Before you buy a second hand car, it is important that you check it over thoroughly beforehand, so that you can spot anything that might end up costing you a fortune in repairs in the future.
Take a look inside the car, in particular for any standing water or stains, as these may be the result of a leak, which can be expensive to fix. Check all of the controls, switches, and buttons in turn to see that they all work the way they are supposed to, and make sure that all the lights and displays are functioning as they should.
1. Have a good look at the paintwork on the exterior of the vehicle, especially on the underside panels, which are particularly prone to rust, dents, and scratches. The problem with rust is that once it has started, it can spread fairly rapidly, so it is important to head off these problems at the pass, preferably by buying a car which is completely rust free.
2. It is generally a good idea to avoid buying vehicles that have been involved in an accident, so check that the paintwork is consistent in colour and texture all over the car, especially underneath the bonnet and in the boot.
3. Now it is time to take a look under the bonnet at the engine. Check the oil and coolant levels, as this can indicate how well the car has been looked after in the recent past.The coolant should be brightly coloured and clean, and the engine itself should be free of rust.
4. When an engine is running at a reasonable temperature, there should be no visible smoke coming out of the exhaust, so turn it on and check this out before you go any further. Where there is smoke, there is usually a mechanical problem which could be expensive to fix.
5. If all of this seems ok, it is time to take the car for a test drive. Things to look out for include whether the steering is smooth and accurate, whether the car veers to one side when you loosen your grip on the wheel, and how smoothly it pulls away and brakes.
Although this set of checks will certainly suffice for a cheaper car, if you are spending a bit more money then it could be worth your while having the car checked over by a qualified, independent mechanic to make sure all is well before you splash the cash. While this may cost a couple of hundred pounds, it could end up saving you substantially more in future repair bills.
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