The used car market in the UK has experienced unique growth in recent months, due to a combination of vehicle shortages and proposed legislation, which saw more people interested in buying used than ever before. Used cars can be an inexpensive and accessible way to get your own vehicle, but also a risky one; used cars come with an increased risk of breakdown or failure, which can cost more in the long run.
There are many ways in which you can obtain a used car, and there will be a wide range of used cars for sale near you – but choosing between them, and choosing safely, can be difficult. What should you look out for before you buy a used car?
Documents and Legal Information
If you’re interested in purchasing a used car, your first concern should be to verify its legality and condition. There are three key ways in which you should do this, which will ensure the car you are viewing is exactly as advertised and legally sound.
Firstly, every car for sale should have a V5C document provided alongside. This document proves the car’s model, identifying information and ownership. If any information on this document doesn’t match with the car or owner, you should not proceed.
You should also be able to view the car’s complete service and ownership history, which will detail to you any prior incidents or repairs it may have undergone. Information in this document could be pertinent to the future reliability of the car; inability to see a complete service history imposes significant risk on your purchase.
Lastly, you can check online to see if the vehicle has an MOT certificate. This is a simple check, and to ensure the car is road-legal and as described in the listing.
Mileage
Depreciation is a key concern for those buying cars new. Cars lose value the moment they leave the showroom floor, representing an immediate loss of investment – but in the long term, it is mileage that can have the most significant effect on car depreciation.
This is an important factor to think about for a number of reasons – and there is no clear-cut answer for every car hunter. The less a car has travelled, the more reliable it may be owing to minimal engine wear. Its value will hence be higher – but this value will also depreciate as you use the car. Cars with a lot of mileage will be more unreliable, but also cheaper. They will also largely retain their value if maintained properly, though the costs of maintenance may outstrip any savings made.
The Test Drive
No matter how much you learn about a car before you buy it, you will not know the whole story unless you take it for a test drive. Driving the car can reveal any hidden ‘gremlins’ in the engine or any potential repairs that may be required. Listen out for unusual engine noises, and pay attention to the accelerator and brakes – do either feel sluggish?
