Make a note of all the issues you come across as you’re looking at the car, and once you’ve test driven it. You’ll have done your research before viewing the car, so ensure you have a good understanding of what you think it’s worth in comparison to other similar vehicles. There are often multiple cars on the market at varying prices, so how do you ensure you’re getting the best deal on the car you’ve chosen? Come prepared Asking this question ensures that you’re fully informed before making your purchasing decision. Are there any issues that weren’t mentioned in the description?Īn honest seller should always include any issues in the description, but often adverts don’t provide enough space to do so. However, their taste may not match yours, so you’ll need to check you’re happy with any modifications that have been made, or you’ll end up with the additional cost of reversing the changes. Some people like to add their own personal touches to their vehicles, which is fine whilst it’s under their ownership. Of course, if it’s a dishonest seller they may not tell you the truth, so be sure to do the bodywork tests mentioned earlier in this article for peace of mind. Sellers often try and hide previous accident damage, so it’s good to catch them off-guard with this question. You can also ask to examine the area where the vehicle has been kept for any signs of residue that may have leaked from the car. It’s not the end of the world if this isn’t the case, but if it’s been kept on a busy road there may be more chance of paintwork damage than if it’s been kept on a driveway. In an ideal world, the car will have been kept in a garage whilst not in use to protect it from the elements. These services also identify reports of damage and protect you against buying a stolen car. There are plenty of online services that allow you to check the history of the vehicle using the VIN. You should look out for proof of service history (service intervals can be researched online or found in the car’s handbook) and invoices for any work carried out.Ĭheck the VIN specified in the documentation matches the number stamped on the car’s chassis. Looking through a used car’s paperwork can give you vital clues as to how well the previous owners maintained the vehicle. If the car has had a large number of previous owners, it could again suggest that it has caused issues for people in the past. Is it just that they’ve owned the car for a long time and are looking for something new, or are they looking to offload a problematic vehicle? How many previous owners has it had? This is a great question to test the seller’s response. Here are some basic questions that will help you in your purchasing decision. It’s important to ask the right questions of the seller when buying a used car. Your overall satisfactionĪre you happy with the way the car drives in general? Does it provide the performance you expected, and is it comfortable enough for you? Did anything irritate you, or would you be happy doing long journeys? You can also park up safely and pop the hood open to listen out for anything amiss. Note any unusual sounds coming from the engine, and investigate further if necessary. Is the engine running smoothly, or is it sounding rough? Be sure to turn the radio off and close the windows when driving so that you can focus on the engine noise. The car should remain in place if the handbrake is in good condition. Park on a slope and engage the handbrake whilst in neutral. Note whether there are any vibrations, grinding noises, and whether the car pulls to one side.Īre the brakes responsive, or does the pedal sink to the floor? If it’s the latter, there could be a leak in the braking system. When it’s safe to do so, test the brakes by pushing hard on the brake pedal. If it’s safe to do so (perhaps in a quiet car park), take your hands away from the wheel as you’re moving to see whether the car pulls to one side. Note whether there are any vibrations through the wheel as you’re driving, and whether the steering wheel sits off center when driving straight. You will need to ensure the car is tracking correctly. Also listen out for any unusual noises whilst steering. If the car you’re testing has power steering, it should be easy to operate and not feel too heavy. If you’re testing an automatic car, ensure all the changes are smooth and there’s no delay in gear engagement. If you’re testing a manual car, the gear stick should center itself in neutral. The gears should all select cleanly with no crunching or grinding noises. It should also pull away cleanly every time, not judder. Pay attention to any unusual noises, smells or slippage. This is one of the most essential parts, and is likely to be very costly if it needs replacing. Once you get out on the road, check the clutch for signs of wear.
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