Thousands of drivers are looking to the used car market for their next vehicle in a bid to save money.
This huge demand is reflected in new search data, which shows that searches for ‘used car dealer near me’ have surged by a massive 235% in just three months.
1. Monitor the mileage
Mileage is a key indicator of a car’s life, but a low number doesn’t always mean a good deal. A car with high mileage that has been meticulously serviced can be a far better buy than a low-mileage model that’s been neglected.
Use the service history to understand the story behind the numbers. Getting this right means you could bag a bargain and avoid a vehicle plagued with expensive wear-and-tear issues.
2. Check the engine and tyres
You don’t need to be a certified mechanic to know whether a used car is worth the asking price, it’s just a case of making some simple checks before purchasing.
First, you want to check the engine for any leaks, as well as the oil level and condition of the head gasket.
Crucially, inspect the tyres. The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm, and anything less could be a serious mistake. Driving with illegal tyres can land you with a crippling fine of up to £2,500 and three penalty points per tyre.
Keep in mind that if you are shopping in a car dealership showroom, all these checks should already be done for you, and you should be offered a test drive as standard.
3. Check a car’s history
You need to know all the facts before you can make a purchase. That’s why it’s key to find everything out about the car you are looking at.
Check online and ask the dealer if the car has a valid MOT and service, and when it will next need one – if it’s due for an MOT in the next month or so, it is fair to request that the seller covers the cost. Driving without an MOT can result in a fine of up to £1,000.
However, don’t just take a valid MOT as confirmation that the car is well-maintained and in good condition. It’s essential to ask the seller to share the car’s full-service history. You should watch out for these categories below, which should be labelled on any used car sale.
- Cat A – Car has suffered severe structural damage and cannot be repaired
- Cat B – Car cannot be repaired, but it can be stripped for parts to use on other cars
- Cat S – Structural damage that can be repaired
- Cat N – Non-structural damage that can be repaired
4. Scan over the bodywork
Of course, the mechanics of a car are most important, but a car’s exterior does offer an indication of its condition.
Check for mismatched paint colours or uneven panel gaps, which suggest a past accident. While a few scratches can be a useful bargaining tool to knock hundreds off the price.
It goes without saying that if the car’s exterior condition is significantly different to how it has been advertised, this is a warning sign that the seller may not be entirely trustworthy.
5. Check the smaller details
Some things may seem minor, but these are often the most important factors that should affect your decision when buying a used car.
Things like a spare key, a locking wheel nut and foot mats are good indicators of how much a car has been cared for.
Not only is having a spare key and locking wheel nut convenient, it makes selling a car much easier down the line as buyers often want the assurance of a spare, and don’t want to foot the costly bill of getting a replica.
Car foot mats are also a good thing to note and compare to mileage and overall wear and tear of a vehicle. Foot mats are the most heavily used so if you notice that a low-mileage car has worn foot mats, something is probably not right.
