A thorough visual inspection of a used car

For many, buying a car can be a daunting or traumatic experience. With over 35 years experience in buying and selling used cars, the Willow Tree Cars engineers have come across the good, the bad and the very ugly. Below are a few tips to help the uninitiated find a bargain rather than a dud.

Bodywork

First of all spend a few minutes checking out the car's bodywork. So what are you looking for? Firstly the obvious: dents, scratches and rust. After this look for signs of repair such as areas that have been resprayed, have inconsistent paint quality or bumps where body filler may have been used.

Be very vigilant and think through the implications of anything out of keeping with the original age of the car. For example, a respray or a new bumper could indicate that the car has been in an accident. If you suspect a bump then look for other signs of damage such as buckling underneath the car, crumpled panels in the boot or near the engine etc.

While 'buyer beware' is the premise for vehicle purchase, if you see anything suspicious then ask the owner about it. Contractually they are duty bound to honest any questions honestly, but don't expect them to volunteer it unless you ask!

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Engine

With the modern engine there is often a lot less to see and check that in older models. But even for those who know little about cars there are still some simple tell tale signs to look for such as oil and water leaks, corrosion and worn hoses. Open the bonnet when the engine is running and listen for rattles, knocks or worse. Also check around the back when it is running to ensure that there is not too much smoke billowing out or that the exhaust pipe itself is not overly rusty.

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Wheels and tyres

For many people checking a cars tyres appears to consist of giving them a kick - sadly this isn't a very good guide to a tyres roadworthyness! So instead take a close look at the wheel rims and the wheel trims and see whether they have been damaged by hitting kerbs etc.

Take a close look at the tyre wear... see if there has been any uneven wear, uneven depth of tread or too little tread. Also check the sidewalls for any damage.

While you are close to the wheels take a look at the brakes if visible looking for worn or scrathed brake discs.

Finally, don't forget to check the spare tyre!

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Windscreen and windows

The glass is probably the easiest thing to check. Look for scratches, chips and marks. Check that windows open and close correctly and that there is no sign of leaky seals. And, if the windows have registration numbers etched on them, that they are the same as the cars registration.

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Electrics

Modern car electrics are very complicated and to do a thorough test requires computer based diagnostics through a garage. However, there are a number of basic checks you can make including:

• Checking all the lights works (headlights, rear lights, reversing, indicators, fog, hazard)
• Don't forget the interior light
• Windscreen wipers
• Electric windows and mirrors
• Heating, ventilation and air conditioning
• Audio systems such as radio and CD
• Alarm

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Car interior

The interior not only shows how well a vehicle has been looked after, it also gives a few hints about its true age and mileage. So look at the pedal rubbers and footwell and compare there wear to the mileage, is there anything amiss? Also look at the door trim, seating upholstery, fascia's, roof lining and carpeting for damage or signs of excessive wears and tears.

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Summary and a final word of advice

The above aims to provide you with a list of some of the basic checks to make but the list is not exhaustive. So if you are in any doubt please have the car inspected by a professional.

As a final piece of advice, please view several examples before you hand over any of your hard earned money. After you have seen a slection of cars, you will be in a much better position to be able to rate their condition and price more accurately.

Willow Tree Cars - quality used cars

At Willow Tree Cars we have been buying and selling cars for over 35 years. Every car is checked over by our team of expert, qualified engineers before they are even made available to you. Each comes with a service, MOT and 12 months guarantee.... so we have done everything to take the risk and stres out of your new purchase. Have a look at our current used car sales list now.

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