Six little-known spots to check before buying a secondhand car… hidden damage could cost you £1,000s in the future
A MOTORS expert has revealed the six little-known spots you should check before buying a secondhand car.
Buying a used car is often a very attractive alternative for many people, especially with the cost-of-living crisis affecting wallets.
However, it’s important not to rush through the checks and inspections so you know exactly how safe and reliable the car is.
Even though car dealers are likely to have thoroughly checked the vehicle, any oversight could see you paying up thousands of pounds in the future.
That’s why Dorry Potter at National Scrap Car has revealed the most important checks to do on a used car.
These six points will ensure the exterior and interior of your new motor are just right before you close the deal.
Check for any bumps and dents
The first thing you need to know when buying a second-hand car is to look for signs that a car hasn’t been in an accident in the past.
Assessing this damage will help you work out the real value of the car, as well as knowing if there’s going to be any maintenance costs in the future.
Start with the exterior of the motor and carefully inspect for any bumps and dents.
One of the most obvious signs of damage you can look for is on the windshield, say experts.
Check the front and back windshields as well as the windows for any small chips, cracks or scratches.
A chipped windscreen repair costs between £40 to £118 on average, so be sure to spot these chips so you don’t have to spend more money after you buy the car.
It’s also crucial to get an eye level view of the car and look along the main line down the side of the car’s body and see if the paint reflects normally.
If you notice the reflection is distorted, then it’s safe to assume that the body panels of the car have been hammered out or replaced due to damage.
Make sure to also check the gaps between doors and adjoining body panels to see if the gaps are straight.
If the gaps are uneven, this suggests that the doors or panels have been replaced, says Dorry.
Replacing a door can cost up to £434, whilst the costs for replacing dents and scratches on doors can add up to around £310.
Keep an eye on paintwork
A car’s paint isn’t there just to make it look good, it also protects the metal surfaces that would corrode if they were directly exposed.
Paint should be an even colour all over the car and have a uniformed texture, say the experts.
However, it’s normal that paint might not be completely smooth on every surface, as even factory applied paint is not look completely flawless.
You can also use a torch on your phone to look for any scratches in the paintwork, which could prevent you from spending £400 on general paint repairs, or £2,650 for a complete respray.
If you do notice lots of inconsistent bumps and blemishes on the car, it could mean that poor preparation was done before a repaint.
Similarly, if the paintwork has some bubbling going on, this could be a sign of either rust beneath the paint or resprayed panels.
Check the tyres for wear and tear
Experts advise to check the tread depth of all the tyres before you purchase the vehicle to make sure they have a minimum of 1.6mm, as well as inspecting for any cuts or signs of ageing rubber.
It’s also important to note that tyres can give great insight into how well maintained a vehicle has been.
For example, if the tyre has a date stamp that’s older than the car, this could indicate that part-worn tyres have been fitted.
Dorry says you should visually inspect the tyres for any cuts and bumps to check for any damage to the tyres.
If you have the option, see if you can test drive the vehicle so you can determine whether the tyre pressure is correct and that there are no other issues.
The costs for replacing tyres vary but this will set you back anywhere from £50 to £700.
Make sure the lights work
Not only can driving without working lights be dangerous for you, it can also affect the safety of other road users.
Your brake lights are crucial for others to know when to slow down and could lead to a collision if they are faulty.
Whilst they’re very important for safety, it can also take a while to notice if they’re broken, so be sure to test them out before buying a used car.
Failure to drive with adequate brake lights could land you with a £60 fine, plus three points on your licence.
Although many people don’t use fog lights as much, if you find yourself driving in foggy conditions, it’s critical that these lights are working properly.
These lights are a legal requirement in the UK, so make sure these lights are working before you purchase a used car.
New car lights cost around £150, so make sure all the lights are working before you purchase the car.
Check the gearbox
Gearbox problems can arise as a result of many reasons, so it’s important to be aware of any common signs, says Dorry.
This can be difficult but if you start to pick up a burning smell, then this could be because the transmission fluid is running low or overheating.
To sort this out, a gearbox fluid flush should work, but make sure this gets sorted as soon as you notice it or it could result in the fluid breaking down so much that it causes even more damage.
Furthermore, if you can hear any clunking or whining noises coming from your gearbox, it can be slightly harder to diagnose what it is.
The issue could be something as simple as running low on transmission fluid or your gear teeth are starting to wear down – but it still needs to be fixed right away.
Don’t forget about the interior
Not only is it important to check for damage or hidden costs on the car exterior, but the interior is just as important.
Have a sniff for any unpleasant smells, such as mildew, as this could signal water damage or poor ventilation in the vehicle, advise experts.
It’s also important to have a feel around for any signs of wear and tear, stains and spills on the seats and carpets, as this could suggest that the person before you neglected the car and didn’t take proper care of it.
You can even get your torch out to inspect the car for more hidden damage.