Car Buying Checklist

Outside

  • Before you do anything, walk around the car to look for any damage or signs of any repair work.
  • Always start the car with a cold engine and check to make sure the bonnet is not warm as this would indicate the car had previously been running. A cold engine would allow you to identify any starting issues the car may have.
  • Run your finger along the gaps between the panels to ensure they are equal. If the gaps are uneven, this could indicate they have been refitted after the car has been involved in a crash.
  • Inspect each tyre carefully, including the spare. Tyres can be very costly, so any damage or serious wear-and-tear can be used to haggle on the price with.
  • The minimum tread on tyre should be 1.6mm
  • Check under the car and especially under the carpets for any sign of accident repairs. Also be sure to look for signs or rust, which can lead to serious deterioration.


Inside

  • Check the car for signs of wear and tear on the steering wheel and pedal covers. If the car has low mileage, these things should not be very worn out.
  • Always ensure that all the seatbelts are in full working order as they are a legal requirement and crucial in saving lives.
  • Check to make sure that the mileage corresponds with what is shown on the MOT certificate and any service history.
  • Find the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) in the engine bay and ensure it has not been tampered with in any way or even removed altogether.
  • The VIN number will also be stamped in the floor beside the driver or passenger seat.
  • Many of the new cars also have the VIN recorded at the base of the windscreen.
  • If any of the numbers do not correspond with those in the logbook then just walk away from the deal.


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