How to perform used car checks
If you've ever bought a used car, you'll know how cost effective it can be compared to buying from the showroom. But have you ever considered that the used car you've set your heart on could be stolen?
If you buy a second-hand vehicle which is later proved to be stolen, you legally have no right to its ownership. This means it will be taken from you and you will not be able to get your money back.
Bearing this in mind, there are a few crucial checks you can carry out to make sure that your new run-about is completely legitimate. Before you even view a car you're interested in - try and obtain the registration number and perform a car history check. This will help you establish if the car is even worth a visit. We look at car checks and what they can do for you after our top 10 checklist.
What to check for
1. Be aware of sellers using mobile phone numbers. These are almost impossible to trace if something does go wrong.
2. Always arrange to see a vehicle in the light, at the seller's home if possible. Try not to go when it's raining, as this can hide a number of defects such as dents and scratches.
3. Ensure that the owner knows the vehicle and its features well.
4. Never buy a vehicle if the seller doesn't have the registration certificate.
5. In order to check that the registration certificate is official, hold it up to the light. You should be able to see the DVLA watermark through all layers of the paper.
6. Decide what make and model of car you want and find out what its VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) should be. Then check that this 17 character VIN matches the one on the registration certificate. You can usually find the VIN number on the car chassis, the windscreen or on the floor by the driver's seat
7. Check to see if the locks are different from one another. Changed locks could indicate that the vehicle has been broken into before.
8. Check for any signs of forced entry.
9. Check underneath the car, beneath the bonnet and the carpet for rust and any signs that the car has been in an accident. This could include signs of welding.
10. A 'Q' registration number shows that the age or identity of the car is not known.
Get a vehicle check
If you know which car you want to buy, then you can't do better research than getting a car history check. By investing in a car history check, you could save yourself huge amounts of money and hassle in the future.
The check will be able to tell you some essential information, including:
- If the car has been reported stolen
- If the car has been written off or scrapped previously
- The VIN number - you can then match this to the car itself.
- How many previous owners the car has had
- If the mileage has been altered
- How much the car is worth
- The full specification of the car
The car check will also provide protection against buying a vehicle that is subject to outstanding finance. It provides written proof that you're not liable, which both you and the seller should sign.
If you're thinking of buying a used car, make sure you get a car history check and feel confident that you're making the right decision.
When you've bought your car, make sure you get cheap car insurance by comparing quotes at uSwitch.com