Some Pointers when looking at a 2nd hand accord
 

Hi all

As in the intro I'm looking at buying my first accord tomorrow. Details are:

2002 (52) vtec SE executive
74k
Full honda service history
Full MOT.

It's £1,595

Anything I should look for when test driving it....or should I just buy it? It looks bloody gorgeous!! Is that price reasonable?

Hoping to part-ex my focus.....

4 cyl? Auto?

Get a turkey baster and pull out some of the trans fluid. Put it in a cup and smell it. If it is black or brown look elsewhere if it smells burnt drop the cup and run from it.

Get a new bottle of trans fluid ATF-1 or z and get familiar with what good fluid should look / smell like.

On the drive feel how the car engages 1st. does it take a second or two? Does it jerk when going into 1st? if so stay away or use it as a U$ 2500 bargaining chip. Does it slip between shifts? Do some wide open throttle test up to A road speeds take note how it shifts.

I am focusing mainly on the transmission because it’s one of the biggest failure points on these cars. They can go for 40 or 60k miles without a fluid change then if you change the fluid they can begin to fail the next day. If the service records do not include transmission services I’d be hesitant. If you can get a 5 speed standard do its a much better transmission.

Personlly can't remember if the UK Accords had the same issue with the auto trans....but at the same time the OP never said what kind of trans was in the car.

take it to a shop and request a buyer's chk out , best money that you will ever spend

In my neck of the woods, this would be an especially under priced car.

Either seller is ignorant of value, or there's a reason for the low price.
Determining which one, that is your task.

Seems to me in the UK manual transmission is much more common than automatic. All the scary stories about the transmission (above and in other threads) relate to automatic only. Honda manual transmissions are pretty bulletproof.