You have no idea of the types of problems you might be facing when you buy used cars so it can be very risky to do so. Things like whether or not a car has been in an accident or has been looked after are impossible to be completely sure about. Here are some things you should check when buying used cars.
- Any paperwork you are shown should be examined completely. You can find information such as any engine information, details of previous owners of the vehicle and the chassis number on the V5C certificate (vehicle registration certificate. Make sure that all the documentation looks authentic. You should be able to see stamps on the V5C as well as watermarks.
- Make sure that you know the seller of the used cars by checking their identity.
- Look out for oil leaks and check whether or not the oil is clean.
- You should really make sure that you have a look at the drive belts in the engine and any other hoses to check if they are worn at all.
- The coolant in the radiator will also have to be checked.
- Check the body of the car for any dents or rust.
- Make sure that you check the condition of all the tyres, even the spare tyre to see if any of them are worn. Check thread depth to make sure that it meets the legal requirement of 1.66mm.
- Lights and other dashboard instruments should all be checked to see if they are in working order. Pay extra attention to the odometer and make sure there is no evidence of attempts to interfere with this.
- Windows should be checked to make sure they work properly.
- Sometimes the exhaust pipe on a car can become rusted and get holes so check for this.
- It would also be advisable to get your own independent mechanic in to check over the car.
The risks involved when buying a used car cannot be completely eliminated but you can minimise them by doing the above.
If the time has come for you to be searching out used cars, you are always better off trying to research your vehicles beforehand. Good research lets you find only the best models available. And when you finally finish your research, you could find yourself leaving the car delears with a splendid used mini or even a used motability.
