What do you check when buying a used car ?
Discussion
Hi, I'm shortly to check out a few cheap cars to find a runaround 1st car for a young family member so I thought I'd ask what do you guys check when looking at a car offered for sale privately or even on a forecourt ?
For me, I always check shut lines and door gaps for sign of panel damage / replacement, overspray on hinges and anywhere else that it shouldn't be. Then assuming the outside looks ok, eg, dents, rust, paint issues, cracked glass, tyres etc, I check the doors and boot lid open and close ok. Next I check out the inside to see if its presentable, overly worn and that everything works and no airbag or fault lights showing (or bulbs removed)
If the exterior and interior check out then I'll start the engine and listen for any weird noises, look for fluid leaks, engine or ancillaries noise, engine smoke and check the clutch isn't slipping and the exhaust isn't blowing.
After that it's off for a test drive and listen for unusual transmission, tyre, engine or brake noises and check the steering and brakes are ok and as expected.
Finally, I give it the once over on level ground looking for any leaning or anything that just doesn't look right.
I suppose I should check the VIN plate but in all the years I've looked at a car I never have compared it with the log book, same with HPI. Perhaps I should start !
Occasionally I have dropped into a nearby garage on the test drive and given them £25 to stick it up on the ramps and check it out and give me their opinion too.
Just wondering if there are any other handy things / tests you guys do when checking a used car out .. other than paying a mechanic or RAC to do it for you ?
For me, I always check shut lines and door gaps for sign of panel damage / replacement, overspray on hinges and anywhere else that it shouldn't be. Then assuming the outside looks ok, eg, dents, rust, paint issues, cracked glass, tyres etc, I check the doors and boot lid open and close ok. Next I check out the inside to see if its presentable, overly worn and that everything works and no airbag or fault lights showing (or bulbs removed)
If the exterior and interior check out then I'll start the engine and listen for any weird noises, look for fluid leaks, engine or ancillaries noise, engine smoke and check the clutch isn't slipping and the exhaust isn't blowing.
After that it's off for a test drive and listen for unusual transmission, tyre, engine or brake noises and check the steering and brakes are ok and as expected.
Finally, I give it the once over on level ground looking for any leaning or anything that just doesn't look right.
I suppose I should check the VIN plate but in all the years I've looked at a car I never have compared it with the log book, same with HPI. Perhaps I should start !
Occasionally I have dropped into a nearby garage on the test drive and given them £25 to stick it up on the ramps and check it out and give me their opinion too.
Just wondering if there are any other handy things / tests you guys do when checking a used car out .. other than paying a mechanic or RAC to do it for you ?
look for overspray/masking lines in door shuts etc , boot carpet up and look for signs of repairs
quick look underneath with a torch , looking for split cv boots , oil leaks and the condition of the brakes what you can see
check the levels and that the engine is cold , take it for a drive checking the gears and clutch work as they should and that it brakes in a straight line , get back and wait for the fan to come on , then after shutting off try a hot start after a few mins
depending on the car check all the expensive to fix gadgets and goodies work as they should
if its a decent car id want to see a good brand oil filter and decent tyres on it too , extra points for 4 matching branded tyres
quick look underneath with a torch , looking for split cv boots , oil leaks and the condition of the brakes what you can see
check the levels and that the engine is cold , take it for a drive checking the gears and clutch work as they should and that it brakes in a straight line , get back and wait for the fan to come on , then after shutting off try a hot start after a few mins
depending on the car check all the expensive to fix gadgets and goodies work as they should
if its a decent car id want to see a good brand oil filter and decent tyres on it too , extra points for 4 matching branded tyres
I imagine you do already, but I check for wet carpets. Also any common faults on the model in question that need worrying about (e.g. on mine it's pretty much the fuel pump timing solenoid, MAF sensor and intercooler hoses).
Also, experience has taught me that patience and being impartial is key to buying a goodun, or accepting most used cars might need some work to bring up to A1 condition. In other words, don't let the heart rule the head.
ETA - performance mods are usually a no no, and untasteful styling ones. I think that often people spend lots on these and neglect the basics, i.e. have massive bling alloy wheels but the worst quality tyres, and try to cut corners on servicing. Also I have the impression that quite often those who do performance mods themselves might do a poor job at tinkering with the car and there can remedial work in store and issues for the future. Modded cars are quite likely to have been thrashed too, especially those driven by young drivers typically.
I certainly had less mechanical sympethy with my first few cars when I was a teenager.
Also, experience has taught me that patience and being impartial is key to buying a goodun, or accepting most used cars might need some work to bring up to A1 condition. In other words, don't let the heart rule the head.
ETA - performance mods are usually a no no, and untasteful styling ones. I think that often people spend lots on these and neglect the basics, i.e. have massive bling alloy wheels but the worst quality tyres, and try to cut corners on servicing. Also I have the impression that quite often those who do performance mods themselves might do a poor job at tinkering with the car and there can remedial work in store and issues for the future. Modded cars are quite likely to have been thrashed too, especially those driven by young drivers typically.
I certainly had less mechanical sympethy with my first few cars when I was a teenager.
Edited by Turkey on Tuesday 10th March 19:11
Just drive it, anything starts to become obvious soon as you're on the road. A look over the logbook for any CAT D / CAT C markers, if it's over a grand I'd HPi it if buying privately. I'd assume it needs servicing at some point, rare to find a car for sale that's just been serviced (why spend the money) so would already be thinking probably needs oil and filter, maybe a cambelt depending on when last done.
There was one I bought because I needed a car that the seller forgot that the ABS was f
ked, the car made a knocking noise, stopped once it got over 40, and big STOP signs flashed up. It was the rear ABS sensors that needed replacing. They could have been sanded down but was just as easy to replace them for the sake of having it working and not throwing errors.
Another I bought knowing the cooling fan wasnt working, had a bit of a tense sphincter when traffic started to build on the A50, but a quick rewire when I got back home sorted that out.
I HPi'd an Elan before buying it and found out it was CAT C, seller did the best poker face I've ever seen. It was only obvious due to the lack of shock when I dropped the report infront of him.
There was one I bought because I needed a car that the seller forgot that the ABS was f
ked, the car made a knocking noise, stopped once it got over 40, and big STOP signs flashed up. It was the rear ABS sensors that needed replacing. They could have been sanded down but was just as easy to replace them for the sake of having it working and not throwing errors. Another I bought knowing the cooling fan wasnt working, had a bit of a tense sphincter when traffic started to build on the A50, but a quick rewire when I got back home sorted that out.
I HPi'd an Elan before buying it and found out it was CAT C, seller did the best poker face I've ever seen. It was only obvious due to the lack of shock when I dropped the report infront of him.
Turkey said:
ETA - performance mods are usually a no no ... I have the impression that quite often those who do performance mods themselves might do a poor job at tinkering with the car and there can remedial work in store and issues for the future. Modded cars are quite likely to have been thrashed too, especially those driven by young drivers typically.
billm said:
I always check shut lines and door gaps for sign of panel damage / replacement, overspray on hinges and anywhere else that it shouldn't be. Then assuming the outside looks ok, eg, dents, rust, paint issues, cracked glass, tyres etc, I check the doors and boot lid open and close ok. Next I check out the inside to see if its presentable, overly worn and that everything works and no airbag or fault lights showing (or bulbs removed)
If the exterior and interior check out then I'll start the engine and listen for any weird noises, look for fluid leaks, engine or ancillaries noise, engine smoke and check the clutch isn't slipping and the exhaust isn't blowing.
billm, this list of yours is just right. This will get rid of the dross swiftly, allowing you to focus the rest of your time on the sensible offerings. Quentin Willson would be proud of you If the exterior and interior check out then I'll start the engine and listen for any weird noises, look for fluid leaks, engine or ancillaries noise, engine smoke and check the clutch isn't slipping and the exhaust isn't blowing.
The only thing I would add to your first paragraph in the extract above is to lift the bonnet and make a similar body-check on the chassis rails - if they look too clean and newly painted then the car's had a heavy front-end crash.
bristolracer said:
billm said:
Also if the name and address in the log book are not the same as the person / where I am viewing it, then I walk away.
This always, Im selling it for my sister etc. Just No Trust your instinct
Had a guy looking at a Clio for £700 and wanted to photograph the service history book and then ring all the garages/workshops stamped in the book to check whether the work had been done! Reckoned he did it with all used cars. I told him im surprised they didnt tell him to f
k off and stop wasting their time which is what i did in the end after he questioned a late service 8 years previous. The type who will bring it back after a couple of years saying the brake pads are worn out, a complete bellend and theres plenty out there like it, the sort you really dont want to sell to..If they are not the name on the log book or the car is not being viewed at the address on it then they are dealing and trying to portray that they are the owner. If they are lying about that then what else are they lying about. That's why I walk.
Some great advice here guys keep them coming. It's all about spotting a car that isn't right and /or will cause problems or expense later on and avoiding them.
Some great advice here guys keep them coming. It's all about spotting a car that isn't right and /or will cause problems or expense later on and avoiding them.
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