Things to look out for when buying a car

Now more than ever, it is vital that individuals looking to buy a car complete a number of checks before actually completing their purchase.

It’s always great to find yourself a bargain when looking to buy a new car, but sometimes if a deal is too good to be true, then it could well be. Whether you are buying from a dealer or a private seller, be sure to do your due diligence and ensure all is up to scratch with your purchase. 

It has been reported by the Office of Fair Trading that those buying a used car lose an average of £425 fixing unreported issues with their vehicle - costing us consumers a total of £85 million per year. 

So, to save yourselves some cash, as well as the time and effort required to repair any potential faults, be sure to follow our list of important checks that should always be completed when buying a car.

Vehicle History Check

The first thing you should always do when purchasing a new car is complete a vehicle history check to find out some potentially vital information about your new buy. This completed at the relatively small cost of just £20, which will certainly be worth your money for peace of mind alone. You can check a cars history for free by inputting the registration on this website 

Potential scenarios that could come your way include finding out the car is stolen or under a logbook agreement, meaning you don’t own the car yourself and could then be lodged with the debt once of the previous owner. 

Arrange a viewing and test drive

Taking a look before buying is another one of the things that must be high on your list of priorities when purchasing a new car. Buy taking a look yourself, you are able to see any potential scratches or dents that may have been hidden by the listed photos, while a test drive can let you see how it drives and if you are comfortable doing so. 

Vehicle Value

Taking a look at the value of the vehicle by comparing similar makes and models and their prices will give you an educated idea as to whether or not you are getting a good deal. Making sure you do your research on that side of things will ensure you aren’t ripped off and left paying way over the odds for your new car.

Mileage

Always be sure to look out for any potential clocking on the vehicle you are interested in. For those who don’t know, clocking is the process of tampering the car’s odometer to lower the mileage shown, thus increasing the car’s overall value. If the mileage shown for the age and condition of the car, don’t be afraid to question the seller.

Tyres

Finally, checking the condition of the tyres could tell you plenty about the car. Check the tread depth of the vehicle’s tyres to see if they are road legal and for any other damage that may be present. If the tyres aren’t legal for use, it could see a significant additional fee added to your car after purchasing - and good quality tyres don’t come cheap.