Buying a used car is an entirely different proposition to buying a brand-new one. The latter will have a comprehensive warranty, won’t have been owned by anyone else, will have next to no miles on the clock and should perform flawlessly.
Buying used has huge advantages, but it’s inherently more risky. Unless you buy from a reputable used car dealership you won’t have a warranty to fall back on, and even if you do, you could still run into issues once that expires.
The thing is, a second-hand car could have been owned by someone fastidious and detail-orientated – someone who carried out regular maintenance and didn’t scrimp on repairs. Or it could have been owned by someone who was the total opposite; services might have been missed, warning lights could have been ignored and faults may have been disguised or ‘fixed’ on the cheap.
So, what can you do? Just pull the trigger on a second-hand car and hope for the best? Fortunately, there are a number of checks you can carry out before you buy, all of which are easy to do and don’t require any special tools. Here are five essential areas you should be checking before you hand over the cash.
Table of Contents
Exterior
It’s the first thing yourself and others see, so the condition of your car’s bodywork significantly affects its value and desirability. Depending on the age of the car, stone chips and marks here and there are to be expected. What you really have to watch out for are signs of poor repairs and a general lack of care.
Check that the paint finish is even all round and that each panel matches. Panel gaps should be even, too. If you spot a wonky headlight, misaligned bumper or a patch of odd-looking paint, your prospective purchase may have been involved in an accident at some point in its life.
It’s worth crouching down and looking along the side of the car as well. If you spot any dings or dents, you may be able to use them to your advantage and get the car for a lower price. Provided the paint isn’t damaged, fixing dents isn’t usually particularly pricey – paintless dent removal firms can work miracles!
Keep an eye out for rust, too. It can be expensive to get sorted and, if left to fully take hold, make the car uneconomical to repair.
The Interior
When you open the car’s door for the first time, ask yourself: is the condition of the interior consistent with the mileage displayed on the odometer? If it’s alleged to have done 40,000 miles but the driver’s seat looks like it’s been chewed by a dog, you’d be right to doubt that figure. Gear knobs and steering wheels are also good indicators of wear – if they look really shiny, scratched or tired out, the car has probably covered upwards of 100,000 miles.
Once you’re sat inside, make sure you test out every last button and knob to make sure they’re working as they should. The more modern the car, the more gadgets you’ll have to test, so don’t forget any! If the car has a Bluetooth infotainment system, make sure it pairs with your phone correctly too.
The Engine Bay
Pop open the bonnet and have a good look around for signs of accident damage. If you spy any twisted or rusty panels, questionable-looking welding or mismatched paint, the car has most likely been involved in a front-end shunt. Take a look at the grille, bumper and headlight mounting points, too; if these are damaged or some have sheared off, you can be confident it’s been hit. Replacement parts bought from salvage yards will often have a number written on them in pen, so keep your eyes peeled for these.
Next, take a look at the engine itself. Begin by checking the oil level and unscrewing the oil cap. If you see black sludge, it’s likely not had an oil change for a while, and if you see a mayonnaise-like substance, the head gasket will need replacing.
You should check the condition and level of the remaining fluids too, including coolant, power steering fluid and brake and clutch fluid. And while you’re there, keep an eye out for signs of oil leaks on the engine block. If you notice brown or black patches that are still damp, it’s almost certainly leaking.
Checking Tyres & The Underside
You’ll hear it said time and again, but as the only point of contact cars have with the road, tyres are one of their most vital components. Have a look at the rubber on all four corners. What condition is it in? Do the tyres have plenty of tread, and are the sidewalls free of cracks and bulges? It’s also worth paying attention to the brand of tyres fitted. If all four are matching, it suggests that the current owner has been fastidious with maintenance. A very encouraging sign.
If you can, stick your head underneath the car. Have a look beneath the front bumper for signs of oil leaks and accident damage, beneath each side for evidence of rust and at the rear to check the condition of the exhaust. Don’t be afraid to feel along the sill for bumps or roughness – telltale signs that corrosion has begun to take hold.
Taking A Test Drive
If you’re happy with the car up to this point, remember not to get carried away: you have to be just as vigilant on the test drive as you were during the inspection. Begin by checking the clutch (if it’s a manual). If you can hear any odd sounds when you lift the pedal or push it in, budget for a replacement soon. Likewise, if the clutch bites really high, it’s close to being worn out.
Make sure the gears shift smoothly, whether you’re driving a manual or an automatic. If there’s any resistance or hesitation when shifting between gears, something’s most definitely up. If the car’s an auto, make sure the kickdown feature works as intended.
Give the engine a bit of a workout, and make sure it sounds just as sweet throughout the rev range as it did at idle. If you detect any hesitation or interruption in the power delivery, it probably has a misfire – usually not too expensive a fix, but an irritating issue nonetheless.
All the while, pay close attention to the steering. Does it feel precise and does the car go where you’re telling it to? If it’s fighting you, the steering feels vague or the car’s pulling to one side, it’ll need looking at.
It’s a similar story with the brakes. If they’re trying to yank the car to one side or are juddering the steering wheel when you press the middle pedal, they require work. Braking issues typically aren’t too pricey to rectify, but they’ll need sorting as soon as possible.
In conclusion
There you have it, a round-up of five key areas you absolutely must check when you’re buying a used car. Don’t let the seller rush you (if they do, they probably have something to hide) and remember that every problem you spot might allow you to negotiate a reduction in the price. Play your cards right, and you may just be able to grab yourself a bargain!