Checklist for buying a used vehicle

While the quality of cars has undoubtedly improved in recent years, there is still a need to have a checklist for buying a used vehicle to avoid being caught out.

Here, we look at what you need to know to avoid being left with a car that has serious issues or, even worse, the car has been stolen or cloned.

The best place for buying a used car

The first tip to buying a used car is to decide where you want to buy from. 

Used car dealerships

Car dealerships are probably the best option for those who are nervous about buying a car.

The dealership will have tested the vehicle and usually offer a warranty of between six and 12 months. 

This means that cars from dealerships tend to be more expensive, but you will be reassured that the vehicle has been checked thoroughly.

Private seller

One way to save on car dealership costs when buying a used car is to source one from a private seller.

While these will be cheaper, you may end up spending more on repairs over the short-term and there will need to be some checks carried out before parting with any money.

We explain more about these checks later in this article.

How much should you spend?

Knowing how much you can afford is the next step.

Don’t forget that you will need to pay the road tax as well as insurance plus any potential repairs before driving it.

The car checks you MUST undertake

Test drive

This does sound like an obvious tip, but you must take the car for a test drive to ensure it works.

Be wary of a car engine that is already warm because it may struggle to start on a cold day or be blowing smoke when starting.

The bodywork

Check for rust on the wheel arches and behind the bonnet, and on the wings and sills. Check for rusty brake pipes because these will have to be replaced.

Damage

Check whether the bodywork has any bubbles, or if there are signs of a filler or repainting. Check the doors are the same size and close properly.

Oil leaks

Check under the engine to see if there are any oil leaks. Lift the bonnet to see whether the engine bay has been power-washed to remove signs of oil or fluid leaks. 

Also, check the engine bay after taking the car for a test drive.

Exhaust smoke

Have someone start the engine and rev it to see whether smoke comes from the exhaust pipes.

Gear changing

The gear change should be smooth, particularly at high revs. If you have trouble switching gears the clutch could be worn.

Tyres

Check the tyres for uneven wear, cuts or cracks and the tread depth should be at least 1.6 mm. There’s a small block in one of the treads for an easy check.

Suspension

Push down on the corner of the car and then let go. It should bounce back to the original position. If not, the suspension is broken.

Steering

Loose steering can indicate that there is a faulty power steering system.

Brakes

Test the brakes at speed while on the test drive and they should work properly. If not, there’s a serious problem.

Important checks when buying a used car

We mentioned previously that there are some important but easy checks to make when buying a used car. These include:

• The vehicle’s MOT status – you can do this on the Government website.
• Get a car valuation from an online source such as Auto Trader. These are usually free.
• Check the vehicle’s full history – there are great tools to do this for a small fee such as Instant Reg Check.

A vehicle history check will reveal everything from a registration plate change, whether it has been an insurance write-off, or if it has failed its MOT.

You also get to see what the actual mileage is, and if the advertised mileage is different, then steer clear.

It’s also important to check the paperwork and a used car needs:

• The V5C registration certificate
• The MOT certificate
• The handbook
• Any service history paperwork.

It’s also important that the seller’s name and address is on the logbook as being the last registered keeper – if it isn’t, and you are meeting somewhere that isn’t their home, then this might not be their car to sell.