Could you give your opinion on these 2 Honda Civics?

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fantasyvn2008

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Could you give your opinion on these 2 Civics? I like both of them and find it difficult to decide.

1. Civic 2001, 5 door hatchback 1.6, asking price: £4000.

Mileage: 76000
MOT history: passed every test, no advisory note issued.

One problem for me is when I used WhatCar magazine "Free evaluation", it said the dealer price should only about £3000 - wide of the mark when compared to the asking price.

2. Civic 2004, 5 door hatchback executive, 1.6, asking price £4800.

Mileage: 46000
MOT history: there are two listed problems in the tests over the years:

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (3.7.A.9/10)

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (3.4.1d)

What do you think? For me, the 2004 asking price seems fair (again, according to WhatCar magazine). But the 2001 Civic seems to be cared for better, as indicated by the MOT; however, its asking price is high.
 
The 2004 is the best bet if the two faults have been sorted.
Check that the ABS warning light bulb illuminates and has not been removed to disguise a fault. This is an MOT fail.
The parking brake might just need adjusting properly if the fault still exists.
Do not pay the screen price as they will expect to haggle - money is tight and you need them less than they need you.
Insist on full MOT and service with the car. will it be due a new cam belt soon - they can be pricey with lots of labour.
 
on the face of it, the 2004 looks like a better choice. But with cars of this age you need to ask what the next bill will be.

are all the tyres in good condition and do they match in make? The "executive" model may have wider tyres which will cost more. A big expense on some cars is the cambelt replacement service, on mine it is every 5 years or 80,000 miles. Check if it needs to be done.

if the "executive" has xenon headlamps, don't buy it. my brother-in-law had a bill for 400 pounds when one failed
 
i would opt for car 2,
30,000 less mileage & 3 years newer,
minor faults on old MOT, handbrake adjustment & faulty ABS sensor are nothing to be concerned about & price as you say is more realistic
 
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