MOTORHUB MAGAZINE
Buying
a Used
Car?
Exterior checks
• Check the bodywork for a consistent
paint finish – the paint should be the same
shade all over the car; if not, it’s probably
had some damage and a respray
• Make sure the gaps between the panels
are the same width – if not, the car could
have been crashed and repaired
• Check the doors and the boot open and
close smoothly, and examine the rubber
seals for paint – it could point to a respray
• Press down carefully on the car at each
corner and release; the car should return
smoothly to its normal height – if it bounces before settling the suspension could
need work
• Bubbling paintwork indicates rust and is
most common around the wheel arches,
bumpers and window frames – check everywhere, particularly areas regularly in
contact with water
• Check the car’s Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN) for signs of tampering. The
VIN is recorded on a metal strip at the base
of the windscreen, under the bonnet or beneath the carpet on the driver’s side.
• Check the tyres and the spare wheel with
a tread depth gauge, which are available
from car accessory shops. The minimum
legal tread depth is 1.6mm across the width
of the tyre, but more is better
• Make sure the tyres have even wear –
more wear on one side of the tyre indi-
cates the suspension or tracking alignment
needs adjusting – it could also point to
crash damage
• If the car is a convertible, make sure the
roof moves up and down smoothly and
locks fully into place, check the material
for tears, and make sure the rear window is
free from cracks and discolouration
Under the bonnet
• Check the car’s VIN is the same as recorded in the logbook
• Check for oil, water or other fluid leaks
around the engine and other mechanical
components, as well as on the ground underneath
• Remove the engine oil dipstick, wipe
it with a cloth and replace it. Remove it
again and check the oil is on or around the
‘max’ level; the oil should be golden and
free from debris – if not, the oil will need
changing and could indicate neglect
• Check the top of the engine (you may
need to unclip the plastic engine cover
first) and underneath the engine oil cap for
a white, mayonnaise-like substance which
could indicate a damaged engine head gasket and often-irreparable engine damage
• Check the fluid levels for the engine coolant (large, often round tank with a screw
cap filled with pink fluid) and brake fluid
(small bottle, often attached at the rear of
the engine bay) are at the correct indicated
How to
make sure
you don’t
get ripped
off.
level when the engine is cool
• Check the battery terminals and connectors on top of the battery are rust-free and
in good condition
Inside the car
• The mileage on the odometer inside the
speedometer should be consistent with the
advert and car’s documents
• Check wear on the seats and steering
wheel are consistent with the car’s mileage
– high mileage cars will often show wear
on the side bolsters and the steering wheel
may have a shiny appearance
• Check the VIN for signs of tampering.
The VIN is recorded on a metal strip at the
base of the windscreen, under the bonnet
or beneath the carpet on the driver’s side.
• Make sure everything works, including
the air conditioning, all electric windows,
sunroof, adjustable seats and even the fuel-filler and bonnet release
• Look for damage to the steering column
and ignition – damage could indicate the
car has been stolen at some point
• Check the seat belts, the passenger side of
the dashboard and the steering wheel cover – frayed seat belts could indicate they’ve
been activated in a crash and damage to the
dashboard and steering wheel could mean
the car’s airbags have been activated in a
crash.
ISSUE #2 Jun - Sept
7