Things to Check When Buying a Second-Hand Car

Buying a second-hand car privately or from a dealer can be a daunting process, especially if you have very little experience and knowledge of cars. In this article, we take a look at several things you should check on every used car before purchasing. This will help you ensure the car you're buying won’t have any obvious issues. If you’re ever unsure about a car, walk away and look for something that’s more suitable.

Dents and scratches

Take a good look at the bodywork of the car; this can give you a good idea if the car has had lots of work done in the past or has been in an accident or bump. Take your time with this process, and make sure you inspect all areas in daylight. Don’t be afraid to tell the seller that you want to come back when the lighting is better; it can be hard to see dents and scratches in the dark with a torch. Look at the colour and texture of all of the bodywork panels; they should all match perfectly; any differences may indicate that parts have been replaced in the past. Small dents and scratches aren’t necessarily an issue if you’re happy with the car; you can always use these to negotiate a better price.

Fluid levels

It’s important to buy a car that’s been well maintained as it's likely to have fewer issues. One way to check how well a car has been maintained is to check the fluid levels of the car. This includes the oil, brake and power steering fluid; all of these levels should be correct, and nothing should be too low. Ask the owner if you’re buying privately about their car maintenance and what regular checks have been done to ensure the car is in good condition. This conversation and fluid levels will help you determine if the car has been well maintained.

Wheels and tires

Tires and wheels are a critical part of your car; they need to be the right tread depth to be legal and ensure they’re safe to drive on the road. If the car has wheel alloys, check to see if there are any scratches or dents on the wheels. Checking the tire pressure can also help you to see if there might be a slow puncture that could mean the tires need to be replaced. Buying a new set of tires for a car can be really expensive; if the tires need to be replaced, you can use this as a negotiation point to get a discount from the seller.

Test the electrics

It's important to get inside the car and test all of the electrics; this means trying each window, testing the radio, the air conditioning and all of the other electrical buttons in the car. Some things, like a faulty driver window, could be frustrating and will need fixing immediately. You may be happy to pay the cost of fixing the window or other electrical issues, but if not, you can always walk away and look for something that’s more suitable for your needs. In addition, any imperfections can be used as a negotiation point to reduce the cost of the car.

Car accessories

It's always a good idea to check if your car should come with accessories such as a spare tire, a puncture kit, locking wheel nut adaptors or a car jack. These accessories should all be included if the car needs them. If they have been lost and need replacing, you can look up the cost to replace the items missing and ask for this amount off the price of the car. The owner might even have the accessories stored somewhere and can find them for you before purchasing the car.

If you’re ever unsure about buying a second-hand car, remember that you can always walk away and are not obligated to pay for the car. Buying from a car dealership can provide some reassurance as they often have warranties and do certain checks to ensure everything is working properly. Plus, if you find something wrong within the warranty period, you can return the car to the dealership and ask them to fix the issue. Most will be happy to fix the problem with your car and ensure everything is working well.