Buying a 2nd hand car

qwerty2849949

Hey guys, 

So I'm in the market for a 2nd hand car and I'm getting a little bit overwhelmed with it all. This is the 2nd time buying a car, my 1st one I bought was a Focus for like 1.6k probably like 12 years ago. I didn't know much about cars back then (Still don't now), But when I bought it a few weeks later I had to replace the clutch on it which back then was a lot of money to me.

Now I'm looking to buy a car around the 10-12k mark. Given the price I don't want to make any stupid mistakes. I have a few cars shortlisted but this seems to be the one on top at the moment https://www.saxton4x4.co.uk/vehicle/seat-arona-10205 

I'm not sure what I'm really asking here but are there any guide lines I should follow. I know as soon as I enquire about this vehicle they'll be as accommodating as they can be until I hand over the money, Then after that they won't be so accommodating. 

Regards.

Dogbyte009

If you don't know a lot about cars it's worth getting an independent inspection. AA and RAC both do them, it'll cost you £100 or so but it'll give you peace of mind.

Goudy

Go and lay eyes on it.
Never buy a used car blind.
Pictures on the internet can look misleading.

Check it's history as far as you can.
Past MOT's can be checked here 
Check the MOT history of a vehicle - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Hidden finance and insurance writes offs etc here (about the cheapest check on the market) 
Total Car Check - The lowest cost car check in the UK - £1.99


Check the paperwork the dealer has, actually lay your eyes on it rather than just ask about it.
Look at the service history and check they have the logbook as some cars come to dealers via auctions and if they are repossessions, the dealer should apply for a new logbook first, but they don't always do this.

Get familiar with the make and model first.
There's loads of sites that review cars, that should give you a good idea, though bare in mind they usually review them new.
Owners forums a another source or just Google SEAT Arona problems, SEAT Arona issues and so on.

Check the car carefully.
How to check used cars is pretty much an opened ended subject, but spend lots of time going through the car.
Do it a few times and with another set of eyes can be helpful.

A few simple tips.
Look at the spare wheel well, is it a nice smooth circle (if it's been rear ended hard it'll never look smooth)

Check the front fixings for the grill/bumper when you lift the bonnet (missing and chewed up screwheads tell you the front end has been off)

Take off the oil filler cap and turn it over.
If there's creamy white gunk under the cap, water is getting into the engine and it's likely the head gasket is leaking.

Look at all four tyres, are they all odd makes or cheap budget brands.
If all are good brands that with healthy thread someone has probably cared for it.

Test drive.
Again lots to think about but my main things I look for on a test drive are:

Before you get set off, wiggle the steering wheel back and forth a little (inch each way) is there slack in the steering or does it feel tight.

Does it drive straight and brake straight (loosen your grip on the steering wheel a little see if it pulls when you start to brake)

Does the clutch bite high or low, does it feel smooth.

Does it clonk or knock over bumps, so steer for bumps rather than avoid them.

Does it clonk about when you suddenly take your foot off the accelerator.

Perform a tight turn each way, full lock of you can, does it click or knock as it's moves with the steering over to one side.

SaverRate

Personally once I have found I car I want to buy I do the following:

- Compare to other cars to make sure it is a good price for what your buying
- Do a V Check/HPI Check
- Check the MOT history on the DVLA website
- Check the service history (ask the dealership). 
- Check if its had cambelt replacement or when its due one (depending on age) 2018 SEAT should be due this year so should have been done already. If not ask them if they can get it done. 
- Test Drive it and check for any damage etc
- Tell the dealership of any work you want doing
- Check what warranty comes with the vehicle
- See if they will knock any money off the vehicle or add incentives e.g. they pay the vehicle tax for the first year etc. 

I do also like to buy cars from dealers offering atleast 12 months warranty (included in the cars price) but may not be possible depending on age of car. 

If your looking at SEAT if you can buy from a SEAT dealership you should get 24 months MOT cover, warranty and breakdown cover. 

born_again

Find a car user forum, read posts on car you are interested in & ask questions.

Ectophile

Once you've picked a make and model you like, search the internet to see if there are any specific models in the range that are known to be problematic.  Often it will be one specific engine that always fails.  Or a bad gearbox.  All the others may be fine.

Ectophile

Once you've picked a make and model you like, search the internet to see if there are any specific models in the range that are known to be problematic.  Often it will be one specific engine that always fails.  Or a bad gearbox.  All the others may be fine.

Goudy

Goudy said:

Does it clonk or knock over bumps, so steer for bumps rather than avoid them.

I am going to try and qualify that statement based on the car linked too.

That Arona is fitted with 18 inch wheels and very low profile tyres.
Seat are also known to fit quite firm suspension as well.

It's going to ride pretty rough, it'll likely crash about over bumps and I would guess make a racket due to tyre roar as you drive on even the smoothest roads. 

This doesn't mean there's a mechanical fault with the car, but if you want a smooth, plush quiet ride then perhaps look elsewhere, something with smaller wheels for a start.

qwerty2849949

Thanks everyone some good advice here. 

"It's going to ride pretty rough, it'll likely crash about over bumps and I would guess make a racket due to tyre roar as you drive on even the smoothest roads. " 

Can't be worse than my 2001 Focus I have now. Every time I go over a bump feels like the car is going to fall apart

Bigwheels1111

I looked at a Vectra estate in Blue in 2010 I think it was.

I checked the mot,log book,service stamps, looked under the car for dents from jacks, rust etc.

Tried every switch, light etc and all was mint.

Did a hpi check as well, all good.

Could not get to the price I wanted so said Im off for breakfast, will come back in an hour.

My friend and I came back for a second look and tried to get the price down again.

Something in my head was ringing and I could not figure out what it was.

On about the 10th look round the car I noticed the issue, The car was Blue with Grey door seal trims made of plastic, Drivers side Grey, Passenger said Blue like the car.

Agh damaged and repaired.

Then I noticed the passenger front light was clearer, ie new.

Lesson learnded.

Check,check,check and check again.

Iceweasel

Four month old thread.