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[holtender]

My sister has asked me to find her a Corsa, with a £2000 budget, looking at something between 2000 - 2003.

Anybody know of any likely problems I should look out for?

[Danny]

they tend to have rattly timing chains so dont be too alarmed, but listen to a good few first! (smaller engines)

check the usual oil and water levels before testdriving, check for mayo in the filler cap if its done lots of short journeys and see if it disappears after a good long drive

apart from the headgasket going on mine there arent too many problems that pop up on these, tho the oil pressure switch can sometimes fail but thats a DIY 5 minute £5 job if it needs doing, so check for oil leaks!

2000-2003 you wont be short of choice for £2000

[Matchless]

All the usual stuff plus:
Drivers seat squab...look for the frame poking through the fabric, the foam can get dislodged by "wide" drivers, easy to glue the foam back in place if the fabric is OK.
Check the rear seat backs lock in place properly.
Listen for a loose / worn cam chain.
2005 1.2 16V models may have a problem with loose cam bearing caps...may be a recall.
Check gear lever for sloppiness, a new linkage solves this but is around £30 iirc.
Drivability problems may be the usual dirty throttle body (dbw) but might also require a separate earth running to the airflow meter.(easy to do).
Glovebox stays snap if abused.

Nothing serious, good fun and reasonable handling if you allow for the fwd.

[joshwyatt]

I have seen some of the 'easytronic' Corsa's come through various auctions as non runners - gearbox fault. Approx 15 in past 9 months or so. I'm not suggesting you should avoid them, but some research into that might be prudent. But, I don't know whether a manual would be preffered anyway?

[Danny]

i've also heard bad things about the easytronics too

[holtender]

Cheers guys, very helpful info.