Do you feel overwhelmed by the idea of buying a used car? Do you worry that you may end up with a heap of trouble? If so, you’re not alone. Many people feel they don’t know what to look for when buying a used car, while others believe that used cars are problematic. According to research in 2015 by online retailer Carspring, 2/3rds of UK second-hand car buyers are disappointed with their purchase.1 This statistic doesn’t show the used-car market in a good light, but it certainly doesn’t need to be the case. With the tremendous depreciation on brand new vehicles, going down the pre-owned car route can be a good move financially. There are multiple reasons for people to trade in a car, and often it has nothing to do with problems with the car itself. To take the angst out of buying a used car, we thought it might be helpful to give some simple tips on what to look for in the process of selecting a used car, plus three additional helpful hints from Andrew Wightman, Travall’s Digital Marketing Executive and used-car aficionado. Read on for the complete orange guide to avoiding a lemon.
When you start thinking about getting a different car, it is wise to initially ask yourself a few important questions:
What type of fuel do you want to use? The answer to this may depend on the type of driving that you will be doing – petrol is perfect for mostly short trips, while diesel engines perform better on longer journeys. Hybrids have a higher price tag, but they offer great fuel mileage figures, low road tax and the technology is well established so reliability issues are nothing to worry about.
Are you able to purchase a higher specification car? Although more expensive, the higher specification cars are more desirable. If you can afford to go with a higher specification you may reap greater rewards when it comes time for you to sell your car on, as higher specs make a more attractive proposition.
What do you want to use it for? If you will be transporting children then a five-door car is what you want, preferably with a good sized boot for carrying pushchairs, etc. If you regularly transport older people, is the car easy for them to get in and out?
Have you done your homework? Read reviews and road tests. Find out if the car you are looking at has any common issues. If so, has the vehicle you are interested in buying had them fixed? Manufacturers frequently do recalls on cars to update parts that could cause an issue. For peace of mind, you can check with a local dealer to see if your prospective purchase has any recalls pending.
Before getting in a used car
Check the following:
Vehicle history – How many owners has the vehicle had in its lifetime and has it been a fleet car or a rental car?
Mileage – Is the mileage reasonable for the age of the vehicle? Does it match with the service records and with the general state of the car?
Paint condition – Is the paintwork an even colour with no signs of bubbling paint (which could be a sign of rust)?
Suspension – When you press down on the rear of the car, does it return to position smoothly without loud noises?
Door locks – Do these all work properly?
Mirrors – Are these in good condition and able to be repositioned?
Cambelt – If the car is over 5 years old or has over 40,000 miles on the clock, has the cambelt been replaced when being serviced?
Andrew’s first hint – Always buy on condition and service history.
If the car shows a lot of scrapes and knocks it indicates a lack of care by the previous owner, as does a scantily stamped service book. While a stamped-up service book is good, a stack of invoices and wads of paperwork is better. With the condition and service history boxes ticked, mileage is irrelevant. In fact, high mileage cars offer great value as long as they are in good shape and have comprehensive service paperwork.
When test driving a used car
Check the following:
Steering wheel – Do you feel juddering or is it pulling to one side?
Clutch – Does the clutch operate smoothly and engage at the right height?
Engine – Does the engine make any strange noises?
Exhaust – Are there excessive emissions coming from the exhaust?
Windscreen wipers – Do the windscreen wipers work correctly (both front and rear)?
Heating/cooling system – Does the heating and cooling function operate correctly?
Controls – Are all the controls in good condition and functioning as they should?
Lights – Do all the lights come on and are the fittings undamaged?
Seatbelts – Do these all operate smoothly and buckle securely?
Windows – Do these all open and close perfectly?
Andrew’s second hint – Drive it!
Even with a higher mileage car, it should feel tight. This indicates that the suspension components are in good shape. Check whether the car brakes in a straight line; try this on a straight road (with nothing behind you). If the car pulls excessively the braking system needs work. If the pedal feels spongy, or any warning lights are displayed, then walk away. Does the handbrake hold the car on a slope? If it doesn’t, then this will need attention.
Paperwork
Check the following:
Service history – Has the car been serviced regularly? (also refer to Andrew’s first hint above)
MOT history – Has it failed any of its MOTs? If so, what did it fail on?
V5C document – Is the V5C document available to see? Does the VIN number on the car match up with the V5C?
Andrew’s third hint – Check with the DVLA.
It is also worth checking the car’s MOT history with the DVLA, https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history This will show any failures or advisories that the car has had in the past. Recent advisories may require attention soon.
Check every aspect of the car inside and outside so that you don’t end up with a dreaded lemon. Some people can feel that they are pressurised by the car dealer or garage to purchase the car that they have test driven, but don’t succumb to that pressure. If buying from a dealer you have 30 days to return it if you experience issues. Unfortunately, if buying from a private seller you don’t have quite the same legal rights, so you need to make sure that the car is exactly what you are looking for from the outset. Whether you are buying from a dealer or a private seller, if you have any misgivings at all or feel that the car may not be right for you, you are under no obligation to purchase and you should walk away from the sale.
Reference
- http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-3334971/Used-cars-buyers-travel-48-miles-spend-27-hours-research-regret-purchases.html
