2- Give it a close inspection
When buying a used car, you need to understand that the same quality as buying brand new simply won’t be there, however it is important to closely inspect the vehicle you are considering buying to check for issues in the following areas;
Bodywork – Rust can be a common problem with older vehicles, with excessive amounts being a real cause for concern. The main areas to check for rust are the wheel arches and underneath the vehicle, with large amounts generally suggesting there is a more serious problem.
Tyres – The condition of the tyres on the vehicle is incredibly important as your safety could be jeopardised through poor quality tyres. Check the tread depth as well as the rest of the tyre for any cracks or bulges; new tyres can be expensive so it is best to buy a vehicle with good quality tyres already in place.
Leaks – A leak is another common sign of problems and potentially expensive repairs further down the line, so check underneath the vehicle for any leaking oil, water or brake fluid as well as the surface the car is parked on for any stains.
Engine – The condition of the engine is essential, so open the bonnet to gain an initial overview of how well the engine has been kept. You will immediately be able to tell whether it has been well maintained or neglected due to its appearance, before then checking other areas such as the oil and coolant levels and turning on the ignition to make sure there aren’t any rattles.
3- Take it out for a test drive
Alongside enabling you to get a real feel for the car and how comfortable you are driving it, taking the vehicle for a test drive allows you to assess the following areas;
Noise – If the car is noisy when you are driving it, this could suggest there is a problem with the engine or the exhaust, which could be expensive to repair later on.
Gears – Gear changing should be easy and smooth, with very little effort required. If this is not the case, a problem with the vehicle’s gearbox could be being highlighted.
Brakes – Testing the brakes is essential, so be sure to try a couple of emergency stops during the test drive to assess how responsive they are. Additionally, listen out for any grinding noises as this could be a sign that the brake pads are wearing thin and will soon need to be replaced.
Electrics – If the car has electric windows or electric mirrors, make sure you test these to ascertain whether or not they are in full working order. Don’t forget to turn on the radio too in order to make sure this is working correctly.
Dashboard – When driving, check the dashboard to discover whether there are any warning lights flashing. If there are, check the manual to see what these mean and if they can be easily remedied or are highlighting a more serious issue.
There are of course a number of additional considerations you need to make when buying a first car, from the cost of an insurance policy through to the safety features and the validity of the vehicle you are looking at, however by taking the three areas detailed above on board, you should be well on the way to buying a reliable and safe first car after passing your practical driving test.
This post was written by blogger Oliver Kyle who, after passing his practical driving test following an intensive driving course from Learn Drive, went on to find the ideal first car that allowed him to make use of the increased independence that driving has to offer.
