Tyres & Wheels

Instead of just kicking the tyres look and feel round them on both sides for wear. You can tell if the steering is aligned like this as if the tracking is out the tyres will show wear on either the inside or outside edge. Don't forget to check the spare wheel for the condition of the tyre and rim.

Windscreen & Wipers

Try to find any cracks or chips on the glass. Even if they are small now just one bump on a pot-hole could cause it to spread across the whole screen. Most small chips can actually be repaired easily by a windscreen replacement company. Also check the condition of the wipers and blades on both front and rear.

Under The Bonnet

Lift the bonnet and look for the radiator cap and remove it. Look inside the radiator at the coolant and check for any signs of oil floating in there. This could be a sign that the head gasket has gone and is leaking oil into the coolant. Then find the dip stick and look at the colour of the oil to see if it's black. If it is black then that's good but if it's white, coffee or creamy coloured again it could be a leaking gasket or even perhaps a cracked cylinder head.

Start the engine and then listen for any ticking, clicking or growling noises. Any of these indicate something is wrong with the engine or maybe the alternator or water pump. Try and look through the front grill or underneath at the radiator, paying special attention to the lower half for rust as this is where it's prone. Go to the back of the car and test the inside of the end of the exhaust pipe with your finger for black soot. You can expect a little soot but if your finger comes out coked in soot it is a sign that the engine isn't running correctly and is probably burning too rich. This test doesn't apply to diesel engines as they are almost always very sooty.

Ask the seller of the used car when the oil filter and cam belt were last changed and also visually check the condition of them if possible.

Under The Car

It always pays to have a look underneath the car so take something along to put on the ground so you can lay on it. An old piece of carpet or cardboard usually does the trick. As you're not a qualified mechanic it will be difficult for you to tell if things are totally ok or not. But you should still look and check for excessive rust on the chasis, brake lines and suspension struts.

On the bottom of the engine check for signs of major oil leaks which could be patches or even drips. Look at any rubber gaters and flexible brake hoses to see if they're split or perished. Look at the fuel tank and see if it's overly corroded with rust. Finally, examine the exhaust system for corrosion and any holes. You can often hear when there's a hole as it sounds like a boy racers car. Obviously ignore that statement if you're actually buying a boy racers car!

Inside The Car

When you get in the car check the condition of the seats, that they adjust back and forth and that the seat belts work properly. Then test the horn, radio, air conditioning and heater for proper operation. Make sure the key fits in the ignition snuggly and examine the key hole for signs of damage or scratches as this could indicate that the car has been stolen and recovered or repossessed. Also check the door key holes too as the same could apply to them.

Paperwork

Ask the seller to see the registration document and check the name and address are correct. Then make sure the vehicle details correspond to the actual vehicle, i.e. colour, type, etc. Always check that the VIN code on the document matches the one on the car. If the car is being sold with an MOT check the date of renewal is correct and also note the mileage on the document corresponds with the actual mileage. If it comes with tax make sure you check the disc for validity.

Test Drive

Before you commence check the lights, brake lights and indicators are working. If you are pulled over by the police you are responsible for making sure the vehicle you are driving is road worthy. The last thing you need is a fine before you even buy the car. Now take the car out for a drive. See if the car runs smoothly when decelerating and changing gears. Find a nice straight and level road and feel if the wheel is pulling to either the left or right. If it is this is usually a sign that there is an alignment problem. Ideally take the car up to 70 mph and see if the steering wheel shakes. If it does then the wheels need balancing or perhaps the rims are bent. Listen out for any noises such as wurring as this could be a wheel bearing that needs replacing. Check all the dash lights and make sure that the engine, abs and airbag lights are off and also check the temperature, fuel and oil pressure.

Conclusion

Another thing to consider is going online and checking for common faults for the model you're looking at. This way you'll know what to concentrate your attention on when viewing. One final thing to think about is getting an HPI check. This will tell you if the vehicle is legit or not. You can find out whether there is money owed on it and if there has been any problems with the car in the past. A word or warning, if money is owed on the vehicle it can still be repossessed from you even though you bought it from the debter. So there you have it. You should now be able to go out and buy a used car yourself.

Used Car