BEFORE buying a used car there are a few basic rules you should follow. You need to ensure that you don’t end up purchasing a wreck or a car that has been in a serious accident.
Viewing the car
Once you have seen a car for sale the first thing you’ll want to do is go and see what condition it’s in and also to take it for a test drive. You need to know that the car you’re buying is worth the money. One day you might want to obtain a carcashpoint.com loan against the value of the vehicle. The best way to test a car is to take a qualified mechanic from the Automobile Association (AA); they can check the car over and test drive it for you.
Check the bodywork
The Citizens Advice (CA) website gives a list of useful things to look out for when looking at a car for the first time. Check that all the bodywork is the same colour and that none of the panels have been changed or replaced after an accident. Look around the sills, wheel arches and door bottoms for any rust or signs that repairs have been carried out.
Look under the bonnet for any signs of oil; if you can see any you should have the engine checked out by a mechanic. You should also check that the lights, indicators and all the electrics work correctly.
Car Data Check
One simple way to ensure the car you’re about to buy is not stolen or been in a serious accident is to carry out a Car Data Check. The Royal Automobile Club (RAC) or various other companies can complete this check on your behalf. The check can be carried out online and the results will tell you if the car has ever been written-off by an insurance company. The check also informs you of any outstanding finance or if the car is stolen.
Test Drive
Before you take a car for a test drive you should make sure that you are insured to drive the vehicle first. If you’re not then you’ll be liable for any damage you cause and also, driving without insurance is illegal.
Once that is organised you should listen to the engine while stationary. When you start to drive, check that the brakes work correctly by doing an emergency stop.
If you hear a grinding or squeaking noise you should get them checked straight away.
You should also check the handbrake by parking on a hill and then pull away; this will also test the clutch and gears. Listen for any strange noises, if you’re not sure find another vehicle.
Checking the MOT and mileage
Before you hand over your hard-earned cash make sure that all of the car’s paperwork is correct and up to date. Find out how long is left on the MOT and look at the service history. You should also make sure the mileage matches the age of the car. The average car travels approximately 10,000 miles a year, but some people wind the clock back, known as clocking. This is illegal and should be reported.
