Buying used car - what to ask and look for

s-j-cooper_2

Hello!

I am test driving an 04 reg Zafira tomorrow with a view to buy it if it is alright. What sort of things should I look for (during the test drive and physically inspecting it)and what sort of questions should I ask?

Also, does anyone have any advice on haggling (is there a general %age that dealers work on etc - it is a Network Q Vauxhall dealer, any extras I might ask for).

I am rubbish at this sort of thing!

Thanks

absfabs

Bought a 2nd hand car a month ago and used info what to look for when inspecting car and taking for testdrive from this website:

https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/buy_sell/index.htm?blk=BuySell_UsedChecking

Exemplar

Having been in the trade for a loooooong time here are a few pointers.
1) Ask this 'Has the car seen any paint'. Ask it exactly like that and say nothing after.
2) Check the shut lines (where the panels meet) they should be the same size both sides.
3) Check the owners and specifically whether it has been a hire car (Ask to see the history on their PC if they have it or on the V5) If the first owner was a company it may have been a pool/hire car. As an example 1car1 are a massive hire car company but their cars are all owned by 'Humortree Ltd' which is a subsiduary of 1car1 and therefore intimates that the car has been meticulously looked after as opposed to being thrashed.....
4) Do NOT be afraid of walking away, other cars will come along!
5) Check that it is not an old model year (eg brother nearly bought a brand new 07 Astra Coupe but it was 06 stock whereas there have been some important revisions for 07).
6) Email me if you need any guidance or anything!
Good luck!
Alex

taxiphil

With it being an 04 Reg, you might want to look for a late registration model (ideally registered in July or August 2004) so it has plenty of manufacturer's warranty left on it.

steveo3002

for the test drive...check it starts easily , drives straight and doesnt veer to one side on heavy braking, make sure the gears all engage nicley and the clutch bite is not too high, make sure the steering wheel is centralised when driving straight and doesnt judder or vibrate at speed of under braking...check the temp gauge reaches warm temp in good time and that all gauges work as the should

check all doors close easily and all panels have even and smooth gaps, look over the paint for a bad color match or slight differance in shine to indicate a paint job , check all trims and moldings fit nicley and have no overspray etc

check the side bolsters for wear on the driver seat , and look to see if the wear on the pedals and steering wheel agree with the stated milage

check all tyres (inc spare) for even and legal amount of tread ..its a good sigh to see all matching good brand name tyres, cheapys are a sign the owner was a penny pincher...ask for heavily worn ones to be replaced in the deal...check hubcaps or wheels for heavy curbing, its a sign of careless driving

check under the bonnet...water level and oil should be correct....any signs of oil leaks anywhere?

as for haggling , id try to have a few hundred off , its often easier to get mats , mudflaps or a cd player upgrade thrown in or a free service /mot deal

s-j-cooper_2

Thanks for the advice everyone. We went for it in the end. Got £500 off, free mats, full tank of petrol and 6 months tax + supaguard protection for £45 (instead of £200!). I asked for free sat nav, but he was having none of it!