What to Look Out for When Buying a Second-Hand Car

Buying a used car is a great way to save money on your mode of transport. There are so many great deals on used cars that you should be able to find your dream make and model at the right price, but with a lot of risks involved if you don’t know what to look out for, your used car could prove to be very expensive in the long run. Here’s what you should look out for when buying a used car:

Mileage

An obvious one but worth mentioning, the mileage on a used car is one of the most important things to check. Some cars may have had their mileage clocked, which is where the clock has been illegally wound back, making you think that the car has done less miles than it actually has. Always ask for the vehicle documents which should help you to determine the correct mileage as you’ll be able to compare them on the MOT and service history docs. If unsure, most cars travelling an average amount do around 10,000 miles per year.

MOT and Service History

Always ask to see the vehicles MOT and service history records. If you have any doubts about whether the MOT is legit, then use the gov.uk certificate checker using the vehicle registration and make. There should be a continuation of MOT certificates for the vehicle annually and a regular service history. If there is no service history ask about this and if there are any reoccurring faults, inquire as to why as this could indicate a faulty part that cannot be repaired.

View the Car More Than Once

Often the first time you view a car, you’ll not notice everything about it so you may decide it’s the new vehicle for you without being fully informed. By seeing the car more than once, you can be assured that you’ve seen it in daylight so you’re aware of any hidden dints and scratches and be sure to take it on a test drive before you put down any money.

Be sure to get a receipt for the car which you’ve bought and confirm what you’re getting for your money before you make a deal. Buying a used car with AA Cars, takes away a lot of these problems as all the used cars are checked before going on sale so you can buy in confidence that your new used car won’t let you down.