| For the average individual who knows little about | | | | drive. |
| cars or mechanics, buying a used car can be a | | | | Once you have established the car looks to be |
| worrying experience. Buying a car is often one of | | | | cosmetically genuine and that the condition is as |
| the biggest purchases we make in our lives and | | | | you would expect for the cars age start to look |
| the nagging doubt of whether or not you are | | | | at the mechanics of the car. Check the oil on the |
| about to buy a lemon always makes buying a | | | | dipstick. Are there bubbles in the oil? If there are |
| used car difficult. So how do you go about | | | | bubbles this is a sure sign of water in the oil and |
| choosing a car that is unlikely to be a lemon? | | | | likely to result in expensive repair. Check the |
| If you have found a "bargain" or a car you like | | | | water filler. Is there a white residue on the cap or |
| the look of go check it out. At this stage it is | | | | visible in the filler area. This is an expensive sign of |
| always useful to take someone who knows | | | | oil in the water. Check the oil filter (easy to spot, |
| something about cars with you if you can. If you | | | | generally looks like a brightly painted tin can |
| haven't got anyone whose opinion you can trust | | | | sticking out of the side of the engine) does it look |
| then you are going to have to use your own | | | | to be recently fitted or like it has been on for |
| instincts. | | | | some time. This is a standard part that is replaced |
| Check for obvious accident damage. Accident | | | | at service and can indicate how the owner has |
| damaged cars can be spotted by little tell tail | | | | been treating the car. |
| signs. Look for signs of overspray to panels, | | | | Start the motor up. Does the engine rattle or |
| bumpers and fittings, look for areas of paintwork | | | | have a pronounced ticking noise or does it sound |
| that are inconsistent with the general condition of | | | | healthy? Is the exhaust loud or well silenced you |
| the car (these may indicate filled dents, filled | | | | don't need to be paying for a new exhaust |
| rotten patches) and check that all the tyres are | | | | system. Once the engine has warmed go look at |
| wearing evenly (uneven wear may indicate the | | | | the exhaust. Are there large quantities of smoke, |
| car isn't running straight and true as a result of a | | | | black or white being omitted? Both can indicate |
| crash or poorly executed accident repair). | | | | expensive faults. At this stage check to make |
| If you are happy there are no obvious clues to | | | | sure headlamps, indicator and brake lights work. |
| suggest accident damage check the general | | | | If all seems fine the next step is a test drive. |
| condition of the car for wear. Is the amount of | | | | Check the steering. Is it light or vague, neither is a |
| wear consistent with the mileage of the car? | | | | good sign. Does the wheel have a large amount |
| Worn foot mats, shiny steering wheels and worn | | | | of play in it? Steering is important for clear safety |
| damaged driver seats are not what you would | | | | reasons. The steering should be responsive and |
| expect to find on a low mileage car. | | | | direct. Neither to heavy nor light. |
| Does the car have missing interior fittings or | | | | Check the brakes. Do they inspire confidence? |
| scratched paint work? Would you expect a car | | | | They should pull the car firmly to a stop in a |
| you owned from new for a number of years to | | | | straight line without fading or feeling as if they are |
| have accrued a similar amount of damage? Make | | | | about to run out. Find a car park or space where |
| a mental note of the amount of wear for | | | | you can turn the car on full lock in both directions. |
| bargaining purposes should you decide to buy the | | | | Do the front wheels grind or shriek? This could |
| car. | | | | indicate expensive wheel bearing problems. |
| Check the vehicle for rot in the doorways and | | | | If you do not come across these problems then |
| wheel arches. A little rot can become a serious | | | | it is fair to say you have a solid used car that is |
| costly problem after as little as one year. A lot of | | | | unlikely to be a lemon. Now if you can recall all the |
| rot, especially to structural areas of the car | | | | little details you spotted you can use these points |
| where panels and sections of the car come | | | | to bargain a good price and buy the used car with |
| together could indicate the car is not safe to | | | | the confidence that you have avoided a lemon. |