Used car buying: half of drivers ignore these essential checks
Only half of used car buyers carry out basic checks on the car they are considering, including checking its MOT status.
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Hide AdA new survey has found that millions of motorists could be leaving themselves open to big garage bills by failing to even scratch the surface of a potential purchase’s history.
The poll of more than 15,000 drivers by AA Cars found that only 54% bothered to check the MOT paperwork and service history before buying a used car and even fewer bothered to check a car’s finance and insurance status.
A car’s MOT history can expose past issues or potential problems that a seller is keen to downplay and is a useful tool in negotiating a better price. Likewise, a full service history provides a record of key work carried out and gives an indication of how well a car has been cared for.
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Hide AdFailing to check either or both of these could lead to nasty surprises further down the road.
Deeper vehicle history checks can also reveal any outstanding finance on a vehicle as well as exposing whether it has been involved in an accident or even written off by insurers, yet only a third of drivers (36%) said they had conducted such a check.
AA Cars’ CEO James Fairclough commented: “A car is an expensive purchase, but many drivers are parting with their money without carrying out even basic checks.
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Hide Ad“Understandably, considering all the recommended checks, most people do not feel very confident about their ability to judge a car’s condition before they drive away.”
The survey also found most drivers didn’t bother carrying out basic physical checks, with only around 40% checking components such as lights, windscreen wipers and tyres were in good working condition. Tyres in a bad condition can present an immediate safety threat, and while changing a headlight in an older car may be fairly straightforward modern cars often feature complex sealed units that are costly and difficult to repair.
Mr Fairclough added: “You should always check the car’s MOT certificates and its full service history; together these documents will reveal how well the car has been maintained.
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Hide Ad“Some other checks, such as ensuring windscreen wipers and lights are working properly, are easy for drivers to carry out.
“However, we always recommend drivers book a professional vehicle inspection before parting with their money. Other ways to protect yourself include buying from a dealer rather than a private seller, which gives consumers protection under the Consumer Rights Act. Getting a warranty is another way to protect yourself from any potential costly repairs in the future.”
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