5 Things To Look Out For When Buying A Used Car
Many people opt to buy a used car, and this can be for a number of reasons: a newer model’s price is out of reach, to sell on for a profit at a dealership, or even to renovate an old vehicle as a hobby. Whatever awaits the prospective automobile, it is worth giving it a thorough inspection prior to purchase, especially if you’re buying from a private dealer.
Never buy a car without taking it for a test drive first, used or not. It is important that you feel comfortable with the car and, especially with a used vehicle, that it runs properly. Also check that the number and engine plates correspond with the registration documents before your test drive.
Here a five key elements to look out for on your test driving experiences:
Body
Rust is the most dangerous thing to look out for when inspecting the exterior of a car. Make sure you check it in direct sunlight, not just sitting in a shabby, dimly lit garage. Small rust patches are not as serious and can be treated. But be cautious over larger patches that have spread. Pressing the area down is a good way of inspecting. If you hear a crunching noise, then you’re in trouble.
Interior
Make sure the mileage corresponds to the condition of the car, as it may have been altered. Check the general wear and tear of the driver’s seat, the pedals and the gear stick. Once you’ve fired up the car, make sure everything lights up correctly on the display. Test all of the windows, because electric windows in older vehicles are often troublesome.
Suspension
As well as noticing the suspension from driving the car, you should also attempt to test it from outside the vehicle. By pushing the bonnet down quite hard and letting go, the car should ideally be back in position after one bounce up and then half a bounce down. If it bounces any more than this, then the suspension or shock absorbers may need replacing, and it certainly wouldn’t be suitable for the track days UK and Europe have to offer.
Engine
First, inspect the state of it under the bonnet – if the engine or oil looks dirty, then the car is in a bad state. It’s natural to have some excess dirt, but too much shows that it has been poorly treated in the past. Once on the road, listen out for any unusual noises and smells, and make sure the exhaust is not leaking anything unusual.
Brakes
Try the emergency stop manoeuvre you practised on your driving test and see what the resistance is like. Make sure the car stops suddenly and doesn’t veer to the side, and the brake pedal should not sink easily to the floor. Test the handbrake on a steep hill, as they often wear out over years.
