What to look out for when buying a used car

Buying a used car is a great way to save money compared to buying new. Used cars are generally cheaper, depreciate less and can still be excellent vehicles. However, if you are trying to save money, you need to know what to look out for when buying a used car. There are a number of signs a car might be a problem and being able to recognise these can help you avoid expensive issues.

Documents

One of the first things to look out for when buying a used car is documentation. The seller should have the V5C registration document as well as a current MOT (if one is needed). The V5C document is necessary to tax your car but it also has lots of information you need to check. Look at the identification numbers on the V5C and make sure they match the numbers on the car. This includes the number plate and the various vin number locations. If the numbers on the document don’t match the numbers on the car or the numbers on the car have been removed, there may be a serious problem. 

You should also inspect the V5C document itself. Make sure it has a watermark and does not have any errors. 

Milage

One of the main things people are told when asking what to look out for when buying a used car is mileage. Obviously, you want to buy a car that has the lowest mileage possible, but you should also look out for signs that the mileage number has been tampered with. Look at the mileage and make sure what the odometer says reflects the condition of the car. For example, if you are buying a 10-year-old car and the seats are pretty worn, it should raise some red flags if the odometer only says the car has done 10,000 miles. 

You can also check the recorded mileage on the service history records. This will help you tell if the mileage has been tampered with. 

Accidents

One major thing to look out for when buying a used car is accident damage. While a good seller should let you know if the car has been in an accident, some people will try to hide this to make more money. 

Some signs a car has undergone major repairs include inconsistent gaps between panels, different or poorly matched paint colours on the car and poor or odd-looking welding in the engine compartment. 

You can also sometimes tell if someone has changed the colour of the car by looking under the carpets or in other areas that are hidden. 

If you encounter any of these issues, it could be a sign your car has been in an accident and it might be a good idea to have your mechanic look over the vehicle before you agree to anything. 

Safety Equipment

When making your list of what to look out for when buying a used car, safety equipment should always be a priority. Make sure the seatbelts work and do not have cuts or tears. Check the tires are in good condition and are not worn. Make sure the car includes its jack, spare tire or sealing kit and locking wheel nut adapter for the wrench. Make sure the lights and windscreen wipers work and also look in the handbook to see how you can check the airbags are functioning correctly. 

All of these things should be in working order if you plan to use this car on the road and any issues you find could affect the price. 

Driving

You should always test drive a car (if it is being sold as a working car) before you buy it. A test drive will help you spot potential problems. Listen for odd noises, test that the breaks work well, test the handbrake, watch for steering wheel vibration make sure the clutch operates normally and look for warning lights. If you have any issues as you go through these tests, you should consult your mechanic before you decide to buy. 

Other controls

The final things to look out for when buying a used car are the general controls. This includes locks, windows, mirrors etc. Check that all these features are working well. Also, make sure you have the keys and remote controls and that these work as well. You should also look a the locks. If they look like they have been replaced, this could be a sign of a problem. 

While this is not an exhaustive list of checks, it is a good guide for what to look out for when buying a used car. Following the above tips, should help to identify some of the more common problems encountered by car buyers and get you a more reliable vehicle.