a new 1.2-litre TSI was added to the engine line-up. The 104bhp engine offers impressive performance for its size. For a blend of economy and performance it’s the pick of the bunch.

The Ibiza Sport Coupe is a quality product and represents good value compared to many other small hatchbacks. As well as modest fuel consumption, insurance groups are low plus with major services every 20,000 miles it shouldn’t break the bank. It should depreciate slower than some of the higher volume models in its class, such as the Vauxhall Corsa, Renault Clio and Ford Fiesta. Many of the components in the Ibiza are used in other cars, such as the Skoda Fabia and Volkswagen Polo, so they are well developed and shouldn’t cause any major problems.”

Out on the road, the SEAT feels capable beyond its size and motoring segment.  It is comfortable and assured, accelerating with confidence, handling well and cruising smoothly and comfortably too.  It’s well equipped too – and this car clearly benefits from the assurance of having just two owners from new, a comprehensive service history, new MoT, outstanding condition and full valet.  All of those benefits also come before you consider that brilliant blend of performance and economy!

If you wish to do so, you can also optionally purchase a comprehensive WarrantyWise Gold vehicle warranty covering 100% of the repair cost on all major components, with a single claim limit of £3000 and a £75 per hour labour rate, at a cost of £239 for 6-months, £329 for a year or £599 for 24-months.  Please click on “our services” above for more details.

Equipment and Features
> Finished in SEAT Emocion Red paintwork, with charcoal half-leather and contrasting blue fabric interior trim
> 1197cc 4-cylinder 16-valve fuel-injection turbocharged petrol engine, producing 103 bhp and 175Nm torque
> 5-speed manual gearbox
> Power Assisted Steering (PAS)
> Air conditioning
> SEAT RDS Radio with single CD-player, auxiliary input socket, roof-mounted bee-sting aerial, and integrated anti-theft protection
> 10-spoke (5xtwin) Cartargo pattern 16” alloy wheels
> Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
> Electric front windows
> Anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Traction Control
> Remote control central locking with two remote keys
> Trip computer with current mpg, average mpg, distance to empty, distance covered, average speed, speed warning, time elapsed and external temperature readings
> Tinted windows
> Electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors
> Three rear seats, each fitted with 3-point seat belts, and with head restraints and ISOFIX seat mountings to each of the outer two seats
> 60/40 split folding rear seat
> Height and reach adjustable steering wheel
> Height adjustable driver’s seat
> Driver’s, Front Passenger’s, and side airbags
> Front and rear fog lamps
> Heated rear window
> Intermittent front wipers with adjustable delay
> Rear wash/wipe system
> 12v charging point
> Tailored front and rear floormats

History and Documentation
> The current mileage is showing as 92,973 miles which is warranted as correct.
> The Ibiza comes with its V5 registration document.  It was first registered 15^th November 2014.  The first owner kept the car until January 2018 and covered 46000 miles.  It was then bought by Danielle, who was the second owner, and who has kept it until now.
> The current MoT expires 21^st November 2024.  It was issued 25^th October 2023 at 92,526 miles.   All the previous MoT printouts are present with the car, showing the following details:-
21/11/2017      45,999 miles – No advisories
21/11/2018      56,166 miles – No advisories
18/11/2019      69,527 miles – No advisories
30/10/2020      73,129 miles – No advisories
22/11/2021      76,885 miles – One advisory for a failed position lamp – subsequently replaced
10/11/2022      82,774 miles – No advisories
25/10/2022      92,526 miles – No advisories
> The car has been Experian Data Checked (similar to HPI), and the buyer will receive a copy of the report – which shows no problems.
> The car has been serviced eleven times, ten of which are recorded in the service book and one by invoice, as follows:-
23/06/2015        9,407 miles – SEAT Main Agent – stamp in service book
22/01/2016      19,528 miles – SEAT Main Agent – stamp in service book
16/09/2016      30,226 miles – SEAT Main Agent – stamp in service book
10/07/2017      42,126 miles – SEAT Main Agent – stamp in service book
29/08/2018      56,151 miles – SEAT Main Agent – stamp in service book and invoice
17/07/2019      65,873 miles – Independent garage – stamp in service book and invoice
31/07/2020      72,086 miles – Independent garage – stamp in service book and invoice
08/09/2021      76,238 miles – Independent garage – stamp in service book and invoice
19/08/2022      80,512 miles – Independent garage – invoice
26/07/2023      89,224 miles – Independent garage – stamp in service book and invoice
01/11/2023      92,653 miles – Independent garage (my mechanics) – stamp in service book
> The owners handbook, service records, and book pack are all present.

Bodywork and Interior Condition
> As you can see from the photos, the bodywork is almost immaculate. 
> There are a few touched-in stone chips (mostly to the bonnet), and a few minor trolley dents – but other than that it is in outstanding condition
> The interior is also in excellent condition, with no damage to any of the seats or carpets
> The removeable sat nav system is no longer present with the car (see description above)

Mechanical Condition and Wheels/Tyres
> The car has covered just under 93,000 miles.  It goes very well indeed – and runs, steers, stops and goes round corners even better than you might expect!
 > All the interior warning lights come on and go off as they should.
> The road wheels are 10-spoke 16” anthracite coloured alloys; all of them have kerbing marks which have been touched in
> The road tyres are 215/45 x16s.  The front are an unmatched pair of budget tyres, with around 4mm of tread, and the rears are a matched pair of Falken Ziex tyres, with around 5mm of tread on them.  There is no spare wheel as an emergency inflation kit is provided.
> The locking wheel nut key and towing eye are all present

All in all – this is an excellent opportunity to acquire a top condition small modern hatchback.  The Ibiza is universally acknowledged to be one of the very best small cars available on the market, combining excellent build quality and driving dynamics.  This example has an outstanding service history, great performance and equipment levels, new MoT and a thorough valet.  When you then add in the outstanding fuel economy, ULEZ compliance and very low annual road fund cost, it’s hard to think of a reason not to buy it!

If you have any questions, please mail me or call me on 07917-234897.  Any inspection or accompanied test drive is welcomed by appointment.

Outstanding condition MX-5 with incredibly low mileage, just fully serviced, fully valeted with warranted mileage and great specification, including power-folding retractable metal hard top roof, satellite navigation, 17” multi-spoke alloy wheels, climate control, cruise control, leather interior, heated seats, Bluetooth and CD-player, TPMS, heated and electrically adjusted mirrors, electric windows and a premium suspension upgrade with Bilstein dampers all round!

In the details below, you’ll find full details of the specification, vehicle history, and a thoroughly detailed condition report.
Twenty-eight large-format photos also below!

Now we’re talking!  What a fabulous opportunity this is to acquire an ultra-low mileage immaculate condition example of this gorgeous and iconic third-generation Mazda MX-5 sports convertible.

The Back Story

This MX-5 Sport Tech was first registered in April 2015 when it sold to a private owner in Walton-on-Thames in Surrey.  In August 2018 – just over three years and 7,000 miles later – it changed hands to its second owner.  That second owner kept the Mazda for a further three years or so, until it was sold to Austin, its third and last keeper, in October 2021 still with just 9,600 miles on the clock.  Austin went in to the selling dealer to buy something else, but saw this MX-5 and fell in love with it!  In the next year, Austin added a further 5000 miles in it, during which time the car behaved perfectly.  Then Austin got promoted at work and given a company vehicle, so the MX-5 was relegated to weekend use… and then Austin realised that weekend use usually involved going out with friends, which was a bit restricted with just the two seats in the Mazda.  So since then, the MX-5 has again been hardly used, with just another 1300 miles or so added in the last ten months.  Austin decided to look for an equally low mileage mid-sized four-door hatchback instead, and I was delighted to sell him one and to take this sporty MX-5 in part exchange.

Mazda MX-5 Ownership in General

The MX-5 is a motoring icon.  Just by way of an example, this month’s Classic Cars magazine features the 50 most important cars to be released in the last 50 years – and the first one to be reviewed is the Mazda MX-5; it goes on to comment on how the MX-5 effectively saved the genre of the small two-seater roadster, adding: “it kept the sense of being an enthusiasts’ car in the way the (Lotus) Elan was, complete with pin-sharp handling and high-revving twin-can engine. It felt like something much more specialized than the mainstream car industry would usually produce, and yet unlike Elan ownership, you didn’t have to become an expert in bolting bits back on”

Since the first generation MX-5, it’s been through a few iterations, but has managed to retain that ability for go-cart-esque thrills and handling whilst adding more civilized comforts.  This third generation of MX-5 was introduced in 2005 and ran through to 2015 – so this example is one of the very last before the current model was launched. 

You won’t have to google far to find stories of how fabulous they are, not only to drive but also to own, thanks to Mazda’s legendary reliability.  It has a heady combination of swift acceleration, roadholding and sharp handling.  It’s got plenty of power from the 2.0 litre 4-cylinder naturally-aspirated engine, which develops 157bhp and 188NM torque and delivers this power through a 6-speed manual gearbox to the rear wheels – classic sportscar layout.   This gives it a strong 0-60 mph sprint in just 7.6 secs and on to a maximum speed of 136mph (where legal of course!) – plenty fast enough for most people!  The engine and drivetrain are smooth and progressive and the car just loves to be cornered with spirit!

The interior is spacious enough for two occupants, and comfortable too.  There’s even a reasonable amount of boot space – more than you’ll find on some of its rivals!

Specification of this example

This example is an MX-5 i Roadster 2.0 Sport Tech Nav, dating from April 2015.  This brings it plenty of power and lots of great tech-based equipment too! It looks fabulous, in the Metallic Meteor Grey paintwork, set off by the 10-spoke 17” alloy wheels, shod with high quality Bridgstone tyres all round, and by the twin chrome exhaust tailpipes.

When you want it to be sporty, then there is endless fun to be had – just drop the electric roof, drop it a gear or two, and revel in the acceleration and sharp cornering; that cornering is doubtless enhanced here by the fitment of a set of yellow-painted Bilstein dampers (shock absorbers) all round – a set of these is in the region of £750 for the parts alone!  It handles like it is on rails, and has all the ‘go’ necessary to make the most of that opportunity.  Yet it still gives 46.3mpg on the Extra-Urban cycle and 36.2mpg on the official combined cycle…. Amazing!  It’s also Euro-5 compliant, with £320 per annum road tax.

Despite all this sportiness, inside it’s also comfortable and well equipped.  There are only two seats – there are no rear ones in the MX-5 – but they are trimmed in soft black leather, heated, and the driver’s seat is height adjustable too.  There’s plenty of other equipment to keep you interested and entertained – including a colour screen satellite navigation system, cruise control, CD-player, electrically adjusted mirrors, electric windows, front and rear fog lamps and Bluetooth compatibility for phone and audio.

The “Sport Tech” designation is a bit confusing – not least because the car also has badges on the flanks indicating “Sport Venture”, which was a parallel, but different, trim level.  I suspect that where this car was effectively a “run out” model (i.e one of the last produced), it has elements of each trim level. However, the equipment roster for each of those designations is also inconsistent when researching on the internet – so just to try and be clear, this example has a single CD-player (with Bluetooth and aux capability), side airbags, and traction control.  It does not have the CD-multichanger or a DVD player.

It also boasts loads of safety and environmental equipment too – such as Dynamic Stability / Traction Control, Electronic Brake Force distribution, Brake Assist, front and rear fog lights, and driver’s, passenger’s and side airbags.

This car’s condition

This example is finished in Meteor Grey Metallic paintwork, and has clearly been extremely well looked after throughout its life.  Inevitably at this age and mileage, there are one or two very minor touched in scratches and stone chips, but there’s none of the usual trolley dents or patches of bird or tree lime anywhere to be found.  There is some very slight kerbing marks to three of the wheels, but no damage or scuffing to any of the spokes.

You’ll not go too far on the internet without reading horror stories of underbody rust on MX-5s.  I made sure I attended the MoT that I had done on this car and was with the MoT tester as we walked round underneath this car to check it out.   There was no evidence of any deterioration here – hence no advisories on the MoT form itself – and the MOT tester was very complimentary of its overall condition. 
There has never been even so much as an advisory item on a previous MoT – it has a completely clean pass record.

The recorded mileage of just 15,594 miles is warranted to be correct.  It has benefitted from regular servicing too.  Personally, I’m not a fan of electronic service documentation – it’s great for the early years of a car’s life when it is in the main dealer network, but once it comes out of that then it is easy for the records to get lost and become less accessible than the old servicing books.  This MX-5 was intended to come with an electronic record, so there is a printout from Mazda showing the first two years’ servicing, and then subsequent invoices from independent garages for services in 2020 and in 2022 (see full details below).  I’ve also had a full service completed, which included replacement of the front brake pads.  There was nothing else of concern.  These five services I’ve recorded in a generic service book for your future use.  The furthest the car has gone between services is 5000 miles!  Like most Mazdas, this MX-5 has a chain-driven camshaft, so there is no cambelt replacement to be worried about either.  Reference to the DVLA website shows no outstanding safety recalls for the car.

As the MoT was due to expire in October, I’ve also had a new MoT completed already, so this is valid through to August 2024.  There were no advisory items.

The MX-5 has also been fully valeted and Experian Data Checked (like HPI) and is clear (again, as you would expect), whilst referencing that former owner Austin ran the car on a personalized numberplate.  All the owner’s handbook, navigation guide etc is present with the car.  Like all our cars, the Mazda will also come with a 100-pt mechanical and functional inspection report.

The Motoring Press View

Giving it an excellent rating of four stars out of five, Parker’s Car Guide praises its style and fun-to-drive, coupled with excellent value for money, and comments:-

“The third-generation of the Mazda MX-5 adds layers of sophistication over the previous two. It’s roomier, more refined and easier to live with. Yet it doesn’t sacrifice the purposeful nature of Mazda’s roadster. As such it’s one of the best modern classic cars today.
By far the main appeal of the MX-5 is how fun it is to drive. Thanks to excellent steering and a nimble rear-wheel drive chassis, you can have fun in any ‘5 no matter how fast you’re going. Retaining the spirit of a modern British sportscar has been done so well, it’s easy to forget that the little Mazda is built in Japan. One of the most popular sports cars ever built, the classic formula of the original was updated in 2005 to create a very different car to the minimalist original. This means it’s easier to live with everyday, from getting in and out of it, to motorway refinement and economy – yet it’s still just as exciting and fun.
The availability of a folding hardtop version, makes it an even more sensible buy. The lightweight roof retracts in just 12 seconds, plus it comes with the otherwise optional air conditioning. More suited to British weather than the thin fabric roof, it loses none of the fun factor and is still hugely enjoyable on open roads with great body control and pin-sharp steering, though there’s slightly less space in the car because of the upright back window. For used buyers it may be better value than getting a hard top for a regular MX-5.
The efficiently-shaped boot will cope with a weekends worth of bags, while a luggage rack can be added too. A new body, chassis and structure not only add space around the occupants, a reinforced windscreen frame and integrated roll hoops add protection too. New on this model are side airbags to complement the driver and passenger airbags fitted previously.  A traction and stability control system fitted to 2.0-litre models curtails any unruly loss of control should you encounter slippery roads.
The well finished interior may not be the most stylish around but it’s neatly laid out with easy to use controls. There are no soft touch plastics and it feels functional rather than inviting, however it’s clear that quality is good. An attractive three-spoke steering wheel houses inbuilt controls for the stereo while the high-mounted gear lever adds to the sporty feel.  You’ll soon come to appreciate how low down you are when other traffic towers over you, but otherwise the view out is very good and the MX-5 is easy to manoeuvre.
Revised models from April 2009 have better cabin insulation, reducing road noise on the move. Taller drivers should have no problem fitting in the MX-5, though the short length of the car limits overall seat travel and the seat itself is only adjustable for backrest tilt and height.  The folding hard top improves refinement further and as you’d expect makes the cabin even quieter on the move. It also comes with a reprofiled wind deflector so it’s less turbulent with the roof down.  Roof down or up, the Mazda MX-5 Mk3 is considerably more comfortable for longer drives than the previous models.
The 2.0-litre sprints from 0-62mph in 7.9 seconds compared to 9.4 seconds for the 1.8-litre. The folding hard top on Roadster Coupe models adds 37kg of extra weight but this doesn’t affect performance. Mazda engineers have benchmarked the MX-5 against cars like the Porsche Boxster and this is evident on the move. It’s agile, nimble and great fun – helped further by the fact the MX-5 is rear-wheel drive.The new body is stiffer than before and this means that even with the roof down there’s no wobble or vibration. It’s composed on poor surfaces and makes a surprisingly good motorway cruiser.
As a used buy, the Mazda MX-5 Mk3 is probably one of the better cars you can go for in terms of overall low costs. Unless you’re a high-risk category for insurance, they’re not expensive to get cover for, and most service parts and spares are cheap and easy to get. Fuel economy hovers around 30mpg, as it’s not geared for motorway driving and frankly, too much fun to try making progress without using power. 1.8s have to work harder, and may be marginally less economical.
Should I buy a used MX-5 Mk3?  If you want a cheap, fun, open-topped sports car, absolutely. They drive very well indeed, and are great value for money.  Even if you’re not an enthusiastic driver, they’re light, easy to control and safe in all weathers as long as you have good tyres.  Find a good specialist to look after it, and you’ll have years of two-seater, fresh-air fun at a price that’s low enough to let you run a family car as well, or justify hiring a bigger car when needed.
Which MX-5 is best?  Look for a post-2009 2.0-litre model for the best engine, and it’s hard to argue against the practicality of the folding hard top roof. It looks just as good when folded, is more refined, prevents condensation, needs less maintenance and avoids having to find hundreds of pounds and lots of space to store a detachable hard top.”

Equipment and Features

> Finished in Metallic Meteor Grey paintwork, with Charcoal leather interior trim
> 1,999cc 4-cylinder 16-valve fuel-injection petrol engine, producing 158bhp and 188Nm torque
> 6-speed manual gearbox
> Electrically operated retractable metal folding hardtop roof
> Electric Power Assisted Steering (PAS)
> Full dashboard instrumentation including oil pressure gauge
> Climate Control
> Cruise Control
> Satellite Navigation system with Colour touch-sensitive display screen
> Mazda Integrated radio with Bluetooth compatibility, aux input, single CD player, steering-wheel mounted remote controls, integrated anti-theft protection and rear-quarter mounted detachable flexi-aerial
> 10-spoke (5 x twin) 17” alloy wheels
> Upgraded Bilstein dampers fitted front and rear
> Electric front windows, with one-touch operation on both windows
> Electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors
> Anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Dynamic Stability Traction Control, and Electronic Brake Force Distribution
> Remote control central locking, with two full remote control keys
> Tinted windows
> Height adjustment to driver’s seat
> Heated seats
> Height adjustable steering wheel
> Driver’s, Front Passenger’s and side airbags
> Fog lamps front and rear
> Trip computer with external temperature, trip distance and average fuel economy
> Heated glass rear window
> 12v charging point
> Tailored front floormats
> Twin front cupholders
> “Drilled alloy” pedal covers
> Twin chrome exhaust finishers

History and Documentation

> The current mileage is showing as 15,594 miles which is warranted as correct.
> The MX-5 comes with its V5 registration document.  It was first registered 17^th April 2015, and then sold to the second owner in August 2018 with around 7000 miles on the clock.  The second owner kept the MX-5 until October 2021, when the last owner bought it with 9,600 miles showing
> The current MoT expires 6^th August 2024.  It was issued 7^th August 2023 at 15,584 miles.  An MoT history check shows previous MoTs completed at:-
13/08/2018;     7,119 miles – Passed, no advisory items
12/08/2019;     8,600 miles – Passed, no advisory items
10/08/2020;     9,237 miles – Passed, no advisory items
22/07/2021;     9,568 miles – Passed, no advisory items
19/10/2021;     9,573 miles – Passed, no advisory items
17/10/2022;   14,271 miles – Passed, no advisory items
07/08/2023;   15,584 miles – Passed, no advisory items
> The car has been Experian Data Checked (similar to HPI), and the buyer will receive a copy of the report – which shows no problems, and advises that the car was previously held on a personalized registration.
> The recommended servicing interval is annual, or every 12,500 miles.  Originally the car is supplied on an electronic service record scheme.  I have now supplemented this with a traditional service history book.  The records show services at :-
15/04/2015;         31 miles – Pre-Delivery Inspection, Mazda Main Agent – electronic service record
05/04/2016;    2,857 miles – Mazda Main Agent – electronic service record
25/05/2017;    5,882 miles – Mazda Main Agent – electronic service record
10/08/2020;    9,237 miles – Independent Garage – Service receipt
17/10/2022;  14,271 miles – Independent Garage – Service receipt
09/08/2023;  15,590 miles – Independent garage (my mechanics) – Service receipt and stamp in new service book
> The owners handbook, satellite navigation guide, book pack etc are all present.

Bodywork and Interior Condition

> As you can see from the photos, the bodywork is in outstanding condition
> There are literally one or two minor scratches and stone chips which have been touched in.  There are no trolley dents, scuffs or scrapes.
> The interior is also in excellent condition, assisted by the floor overmats.  There is some minor creasing to the right hand driver’s seat bolster where people have got in and out of the car.

Mechanical Condition and Wheels/Tyres

> The car has covered just over 15,000 miles.  It goes very well indeed – and runs, steers, stops and goes round corners even better than you might expect.  Its handling is assisted by the upgraded Bilstein dampers fitted all round
> All the interior warning lights come on and go off as they should.
> The road wheels are multi-spoke 17” alloys; three of them have minor kerbing marks which have been touched-in (there is no spoke damage)
> The road tyres are all top quality Bridgestone Turanza 205/45 x17 tyres.  The front tyres have between 6mm-7mm of tread, the rear tyres each have an even 6mm of tread.  A boot-located inflation kit is provided in place of a spare wheel
> The locking wheel nut key is present

Summary

So – to review – this is an opportunity to acquire an outstanding condition example of this dynamic, exciting and iconic sports roadster.  The ultra-low mileage makes this a rare opportunity.  Couple all that with the great equipment levels (including that fabulous power operated roof and colour sat nav system), thorough service history and just been serviced, fully valeted, HPI-checked and MoT’d, and it all combines to make a very compelling case for this car.  You’ll be hard pushed to find another in this condition and at this mileage….

If you have any questions, please mail me or call me on 07917-234897.  Any inspection or accompanied test drive is welcomed by appointment.

A note about Warranties

We go to exceptional lengths to assure the mechanical condition of any car that we sell.  Cars are generally much more reliable than was the case in the past – but they are ever increasing in complexity and should the unthinkable happen, repair costs can be high.  Many buyers prefer us to keep the price of our cars low, so we do not include a mechanical breakdown warranty as standard.  However, we are agents for the industry-leading warranty provider – Warranty Wise; if you wish to do so for this car, you can also optionally purchase a comprehensive Warranty Wise Gold vehicle warranty covering 100% of the repair cost on all major components, with a maximum claim of £3000 per claim and a £75 per hour labour rate.  This would cost £299 for 6-months, £399 for a year or £749 for 24-months.  
Please click on “our services” above for more details.