They may be able to help you by asking the right questions about the car’s features and specifications so that you can decide whether it’s right for you.Ĭonsider bringing your spouse/partner or children along for the test drive if they will be travelling with you on a regular basis. If you don’t have a good working knowledge of cars but have a friend or family member who happens to be a mechanic (or at least a petrolhead), consider inviting them along to support you. (Floating particles in the water expansion tank can also be an early indicator of head gasket failure.) Watch out for mustard-coloured buildup (particularly inside the oil filler cap), as this may suggest head gasket problems. If it is golden in colour rather than black, this is a positive sign, as it indicates the vehicle has recently been serviced. Pull the dipstick to verify the condition of the oil. Test the electrics - Make sure that features such as the electric windows, heaters, air-conditioning and climate control are all working correctly.Ĭheck under the bonnet - Check that the engine oil has been filled to the correct level and look for any signs of oil leakage or build-up. However, bear in mind that if there is a wrong mileage on the MOT certificate – or the vehicle has more wear and tear than you would expect for its claimed mileage, this may indicate odometer tampering has occurred. Statistics show that seatbelts save lives, so check that all seatbelts are present and work exactly as they should.Ĭheck out the mileage - Mileage affects cars’ value, so pay attention to the number on the odometer and whether the vehicle has a good mileage for a used car of its age. Inspect the seatbelts - If you drive or travel in a car without working seatbelts, you could be liable to pay a seatbelt fine. ![]() If they are below 3mm, we would recommend getting them replaced soon, if you decide to purchase the vehicle. Test all lights and indictors - Do they all work correctly?Ĭheck the tyres - Check the tyres are above the minimum legal tyre tread depth limit of 1.6mm. However, if you see blue smoke, this could hint at oil-burning issues. In colder weather, you may observe what appears to be white smoke (but is actually steam). Ask the seller if you can observe the exhaust emissions. More severe damage to the bodywork may hint at structural damage, which could also mean the vehicle is unsafe to drive.Ĭheck the exhaust pipe - The exhaust pipe should be firm and supported. If there is corrosion or rust in certain prescribed areas, this may also cause the vehicle to fail its next MOT test, so beware!Ĭheck out the bodywork - Take a good look around the bodywork, as any dents and scratches will reduce the vehicle’s value. Pay close attention to any plastic coverings on the arches and sills, which may conceal developing rust. You should check for rust around the wheel arches, sill edges and the underside of the vehicle. Bear in mind that any level of rust will also affect a car’s value. This tool will show you the outcomes of any previous MOT tests, including any faults and advisories highlighted.Ĭheck for rust - Severe rust is a sign of corroded metal and if present may weaken the car’s structural integrity.Īlthough a small amount of rust does not present a significant issue, anything more than light pitting or surface-level rust can be considered too much rust. You can check the vehicle’s MOT status by entering its registration number into our free MOT check tool. When the logbook is missing, it is more difficult to determine whether a vehicle has been stolen, has an insurance write-off category – or whether the seller is legally entitled to sell it. When transferring ownership of the vehicle, the seller should detach the ‘new keeper slip’ in this document to give to the new owner, who should complete and send it to the DVLA in order to register the vehicle in their name.Īlthough there are no laws against selling a car without a V5C logbook, the DVLA advises against buying one. ![]() This document contains key information about the vehicle and was issued by the DVLA when it was registered. V5C logbook and MOT certificate - Ask the seller to show you the vehicle’s V5C logbook. However, don’t give up – you may be able to turn detective and piece together the car’s missing service history. It is not uncommon for part (or all) of the service history to be misplaced, particularly with older used vehicles. A full service history will give you the assurance that the car has been regularly serviced, in line with the manufacturer’s guidelines. Service history - Ask the seller to show you the car’s service history.
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