Mountain Biking - Your opinion about used MTB bike

I'm 20 years from Egypt, I need the bike to wander thru Cairo maybe more later because I love extreme stuff but for now I need something to give me more experience. So, a friend recommended a used Orbea Dakar 2012 for 360$ (it is 500$ new here in Egypt). What do you think? BTW I have read the sticky thread and i got a lot of info but I was thinking to take your opinion about this bike.

It looks like a basic entry level MTB. At that price it would need to be in excellent condition with no evidence of abuse or over reaching its abilities. Look for any scratching of the finish, dings or bends in the frame and derailuer hanger. Check the forks are still straight and not weeping oil from the seals. Check the frame and forks all over for cracks, especially near welds. Check the wheels are still true and the spokes all evenly tensioned, the wheel/hubs should rotate freely with no slop or grabbing in the hub. Check the headstem is still good with no slop or slackness. All the gears and brakes should operate well without missed changes or skipping, brakes should stop you quickly and the rim walls should not be ground out. Lastly have look at the cosmetic condition, are there big scratches in the frame or derailleur? what about the ends of the bars or the controls? and have a look at the pedals and cranks are they all beaten up and bent? Cosmetics can indicate a hard life, things not working can indicate a lack of basic maintenance and the motivation or ability to have it done, at that price the bike would want to be pretty shmick. That said what would I know about second hand bike prices in Cairo?

Perhaps somebody here has direct experience of that make and model?

Welcome to Bike Forums!! Cyclops gave sone good advice. I would add get one the is the right size for your body size. The size yo fit me is hard to find used. Good luck & keep us posted.

Thanks alot .. I will check it and tell you if I found any think of these problems

That seems like a good bike, but depending on what you have available in Egypt, I would go with something like a diamondback. Just make sure it's assembled right, and you can get them new for around $500. Again, I really do not know what you have in Egypt, but the Dakar seems like a decent bike.