With our data showing used car prices have risen by 15% over the past year (compared to 8.5% for new cars), it's more important than ever to do your research and carry out all necessary checks before parting with your cash.
Read on to discover the seven questions you must ask before buying a used car.
Looking for a cheap car? We reveal the1. Is it safe?
If you’ve set your sights on buying a certain model of car, make sure you check out its safety credentials first.
Be aware, however, that Euro NCAP’s tests get more stringent over time, so a car that scored five stars in 2013 isn’t necessarily safer than a 2023 model that scores three stars.
When viewing the car, look for any dashboard lights that stay illuminated once the car’s started - they could indicate a safety-related malfunction. If you’re unsure of any, head to the manufacturer website to find out what they mean. As well as being potentially unsafe, faulty safety equipment can be very expensive to fix.
2. Is it reliable?
If you buy new (or nearly new), you’ll have a manufacturer warranty to cover any problems that might crop up. With older cars, however, you’ll be the one footing the bill if something goes wrong. And although the seller might swear blind they’ve never had a problem with the car, you’ve only got their word for it.
This is where our unique reliability data comes in.
Each year, we survey tens of thousands of drivers about their experiences with their car, and while used cars are typically less reliable than new, we’ve seen plenty of older models that buck the trend and remain dependable as they age. Of course, there are also those that have truly abysmal reliability records in later life.
If the car you’re thinking of buying is still within the warranty period, it’s vital to check that it’s got a service history that conforms to the manufacturer’s schedule and specification, otherwise the warranty may be invalidated.
3. What's the car's history?
4. Does it have all necessary documentation?
Every car registered in the UK comes with a V5C (logbook), which contains information about the vehicle’s registration with the DVLA. Make sure the details of the current owner match those listed on the front page of the logbook, and that the number of previous owners listed matches what you’ve been told by the seller.
The logbook also records other details, such as the colour of the car. If you see any inconsistencies that can’t be explained by the seller, we recommend you walk away from the deal.
Make sure the logbook has a ‘DVL’ watermark and that its serial number isn’t between BG8229501 to BG9999030, or BI2305501 to BI2800000 - the DVLA has previously warned that these numbers are likely to appear on logbooks of stolen cars.
A comprehensive service history, along with any bills for work carried out on the vehicle are also important to gauge how well the seller looked after it. If the car is still within its warranty period, you’ll need these to prove it has been maintained according to the manufacturer’s schedule (if in any doubt, contact the manufacturer directly to check).
5. Where's the car been driven?
Our research shows that drivers cover around 8,100 miles per year, with nearly half of those miles being covered in urban areas.
While a car that has covered a large number of miles shouldn’t necessarily be avoided, you should ask the vendor where the car was driven and what the car was used for. If a high-mileage car spends most of its time in towns or cities, it will have lived a harder life than a car that’s driven predominantly on motorways.
Conversely, some cars (especially diesels) that have lower mileage figures or are only used for short trips may need extra maintenance in order to avoid expensive garage bills in the future.
Drive smarter and cut costs using our expert advice.6. What condition is it in?
However, if there are lots of dents, scratches and chips to the paintwork, ask the vendor how they happened and how long they’ve been on the car. Bear in mind that any large scratches may need dealing with professionally to prevent rust.
Bring a torch with you to make inspecting the undercarriage of a car easier, allowing you to spot leaks and corrosion. Shine the torch across the body work - if you spot panels that have a slightly different shading to the rest of the car, it could indicate they’ve been replaced as part of a repair job.
During your inspection, make sure features like the air conditioning are in working order (while a re-gas is relatively cheap, a more problematic aircon repair can stretch into four figures).
7. How does it drive?
The seller should allow you to test drive the car they are selling - if they don’t, they may have something to hide.
Along with how the car drives generally, keep in mind the following:
Do the car’s brakes work correctly?Is the clutch easy to use? Does the suspension work well?Is the steering smooth?Does the engine/motor run freely?For more information on buying a used car, see our guide on .undefinedsource https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/seven-questions-you-must-ask-before-buying-a-used-car-a2mQm1e2m0Qd