Car checks before buying a used car
Buying a used car could save you a lot of money over the equivalent brand new model. This article provides a general overview of what to look out for before making the final purchase.
Tyres
It would be a good idea getting down on your knees and inspecting them properly to see how much tread they have got and the general condition of the rubber and walls of the tyres. If they need replacing you would need to factor in the cost of changing them soon.
Dents and scratches
Check the overall bodywork. Check the wheels to see if there are signs of kerbing on the wheels. It’s important to inspect a car in clear dayligh as rain or darkness can hide things. Don’t be too put off by small dents or scratches, these can be fixed fairly cheaply, but do use them to negotiate a better deal.
Panel gaps
Check the gaps between panels – large panel gaps could be a sign that the car has been badly repaired after an accident, and make sure there aren’t any colour differences between panels.
Fluid levels
Open the bonnet and check all the levels – including oil, brake and power steering fluid. If they’re low, it could be a sign that the car hasn’t been well maintained. Look out for signs of oil leaks under the bonnet aswell. It’s also worth looking underneath where the car is normally kept too.
Under the oil cap
It’s worth looking under the oil cap for signs of a white mayonnaise-like substance. This could be caused by condensation, but is usually created by coolant mixing with oil – a sign that the head gasket could have failed. Check too that the coolant expansion tank looks clean.
Electrics
Inspect everything to make sure the electrics work. Wind the windows up and down, turn the radio on and off, test the air conditioning unit and so forth. Faults could be a simple repair, but it’s a negotiating point if something doesn’t work as it should.
Glass
Inspect the windscreen to see if there any chips in it. They could turn into cracks meaning you’ll have to replace the windscreen. If they’re in the driver’s eyeline, they could not pass roadworthy too. Also look at the front and rear lights, keeping an eye out for chips, cracks and any fogging or internal moisture.
Upholstery
Check the car’s interior to see if there are any stains or tears in the seats. Does the interior smell ok? Bad smells can be very off-putting and hard to get rid of, especially if a car has been smoked in.
Spare wheel and accessories
Check that the car comes with a spare wheel. If so, is it in good condition? Is there a jack for lifting the car if you get a puncture, and an adapter for any locking wheel nuts fitted to the vehicle?
Wear and tear
All secondhand cars will display a certain amount of wear and tear, but is it consistent with the age and mileage? A car showing low miles on the clock but showing heavy wear on the driver’s seat, steering wheel and pedals should raise concerns.