Despite rising numbers of new cars being bought, there were over 8 million used cars sold in the UK last year.
Buying a second hand car, whether you’re buying privately or from a dealership, does have many advantages over buying a brand new car. The biggest advantage of buying used cars on finance is avoiding depreciation, as new cars can lose up to 60% of their value within the first three years of ownership.
There are two ways in which you can purchase a second hand car; buying from a private seller or buying from a dealership. if you’re buying privately you will have the chance to meet the previous owner and ask as many questions as you like about the car’s history. You will also have the opportunity to haggle a lower price with the seller, especially if you find a fault with the car.
If you would prefer to buy through a used car dealership, you will have some legal protection when purchasing the car under the Consumer Rights Act. With a dealership, you will be able to arrange used car finance which can give you some flexibility with money if you wanted to purchase something that was a little bit more expensive.
Whether you are buying your car privately or from a dealership, we have the ultimate used car checklist, so you can buy your used car with confidence!
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Documents
V5C (Vehicle logbook) – Is the V5C document there? You will need it to tax the car.
Is the sellers name registered on the V5C? If not, why are they selling it on behalf of someone else? Check that the vehicle registration document has a watermark – a watermark will show that the documents are genuine.
Are there any spelling mistakes on the V5C?
Does the vehicle identification number, the engine number, the colour and the number plate match the V5C? There shouldn’t be any differences.
Mileage
Is the mileage, age of the car and overall appearance of the car consistent?
Check the recorded mileage on service records, the MOT certificate and other documents to see if it matches the mileage in the car.
Safety
Are the tyres in good condition? Check the tyre tread on them – the minimum requirement for tyre tread is 1.6mm. You can do the 20p coin test to check tyre tread. If it is close to this or below 1.6mm you will need to change the tyres.
Does it come with a jack and other tools necessary to change the wheel?
Do the seatbelts work properly? Are they frayed or cut in any places?
Do the lights, windscreen wipers and washer work properly? Switch on the lights and walk around the car, checking the indicators, headlights and brake lights work.
Engine
Is there any abnormal noise coming from the engine?
Does the oil light go out when the engine starts?
Are there any visible signs of excessive visible exhaust fumes?
Is the catalytic converter in good condition? Look for a recent emissions test either alone or as part of an MOT test.
Is there any sludge on the underside of the filler cap? If there is it could indicate poor servicing.
Is the oil level correct? If it’s too low it could indicate that the owner neglected routine checks.
Has the cam belt been replaced according to the service schedule?
Is there any sign of a leak? An oil leak will be brown in colour or black if the engine is cold. Coolant will be green/pink/yellow-white in colour. Gearbox or power steering will be a red-brown colour, with the gearbox fluid being slightly thicker in consistency.
Locks, windows and controls
Do all the locks including central locking work?
Can you close and open the windows and sunroof properly?
Are locking wheel nuts fitted? If so, check that the correct adapter is included in the tool kit
Exterior
Is the paint work consistent or does it look different in some places?
Is there any rust on the body? Common places to see rust is on the wings, sills, under the bumper and the wheel arch. An early sign of rust is when the paint starts to bubble, which will eventually come off.
Check for any signs of dents, replacement panels and door seals which can indicate if anything has been fixed or not fixed.
Test driving a used car
Your test drive is the chance to check that the car is in working order but you must ensure that you are insured to drive the car before a test drive. If you find anything wrong with the car you can use it as a bargaining tool to haggle the price of the car down or walk away from the sale.
When you test drive a car you need to check:
- That all the warning lights work
- Ensure the brakes are effective? Is the braking even or can you feel the car pull to one side?
- Are there any unusual noises or excessive exhaust smoke?
- If the handbrake works properly
- That the steering wheel vibrates or pulls to one side
- If there is any resistance or grinding noise when changing gears
- Does the clutch make a noise when pressing down? Is the biting point high? The biting point on most cars will be in the middle of the pedals travel. If so, this can be an indication that it will need replaced soon.
However you choose to buy your used car, make sure you check this guide and follow it when you go to see and test drive the car you are interested in buying. It’ll help you avoid some of the most common pitfalls of buying a used car!
Related – Best time to buy a used car