Your essential checklist when buying a used car

If you see a car that looks just right for you - and one that seems to offer great value for money - it’s easy to get carried away and part with your cash without thoroughly checking its condition.

To ensure you don’t fall into this trap, it helps to have a list of potential problems to look out for. For example, are the tyres in decent condition and all of the appropriate size and specification? Bear in mind that if the tyres have a tread depth of less than 3mm, they’ll probably have to be replaced soon.

Do all of the seatbelts work properly, and are there signs of damage or fraying that could affect how well they function? Are all the lights and the windscreen washers and wipers working as they should? Do the locks, including central and remote controlled locks, function correctly? Do all the windows open and close smoothly?

If there is supposed to be a spare tyre, make sure this is in place too, or if there's a tyre sealant kit and inflator, check that they’re in a serviceable condition. Ensure the jack is present as well.

It’s also important to keep your eyes peeled for signs of forced entry to the car, or indications that the locks have been replaced. In addition, if airbags are fitted, check that the warning lights behave as the handbook suggests they will. Usually, these lights switch on and off when you turn on the ignition.

If you can, arrange to view the vehicle during daylight hours as it’s much easier to spot problems when it’s light. Ideally, you should inspect the car when it’s dry too. It’s more difficult to see signs of damage if the vehicle’s wet.

You should never hand over your money for a used motor without taking it for a test drive first. Bear in mind you’ll need insurance to do this. If you already have your own cover for an existing car, check with your insurance providers to see if you’re allowed to drive someone else’s vehicle. If you don’t have insurance, a private seller or trader’s policy might cover you - but ask them about this before you get behind the wheel.

Your test drive should be at least 15 minutes long and you should have the opportunity to drive on different types of roads so that you can see how the car performs at various speeds. As well as paying attention to the general smoothness and feel of the ride, make sure you look out for a variety of possible red flags. For instance, do the warning lights work normally? Are there unusual noises when you press the brake pedal? Is the steering pulling to one side? Does the handbrake seem slack? Can you hear strange noises when you start the engine from cold? Do the exhaust emissions seem excessive?  

 If you notice any issues when you’re in the driving seat, this probably isn’t the car for you.

Physically inspecting and testing a car is only part of the story when you’re investigating whether it’s a savvy purchase. You’ll also need to do some checks into the vehicle’s history. This will help you to establish whether it’s been sold illegally or has had big repairs in the past.

Check the car’s registration number, MOT test number, make and model, mileage and V5C registration certificate with the DVLA to ensure they tally up with what the vendor is telling you. You can do this online using the DVLA’s vehicle information checker. Ensure that the car has had regular MOT tests too.

While an MOT history isn’t a marker of the current quality of the vehicle, it can give you pointers on the type of driver who owns it. If, for example, the car’s had repeated clutch & gasket issues – it could be an unlucky car or it could be an aggressive driver. This, in turn, could indicate other excessive wear in other parts (such as CV joints) from poor driving habits.

It’s also a good idea to get a private history check done. Also called a ‘data check’, this can cost up to £20, but it’s well worth it as it can flag up any serious problems the car might have had. This includes whether it’s been reported stolen, it’s been written off and then returned to the road, it’s showing an incorrect mileage or the seller still owes money on it.

The safest way to buy a used car is to go to an established trader with a good reputation. Look out for a trade association sign (such as the Retail Motor Industry Federation) or evidence that the company follows the code of practice set out by The Motor Ombudsman.

Auctions don’t offer as much consumer protection, so if you decide to buy a car in this way, make sure you read over the auction house’s terms and conditions very carefully before you start bidding.

 If you’re buying from a private seller, it’s helpful if you can agree to meet at their home rather than in a public place. This means that if anything goes wrong once you’ve made the purchase, you at least have a record of their address in order to contact them.