Not yet registered? Create a OverBlog!

Create my blog

How to inspect cars for sale in the UK

The UK used car market is a huge, and sometimes, frightening place to visit. Motor traders have a language of their own and the tricks that are available to the unscrupulous seller are many and varied. You need to keep your head and be logical when assessing a used purchase, whether from the motor trade or privately.

Check the paperwork

There are a few things you need to do before you even approach a prospective car. The most important is to never agree to meet a private seller anywhere other than at their home. Meeting in a car park or by the road is not only dangerous, but it makes it easy for a seller to disguise the vehicle's ownership. When you first arrive, check the vehicle documents. If it's a private sale, check whether the address on the registration paperwork matches your location. If it doesn't, you can question why, but the best advice is to walk away. Look at the VIN (vehicle Identification Number) and make sure that the MOT matches the registration. Now, proceed to the car and check the VIN against the metal plate or stamp on the vehicle.

Initial assessment

You can tell a lot about a car from simply walking up to it. Ask yourself if it looks genuine. Is it too clean? Does the paintwork look too fresh? Of course, this may mean that the seller is particularly fastidious, but do they look like the type who would be? Now, put your hand on the bonnet and feel if it's warm. If it is, then the car has been run recently and that could disguise cold starting issues. Look at the ground where the car is parked and check for oil stains which might indicate a leak.

The bodywork

Obviously, you want to check the car for evidence of rust. Crouch down at each end of the car and look along the length of its sides for ripples. This is a clear indicator of damage repair as no car leaves the factory like this. The same applies to panel gaps which should all be even.

The mechanics

Check the engine bay for signs of leaks. If it is exceptionally clean and missing its warning stickers, it may have been steamed to cover something up. Check inside the oil filler cap. If there is evidence of white grunge, this means that the head gasket could be on the way out. Finally, listen for rattles and knocks when running. All engines make noise, but anything untoward will be obvious.

Interior wear

Checking if all the electrics work is a good practice, but check the wear-on seats and pedals to ensure if they match the car's claimed mileage.

Same category articles Cars

Used Nissan Skyline R34: Advice for buyers

Used nissan skyline r34: advice for buyers

The nissan skyline cars have been around for decades now. the nissan skyline r34 has been designed, taking sports enthusiasts in mind. the popular r34 range was introduced in the 1990s, after the gtr r32 and gtr r33, and still remains very popular. many people like to own one of these and add some twist to their garage. read this article to know more about used nissan skyline r34.
What to do when you have locked keys inside the car

What to do when you have locked keys inside the car

Forgetting to get the keys inside your car and locking yourself out as a result can be very frustrating and irritating. when placed in this type of situation, the one thing that you should not do is to panic as this might negatively impact your judgement. there are many ways available which can help you open your car’s doors without even damaging your vehicle.
Guide to auto loan calculators

Guide to auto loan calculators

There are a number of loans on the market available to consumers who are looking to purchase a car. choosing the correct loan can be quite confusing with the various options out there. an auto loan calculator is a tool which can be utilised so that people select the auto financing which is most suited to them.
How to find a Ford car dealer

How to find a ford car dealer

Are you thinking of buying a new ford or parts for your ford car? are you wondering where you can find your local ford dealership? if you don’t want to spend your time searching and browsing through hundreds of magazines and websites, read the following article. find out all the interesting facts that you need to know about uk ford car dealerships.