Useful tips to remember when buying a used car

Buying a second-hand car can be exciting, especially if it is your first car. But make sure you curb your excitement for long enough to perform these simple checks that will ensure that your new purchase does not turn out to be a large and expensive lemon.

History Test

Make sure the vehicle is being sold by the registered owner, that the VIN matches the rest of the car, and that there are no serious faults with this make and model by going online to the DVLA website. In the case of buying a stolen car, you are not entitled to claim any of your money back unless you have paid by credit card. The DVLA can tell you if the vehicle in question has been declared SORN or written off in an accident, and also if it has been subject to any vehicle recalls. If in doubt, closely question the owner about the vehicle's history and log-book. You will quickly pick up if they are being shifty or evasive: a genuine owner wanting to sell quickly will have all the answers you need.

Thorough Examination

Make sure you see the vehicle that you are being sold and look at it closely. If you are not mechanically minded, take along someone who is, or hire a mechanic to give it the once-over. Another option is to go to a reliable used car dealer. KAP Motors is one such dealer. It has a wide variety of used cars from different brands like Volkswagen, Renault, Nissan Qashqai Tekna etc. You can visit their sShowroom in Brighton to book a car today! Also, make sure that visibility is good – so go along on a nice sunny day during daylight hours, not at night or when the weather is poor. If the vehicle is in a dark garage or covered, ask for it to be moved so you can see it clearly. Signs to be wary of include: excessive rusting, previous accident damage, leaks or oil or water, cracks in the tyre rubber, and general signs of being poorly treated and badly maintained.

Don't Forget the Tyres

Your tyres are important. There is about one handspan width of rubber from each tyre that will be supporting the whole weight of vehicle at any one time, and any flaws or issues in the tyres can result in that small patch of rubber giving way, resulting in an accident. Be extra vigilant with the tyres of any used car that you are thinking about buying: check the tread depth, the overall quality of the tyres and look for signs of uneven wear that could indicate that the tyres are not properly aligned. You do not want to pay a bargain price for a car only to go over budget by putting on a new set of tyres that you had not planned on purchasing.

Test Drive

Always take the vehicle for a test drive, and if at all possible, ensure that you are the one driving – if the vehicle is not insured for third parties to drive it, find an off-road space where you can safely listen to the motor, and feel how the car responds to your hands. Don't forget to check out the ignition, the gears, the brakes and generally get a feel for how the car drives.

It is never nice to be suspicious of people, but when your hard-earned money is at risk, caution is always advisable. If something seems too good to be true: it probably is, and if a car seller seems to be pushing you just a little too hard, resist and take a moment to work out why. It is always better to take your time over an important purchase like a car than to spend months (and a small fortune) in regret!