Ten things to consider when buying a used car

Buying a used car is something almost every motorist will be faced with at least once.

Whether you’re looking for your first car, a great deal on an older model as opposed to buying new or a car you’ve been dreaming of owning since you were a kid, there are plenty of reasons to pick up a second-hand motor.

Although you can often find yourself a real bargain on the used market, there are dangers to be wary of when it comes to pre-owned vehicles. So, to help you out, we’ve come up with 10 things to consider when buying used:

Car condition

First and foremost, making sure the condition of a car is as advertised when buying used is vital.

If something is advertised as being in pristine condition, double-check thoroughly for problems such as rust or accident damage when viewing. Don’t take the seller’s word — it could prove costly.

Test driving

Not only is test driving a great way to check for faults with a car, you could also discover you just don’t like driving it at all.

At the same time, if you find you’re loving the drive, don’t let the fun cloud your judgement. Listen for strange sounds or any odd feedback from the car.

Documentation

Extensive documentation is usually a sign of a very well-kept car.

Ensure the vehicle comes complete with factory handbooks, any warranty details and, most importantly, a V5C document that correlates to the car and the owner — if these don’t match or no V5C is present, walk away, as the vehicle could be stolen.

Service history

Leading on from documentation, a complete service history indicates a car has been maintained well.

A vehicle with full manufacturer history points to a well-kept life, although servicing at specialist garages can be just as highly regarded.

The seller

Consider the behaviour of the seller and don’t be afraid to ask questions — a seller providing vague details and answers could be a bad sign.

Also ensure the property they’ve agreed to meet you at is theirs.

It’s known for some sellers to park outside more expensive houses to make themselves look more trustworthy — check the address against the V5C details to see if it is their address.

HPI check

An HPI check only costs a few quid but the information it can provide may be invaluable.

The check can flag up stolen vehicles, insurance write-offs, any outstanding finance and mileage discrepancies, to name just a few potential problems.

Owner reviews

If you’re feeling 50/50 about a particular car, reading some reviews from other owners can give a good insight into what it’s like to own on a daily basis.

Although magazine reviews are useful for the driving experience, they don’t always paint the ownership picture.

Other cars

Try not to get caught up on one car. If you know what model you want then great, but have a look at a few different ones before purchasing — you could miss out on a better buy.

If you’re not so sure about which model you want, don’t just go for the closest or easiest buy. Do some research and see what suits you best.

Car-specific buying guides

Although all the tips already mentioned can be applied generally to any car purchase, car-specific buying guides can give you even more in-depth information on what to look for in a car.

No two models are 100 per cent identical, and each can come with their own faults, so knowing exactly what to look for in a car could save you from a bad buy.

A second opinion

There can be a lot of emotion involved in buying a car. A sense of excitement about your new purchase may cloud your judgement, though, and may result in you glossing over faults.

Having a second opinion from someone you trust, whether that be a close friend or, perhaps more ideally, a professional mechanic, could make you think more clearly about a purchase.

The used car market is a bit like a deserted island — if you search enough, you may just find buried treasure. Although time-consuming, doing your research could pay off in the long run.