Used car mechanical checklist

sarah_id1

What are the key mechanical check list before buying and how can I test it, Timing belt sounds the most expensive!

Also I live in London and see some good used car up in Scotland Glasgow, Edinburg. What's the most cheapest and quickest way to get it in London?

Any advise much appreciated

forgotmyname

Most of the stuff you cannot check without a van full of equipment.

Even then there are items you just cannot check.

Cheapest way to get the car to london, Drive it back.

Checking the belt requires the cover to be removed, This maybe a 5 minute or 3 hours with special tools.

Listen to wheel bearings hum. But they can fail instantly with little or no warning.

I was on a 40mph dual carriageway no noises, At the lights it drops to 30mph with a row of shops. I parked up.
As i pulled away and turned right there was a serious grinding noise, The bearing had collapsed.

If the cars in Scotland how will you test it? How much will it cost to take it back there if it needs a repair?

Buy locally..

scotsbob

Number one would be search on Google for the owners forum for the particular make and model. Then go there and ask what specific things for that model should you look for. eg Mazda MX5 owners know they should check for rusting on the quarter light pillar because rusting is common there.

On a test run I always open the windows and listen when I go round corners and roundabouts for the rumbling of wheel bearings.

I always keep the owner talking for a few minutes after a test drive and then look at the engine block and underneath the car for any oil leaks.

I get the car on an incline in neutral with engine off, release handbrake and make sure it rolls freely. Sticking brake calipers can be expensive to replace.

Buying in Scotland your cheapest option is probably to travel up and drive back. Maybe you could ask national firms if they have space to rent on a transporter? I belong to a couple of car clubs in Scotland and members frequently buy in England, that's what they do.

Iceweasel

sarah_id1 wrote: »

Also I live in London and see some good used car up in Scotland Glasgow, Edinburg. What's the most cheapest and quickest way to get it in London?

Any advise much appreciated

This goes against all know logic re car prices.

Most cars are MUCH cheaper the further South one goes.

I'm just back in Aberdeenshire having travelled by overnight bus (£13.50) to London to inspect and purchase a 2 year old car at £1000 less than anything comparable in Scotland.

I'm very happy with the car and could sell it tomorrow for a handsome profit.

Which is exactly how Scottish motor traders earn their living.

The Scottish 2nd hand dealers forecourts are full of cars with South of England number plates.

If you see a car cheaper in Scotland than a comparable car in the M25 area then it is likely to be a 'lemon.'

What makes are you looking at?

zagubov

Iceweasel wrote: »

This goes against all know logic re car prices.

Most cars are MUCH cheaper the further South one goes.

I'm just back in Aberdeenshire having travelled by overnight bus (£13.50) to London to inspect and purchase a 2 year old car at £1000 less than anything comparable in Scotland.

I'm very happy with the car and could sell it tomorrow for a handsome profit.

Which is exactly how Scottish motor traders earn their living.

The Scottish 2nd hand dealers forecourts are full of cars with South of England number plates.

If you see a car cheaper in Scotland than a comparable car in the M25 area then it is likely to be a 'lemon.'

What makes are you looking at?

I had a mate who visited from home counties to Aberdeen to see his family, bought a used car from ads in the paper, drove it south and sold it, pretty regularly, and made money out of it.

Some years back we got a cheap flight from London to Glasgow to buy a used car and drove it back. Last year when we got a new car had to get a bus there but they're quite cheap.

Neither of these were lemons but we had local help who were happy to do an initial test-drive.

Weird_Nev

This is the check list I use to inspect my cars when I go and see them. Forgive me, this has been doctored for my most recent purchase so it's a bit "Australian Mitsubishi Pajero" specific. Anyway, research the model year, build a checklist like this, and then you can go and see a number of cars and check items against one another. Once I've seen a few cars I feel I'm in a position to judge condition and value.


If you want the Excel file, PM me and I can email you a more generic version.

sarah_id1

Iceweasel wrote: »

Most cars are MUCH cheaper the further South one goes.
What makes are you looking at?

Really! from what I've heard its more cheaper up in north than south as zagubov said

OddballJamie

If you find a cheaper one further away then print it out and take it to a local dealer with a similar car and try your luck.

Saves time, fuel and hassle if things go wrong.

zagubov

sarah_id1 wrote: »

Really! from what I've heard its more cheaper up in north than south as zagubov said

Well I don't know if it's quite such a neat north south thing but I do think there are surprisingly big regional variations.

It's only useful if you have local connections you can trust, as you've very little comeback if you buy from anywhere distant.