buying second hand car - how to get it checked before buying

Fuzzyness

I'm looking at a second hand car from a trade seller on saturday and was just wondering how you go about getting the car checked out by your own mechanic before you purchase? i'm no expert on cars and am looking at a £1,500 car with over a 100k on the clock so i suspect there will be underlying issues. any thoughts or suggestions most welcome.

missile

AA and RAC both provide an inspection service for second hand vehicles.

markelock

Check it's MOT history
https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk
that could at least give you an indication as to whether it's been maintained, or had any previous issues.

gonthemicrobe

MOT history still needs to be taken with a pinch of salt. The lemon I bought last month passed every time and only had 2 advisories in its 14 year life. Broke down about 400 miles after I bought it, luckily still within refund timeframe.

markelock

gonthemicrobe wrote: »

MOT history still needs to be taken with a pinch of salt. The lemon I bought last month passed every time and only had 2 advisories in its 14 year life. Broke down about 400 miles after I bought it, luckily still within refund timeframe.

thats crazy

I'll have a read of your thread.

Fuzzyness

markelock wrote: »

Check it's MOT history
https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk
that could at least give you an indication as to whether it's been maintained, or had any previous issues.

just had a look on that and its shown up the following advisories.

under trays fitted wit misting of oil obscuring some underside componants
surface rust on brake pipes and brake hoses ferrules and on some other componants under the vehicle
exhaust pipes slightly deteriorated/corroded
Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases system slightly deteriorated (7.1.2)

the last two would indicate that it will need a new exhaust at some point.

Ebe_Scrooge

Fuzzyness wrote: »

the last two would indicate that it will need a new exhaust at some point.

True, but that's hardly unexpected on an older car with 100K on the clock. It's easy enough to phone up a garage, get a quote for a replacement, then negotiate that off the purchase price.


But you're right, a proper inspection by the AA or RAC ( you don't have to be a member ) can give you some peace of mind. Even better, if you have a friendly local mechanic who'd give it the once over for you in exchange for a few beers. Any impending repairs can be used to try and negotiate a discount - or, even if the seller won't budge, at least you'll have a reasonable idea of what to expect.

EdGasket

The trouble is those AA/RAC inspections don't come cheap and you'd probably never buy anything at £1500 if you relied on them. At £130 for a 'basic' check, you can't afford to inspect too many lemons or you won't have any money left for the car itself.

Best by far is to find a friend who knows about cars and take them.

foxy-stoat

Fuzzyness wrote: »

I'm looking at a second hand car from a trade seller on saturday and was just wondering how you go about getting the car checked out by your own mechanic before you purchase? i'm no expert on cars and am looking at a £1,500 car with over a 100k on the clock so i suspect there will be underlying issues. any thoughts or suggestions most welcome.

So your buying a £1000 car for £1500 -


At this level I would buy from a private seller who has owned and serviced the car for a number of years.