2nd hand car buying tips
Discussion
Buying a 2nd hand car is fraught with potential pitfalls and it can be hard to tell the well looked after cars from the dross.
My tip which has served me reasonably well in avoiding money pits, is to look at the tyres, if there is a Michelin, another premium make, or at a push the exact make & size the car came equipped with fitted as standard I'll give it a closer look.
Other no brand makes of tyre, to me set off my "lack or care/attention to detail" filters, so I look a lot closer at the service history, water and oil levels and walk away if I need to.
I've avoided some dogs using my premium tyres criteria, so what sifting criteria do you use?
My tip which has served me reasonably well in avoiding money pits, is to look at the tyres, if there is a Michelin, another premium make, or at a push the exact make & size the car came equipped with fitted as standard I'll give it a closer look.
Other no brand makes of tyre, to me set off my "lack or care/attention to detail" filters, so I look a lot closer at the service history, water and oil levels and walk away if I need to.
I've avoided some dogs using my premium tyres criteria, so what sifting criteria do you use?
How do you know what make it came from the factory with?!
Manufacturers aren't generally tied to a single brand for years on end, you'll get a variance of premium/named brands in my experience.
Saying that, it can't be a bad thing to find 4 of the same tyre on a car. 4 different brands of no name budgets would make me think twice!
Manufacturers aren't generally tied to a single brand for years on end, you'll get a variance of premium/named brands in my experience.
Saying that, it can't be a bad thing to find 4 of the same tyre on a car. 4 different brands of no name budgets would make me think twice!
thepeoplespal said:
Buying a 2nd hand car is fraught with potential pitfalls and it can be hard to tell the well looked after cars from the dross.
My tip which has served me reasonably well in avoiding money pits, is to look at the tyres, if there is a Michelin, another premium make, or at a push the exact make & size the car came equipped with fitted as standard I'll give it a closer look.
Other no brand makes of tyre, to me set off my "lack or care/attention to detail" filters, so I look a lot closer at the service history, water and oil levels and walk away if I need to.
I've avoided some dogs using my premium tyres criteria, so what sifting criteria do you use?
So would you buy a car from me. Fitted with 4 new Kuhmo's the other day,plus a set of Kuhmo winters. Not original fitment though. Just wondering if I fit your criteria?My tip which has served me reasonably well in avoiding money pits, is to look at the tyres, if there is a Michelin, another premium make, or at a push the exact make & size the car came equipped with fitted as standard I'll give it a closer look.
Other no brand makes of tyre, to me set off my "lack or care/attention to detail" filters, so I look a lot closer at the service history, water and oil levels and walk away if I need to.
I've avoided some dogs using my premium tyres criteria, so what sifting criteria do you use?
bearman68 said:
So would you buy a car from me. Fitted with 4 new Kuhmo's the other day,plus a set of Kuhmo winters. Not original fitment though. Just wondering if I fit your criteria?
Possibly, I'm a Sucker for winter tyres as incurring an extra, not strictly necessary cost, suggests caring enough to look after the rest of the car & not skimping on maintenance. Kuhmo while not quite premium (yet, but getting there) in my eyes, is original fitment for plenty of korean cars, so not exactly a no name brand. Hancook would be on a power & they are fitted to Audi A4s. The current banger had 4 x Goodyear Efficient Grip mud & snow tyres, which is why I viewed it & it was clear that the long term owners valued reliability looking at the receipts & mot history. I did see a few others but my aversion to cheapo tyres seemed to hold true. Your mileage my vary.
There is another take on 'expensive tyres=well looked after=I'll buy it' theory.
Somebody needs new tyres, buys expensive ones even though they're moving the car on soon? Could be well looked after, new expensive tyres and then find out about a big impending problem which is going to cost ££ and decide to cut losses and bale out.
Somebody needs new tyres, buys expensive ones even though they're moving the car on soon? Could be well looked after, new expensive tyres and then find out about a big impending problem which is going to cost ££ and decide to cut losses and bale out.
A few years ago I went with a mate to buy a BGT, Went all over the car and it was very good but one thing that influenced the decision to buy was that the seller had a proper Thor hide hammer for the knock on wheels. these are not easy to find where we live and we both thought it a good sign of a careful owner. It proved to be a good Oman as the car has been great.
thepeoplespal said:
Possibly, I'm a Sucker for winter tyres as incurring an extra, not strictly necessary cost, suggests caring enough to look after the rest of the car & not skimping on maintenance. Kuhmo while not quite premium (yet, but getting there) in my eyes, is original fitment for plenty of korean cars, so not exactly a no name brand. Hancook would be on a power & they are fitted to Audi A4s.
The current banger had 4 x Goodyear Efficient Grip mud & snow tyres, which is why I viewed it & it was clear that the long term owners valued reliability looking at the receipts & mot history. I did see a few others but my aversion to cheapo tyres seemed to hold true. Your mileage my vary.
Maybe there's something in it then. All my cars tend to be fitted with Kuhmo or sometimes Toyo, as nearly all the performance at half the price. The Volvo not mentioned has just has new front suspension, a set of brakes and a pair of rear callipers, a new air con rad and dryer, and a regas, as well as oil and filters all its life. 2008, 175k, and is almost mint Quite proud of that, even though it worth about 57p on a good day.The current banger had 4 x Goodyear Efficient Grip mud & snow tyres, which is why I viewed it & it was clear that the long term owners valued reliability looking at the receipts & mot history. I did see a few others but my aversion to cheapo tyres seemed to hold true. Your mileage my vary.
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff