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Things to Look for when Buying a Second Hand Car



Buying a second hand car implies a little more effort than purchasing a new one, as there are certain things one should be very attentive to, to avoid discovering later that his/her money was badly spent. Taking someone with you who knows cars is always a good idea, but that someone may not be always available.

Perhaps the most important piece of advice would be to take your time and look at everything methodically; do not let yourself be rushed by the vendor. With older cars there will always be faults, and you need to know about them to make an informed decision.

First of all, check the authenticity of the car, by confronting the V5 document with the chassis number stamped on the car and the one stamped on the VIN plate. The numbers must match. You should also check the engine number, the colour and the owner's details, and should there be inconsistencies, you should require clear evidence to explain them. You should make sure the car is not stolen, because if it is, the police may confiscate it afterwards. If there are any signs of tampering around the VIN plate or chassis number, something is obviously not right.

When you look for signs of accident damage, make sure you look at the car from all angles, preferably from a distance, to be able to notice if it is bent. The panel gaps should be neat, even, and have the same appearance all over, and the paintwork shouldn't have signs of overspray or differences in the paint finishes. Take a closer look under the bonnet, at the two main chassis rails and engine bay crossmembers, as there may be dents or crinkles that indicate accident damage, as well as under the carpet in the boot and footwells. It isn't minor panel damage you should really worry about, but damage to the chassis rails or the floorpan. Check the origin of the trim and of the lights as well.

Find out how long is left on the MOT and Tax and check that the tax disc actually applies to the car. Look at the mileage, and make sure it ties in with the most recent MOT. Low mileage is irrelevant if it cannot be proven, and in this case, when you drive the car, check that the odometer has not been disconnected.

When examining the bodywork of the car, look for rust around the bottom of the doors, around the lips of the wheel-arches and behind any trim, look for dodgy bodykits, parking dings on the doors, chips on the glass, oxidised paint, faded trim, corrosion or curbing, and check the condition of the spare wheel, jack and brace in the boot (the standard equipment). In older cars, you may find many of the faults described above, but, even if they are cheap to fix, this should help you lower the price the vendor asks.

Look at the tyres and brakes in order to see how much life they have left and find out when the cam-belt was last changed. Make sure to ask when the car was last serviced. Older cars will not have FSH, but you should require some receipts to back up any maintenance claims. One of the most important servicing aspects is the frequency of oil changes, as neglect in this area can leave the engine with irreparable damage.

When checking the mechanicals, examine all parts of the drivetrain; check under the car for fluid leaks, corrosion of the copper brake lines, and the condition of the underseal; what should also interest you is the condition of the exhaust, of the front brake flexihoses, of the discs, pads and dampers, as well as the rubber hangers, the CV boots, and the inside of the wheel. Make sure that your budget allows for repairs after the purchase if necessary.

Then, take the car for a test drive to see if it is a comfortable drive and to identify possible problems. Depending on the price of the car, a margin of discomfort could be expected.

Before the test drive, check the engine - look at the air filter, examine any visible belts for scoring and wear, any gaskets for signs of leaks and the condition of the coolant; make sure that the oil has an appropriate colour and no water ingression.

Ideally you should start the car from cold, allow the engine to warm up, then test all the electrics (lights, windows). Listen for any exhaust type noises coming from anywhere other than the tailpipe. When you take the car for a drive, make sure that it pulls in a straight line and stops in a straight line (if not, the tracking or the whole chassis is adrift).
A blue smoke from the exhaust on full throttle can indicate worn valve guides. Listen for any strange noises from the engine and identify the source of any nasty smell.

Do not forget to check the action of the clutch and gearshift, as well as the handbrake. In order to check the hot start characteristics of the car, switch it off and then start it again.

Finally, if you like the car, it is strongly recommendable that you spend £30 on an HPI check before purchasing it. Also make sure you sign a contract with the seller, where you specify his/her and your responsibilities with regards to breakdowns that can happen within a reasonable time after the purchase.