What to Check Before Buying a Used Car

A used car can be a good deal, but only if you know what you’re actually buying. The problem is that faults are not always obvious. A car might look tidy, start first time and seem perfectly fine during a short drive, yet still have problems hiding underneath.

You don’t need to know everything about engines to make a sensible decision. A few checks before you buy can tell you a lot.

Check the car’s history first

Before arranging a viewing, it’s worth looking into the car’s background.

A car history check can show whether there is outstanding finance, whether the car has been written off in the past, or if it has been reported stolen. You may also be able to see previous mileage records and registration changes.

If there is very little paperwork with the car, an online service history check may help fill in some of the gaps.

None of this takes very long, and it can save you travelling to see a car that already has obvious warning signs.

Read through the MOT history

Don’t just look at whether the car passed its last MOT. Scroll through the older results too.

Advisories can be useful. If worn tyres, suspension problems or brake issues keep appearing year after year, ask whether the work was ever carried out.

The mileage on each MOT should also make sense. If the numbers suddenly drop or barely move for several years, find out why.

There can be perfectly innocent explanations, but it’s better to ask than assume.

Look at the car in daylight

Photos can hide quite a lot, especially if they were taken from flattering angles.

When you see the car in person, walk around it slowly. Look for dents, rust, scratches and differences in paint colour. One panel looking slightly darker than the rest could mean it has been repaired or resprayed.

Check the gaps around the doors, bonnet and boot as well. They should look reasonably even.

A few marks are normal on an older car. What matters is whether the condition matches what the seller has told you.

Don’t forget the tyres

Tyres are easy to overlook until you realise a full set needs replacing.

Check how much tread is left and look for cracks or bulges in the sidewalls. Also see whether the tyres are wearing evenly.

Heavy wear on one side can sometimes point to tracking, alignment or suspension problems.

Even if the tyres are legal, badly worn ones give you another expense to deal with shortly after buying.

Have a look under the bonnet

You don’t need to start taking anything apart.

Just look for anything obvious. Oil around the engine, low fluid levels, damaged hoses or signs of coolant leaks are all worth asking about.

If possible, ask to hear the car start from cold. Some rattles, smoke or starting problems are much easier to notice when the engine hasn’t already been warmed up. 

A seller who has the engine running before you arrive may have a perfectly good reason, but it’s still worth asking.

Check everything inside

Sit in the driver’s seat and try the controls.

Test the windows, air conditioning, heater, lights, radio, central locking and any parking sensors or cameras. Small electrical faults can become irritating very quickly.

Look at the wear on the steering wheel, pedals and driver’s seat too. It should roughly make sense for the mileage.

When you switch the ignition on, dashboard warning lights should appear and then go out after the engine starts. If one stays on, don’t ignore it.

Take your time on the test drive

A quick lap around the block won’t tell you much.

Drive the car long enough to see how it behaves at different speeds. Check that the steering feels normal and that the car doesn’t pull strongly to one side.

The brakes should feel smooth, without shaking or grinding. If it’s a manual, make sure the clutch doesn’t slip and the gears go in cleanly.

Turn the radio off for part of the drive. Listen for knocks, rattles, whining or humming sounds.

If something doesn’t feel right, ask about it there and then.

Look through the paperwork

Ask to see the V5C and make sure the registration and vehicle details match the car.

It’s also worth checking the VIN on the vehicle against the paperwork.

Service books are useful, but receipts can be even better. They show what has actually been replaced or repaired and when the work was done.

A folder full of old garage invoices might not look exciting, but it can tell you a lot about how the car has been treated.

Don’t let the seller rush you

You’ll often hear that somebody else is coming to view the car later.

That may be true, but it shouldn’t change how carefully you check it.

If you’re unsure, go away and think about it. A good car is still a bad buy if you feel pressured into making the decision.

And if the seller avoids basic questions, refuses a test drive or won’t show you the paperwork, there’s no reason to force the deal.

Before you pay

Used cars are rarely perfect. A stone chip, worn seat or small scratch is not necessarily something to worry about.

Hidden finance, unexplained mileage, warning lights or a suspicious history are different.

Take your time, check what you can and ask when something doesn’t make sense. If you still don’t feel comfortable, leave it.

Another car will come along.