Used Car buying tips
1. Always set a budget and stick to it!
2. Make a list of questions to ask before going to buy the
car – then record the answers and ask the seller to sign and date the document.
3. Has the car got a v5 registration document to validate
ownership and accuracy of the vehicle’s age and mileage?
4. Check that the engine & chassis numbers match the
registration documentation, check for signs of tampering.
5. make sure you are insured to test drive the car. Whilst
doing a test drive listen for any unusual noises, any excessive noises could mean
£££'s in repair bills!!!
6. AN MOT is not evidence of a car's condition, all it
proves is that on the day the MOT was performed the car was found to be in a
road worthy condition.
7. Check around the exterior of the cars looking at 90
degree angles to the car do all the panels look original, check the gaps
between the bonnet, wings, doors are they all consistent anything that looks
out of place could indicate the car being involved in an accident and will
require further investigation.
8. Check all the electrics on the car i.e. wipers lights
indicators heater ECT, do they all work?
9. Check for major oil leaks under the bonnet, it’s also
good to check the road or drive for any signs of oil leakage
10. Check the bodywork and floor of car for rust and bubbles
these might not be too bad now but think about how long you expect to keep it,
remember any jagged edges will fail an MOT and could prove costly to repair
properly.
11. Check the interior of the car for signs of wear and
tear, does it seems to match the mileage?
12. Buy a vehicle status check to see whether it’s been
stolen, has been written off or has outstanding finance and get an independent
vehicle examination to check it’s mechanically sound!
13. Never look at a car in the dark or you could end up with
mismatched paintwork or worse.
14. If you don’t know a lot about cars, take someone
knowledgeable with you who can advise you or get an AA or RAC inspection done.
15. If you are serious about buying, find out if the car has
a current MOT certificate. If the car is more than three years old, it must
have one, to prove it complied with the criteria of the MOT at the last test
date.
16. Remember that the MOT is not a guarantee that any
subsequent faults will be put right by the dealer.
17. Check the oil cap for signs of white oil, this can
indicate engine problems i.e. head gasket failure and this will be expensive to
repair.
19. Mileage can be checked, for a small fee.
20. Check the exhaust system, by briefly holding a rag over
the exhaust for a second or 2 will enable you to hear if there are any leaks in
the exhaust system.
21. Check the bodywork and fittings.
22. Ensure that all tyres including the spare have the
correct tread (1.6mm or more) and pressure, check for uneven wear on tyres;
this can show that the tracking is out; does the car tend to pull one way or
another? This can be adjusted for a small charge but maybe it’s because it’s
been in an accident
23. Check all locks are in working order.
24. Make sure rubber seals are intact, as leaks can be
expensive to rectify.
25. Windscreen wipers, and doors sills should also be
checked.
26. Seatbelts should be free from damage; any signs of wear
will result in the car failing its next MOT + don’t forget these could save
your life!
27. Milometer does this look like it has been tampered with
look for little scratches on the numbers, also remember digital milometer can
be adjusted for about £30, and check previous MOT's ECT
28. Check the condition and amount of oil. An oil leak could
be a sign of age.
29. Check fuel lines are intact. If they are split or not
fitted correctly highly flammable fuel could spill onto the hot engine.
30. Check the coolant level. An engine that is not being
efficiently cooled could be seriously damaged on a long journey, especially in
hot weather.
31. Check the colour of the water in the radiator.
32. The radiator itself should be free of leaks and the
hoses free from damage.
33. Listen for unusual sounds, such as clunks and rattles. A
screeching noise is often a sign of a slipping fan belt, but it should be easy
and inexpensive to fix. Check any visible belts for small cracks, any found
would mean these will need replacing.
Buying the Car
1. When you buy from a reputable dealer, the car’s financial
history should have been checked to show there are no outstanding hire purchase
agreements on it and there is neither an insurance total loss, nor has it been
stolen.
2. Prospective buyers should make sure that this is the
case: ‘Ask the dealer for written proof that the check has been made.’
3. Private buyers can also check the history of a used car
for free by acquiring the appropriate form from the Citizens Advice Bureau.
4. Buyers should always be careful when parting with their
money. Before entering into any finance agreement, accepting any warranty or
indeed accepting a used car, make sure you read and understand all the
documentation before signing them or handing over any cash.
5. If the dealer has arranged the finance agreement whereby
you purchase the used vehicle and he refuses to deal with a subsequent
complaint, your claim will be against the finance company, which in turn will
claim from the dealer. Remember not to stop your repayments.
6. It is important to remember used cars need to have been
looked after. When buying a used car, it is best to buy from a reputable
garage. Main dealers and independents that belong to the Retail Motor Industry
Federation (RMI) are bound by the conditions of their membership to provide a
good service to their customers.