Purchasing a second hand car

Buying cars on the second hand market can be fraught with problems, and if you are not careful, you can end up saddled with a huge repair bill shortly after buying your vehicle. Therefore, it is important to thoroughly check any vehicle that you are considering buying for any pre existing or potential problems.

Take a look inside the car, in particular for any standing water or stains, as these may be the result of a leak, which can be expensive to fix. Check all of the controls, switches, and buttons in turn to see that they all work the way they are supposed to, and make sure that all the lights and displays are functioning as they should.

1. Have a good look at the paintwork on the exterior of the vehicle, especially on the underside panels, which are particularly prone to rust, dents, and scratches. The problem with rust is that once it has started, it can spread fairly rapidly, so it is important to head off these problems at the pass, preferably by buying a car which is completely rust free.

2. Look out for signs that a car has been involved in an accident, such as inconsistent paintwork or dents, and do not forget to look in the boot and under the bonnet, as it is harder to cover up accident damage in these areas.

3. The next thing you should do is check the engine itself. Have a look at the oil dip stick to check whether there is plenty of clean oil in the engine, and check the coolant, which should be clean and brightly coloured.

4. When an engine is running at a reasonable temperature, there should be no visible smoke coming out of the exhaust, so turn it on and check this out before you go any further. Where there is smoke, there is usually a mechanical problem which could be expensive to fix.

5. If the car seems in good enough condition up to this point, then you might want to take it for a test drive. Check that the steering, brakes, and gear mechanism are smooth and responsive, and that the car does not veer to one side when you loosen your grip on the wheel.

Although this set of checks will certainly suffice for a cheaper car, if you are spending a bit more money then it could be worth your while having the car checked over by a qualified, independent mechanic to make sure all is well before you splash the cash. While this may cost a couple of hundred pounds, it could end up saving you substantially more in future repair bills.

Come to Kwik Fit Insurance for a car insurance quote and we’ll get you one in double-quick time.

About the Author:
There are many different approaches to buying a second hand car, such as buying from an independent dealership or attending an auction.