Many of us do not know what to look for when buying used cars. Here are some points that might help you when you are purchasing you second hand car.

 

After you have found a car that you are interested in buying find out more about the car that is being sold rather than about the model. Most people make the common mistake about asking more about the model than about the car. Make sure the owner has the car’s paperwork and is ready to show it to you. Check and see that the MOT, the VIN numbers and the registration certificate is in the seller’s name.

Buying a cheap car can turn out costly unless you make a few basic checks, all the paperwork should tally with the car. The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) should correspond with the one stamped on the metal VIN plate. This should be under the bonnet or at the base of the windscreen. All cars older than three years should have an annual MOT certificate. It would be ideal to test the engine when it is still cold. It’s possible the seller will try and warm the engine up before you arrive, and you should run a hand over the bonnet to see if this is the case. A sound engine will switch on immediately and not cause many problems. Any smoke or noise from the exhaust is a red flag as it could mean the exhaust has a hole in it somewhere. A car with a recent catalytic converter fitting should have a MOT. If there is none, you want to get an emission check done, as you will pay up to € 900 for a replacement catalytic converter. Rattling and knocking sounds coming from the bonnet are also a bad sign because your budget car can quickly turn out to be a money pit. After going for a test drive, ask the owner to take the cap off the oil filter and check if it is in good condition. The owner should be able to tell you how often the cam-belt has been changed and provide proof thereof. A noisy engine could signal that the clutch is failing, which means more maintenance.

Apart from all this you should also check:
Fluids
Check all the car’s fluid levels: power steering oil, normal oil, and the level of water in the radiator or expansion tank. Be wary of spotless, clean engines. A seller can invest a rather modest sum of money on an engine clean that will disguise a whole range of problems.
Brakes
Use the test drive to stamp on the brakes when the car is at a reasonable speed and when road conditions permit. If the car pulls up straight and fast, it is in good condition, however, if it makes a grinding noise, it may mean the pads are worn out. This is not only costly to fix but dangerous as well. Test not only the brakes, but also the handbrakes to see if it will support a car on a hill.
Suspension
The car should glide over bumps, so to speak, and not wallow or float, which means the shock absorbers are faulty, again leading to expensive bills.
Gearbox
Even in a cheap car, you should be able to switch gears comfortably enough, with no whining noises emanating from the gearbox.
Lights
Test the lights, including the brake lights, to see if they are working well enough. If not, there could be an electrical fault.
Tyres
the tyre’s tread depth should be at least 1.6mm across the width of tyre over the full circumference. Check for any sidewall damage as well as uneven wear, which will mean suspension or steering trouble. Is there a spare wheel? If so, check if it is in a good condition.
Mileage
As a rule, the cheaper a car the more likely it is to have a high mileage. The mileage might not be a true reflection on how much the car has travelled. .Clocking is a very real concern to potential car buyers; therefore it is a good idea to ask for old MOT certificates for a history of the accumulated mileage over time.

Check if the car’s inside is dirty and neglected. This is a good way to test the seller’s veracity if he claims the car has a low mileage.
Bodywork
An all-over body check may reveal irregularities in the colour or in the car’s panels. These may be minor or they may indicate your car is the result of two cars being welded together. Rust can put a big dent into your pocket so be on the lookout for it in the sills, the floor pan or at the top of the suspension’s strut towers.

Alternately you can also visit the website www.fish-bros.co.uk for great deals on used cars and vans. They have a wide range of new and used cars and vans. Fish-bros are well known in the automobile industry for their car sales.

 

Bibliography: www.motors.co.uk/buyers-guide-Buying+a+car+on+a+budget-7