The inside of the car is just as important as the outside and there are a few checks you should carry out yourself prior to making a decision whether or not to purchase a car. Here is a list of what you should be looking for:
Checking that the mileage on the odometer matches what is advertised, and is in line with the vehicle's logbook, is an absolute must. Sometimes these can be tampered with so that on first look the car appears to have a surprisingly low mileage.
- If you think there may have been some tampering but are unsure, look at the seats and steering wheel. If the car does have a high mileage these should be worn, and the steering wheel itself will be worn and shiny.
- The VIN number which can be found on a metal strip either under the carpet on the driver's side, under the bonnet, or at the base of the windscreen. This needs to match what is recorded in the logbook. If you believe this has been tampered with then the seller is trying to hide something and it is best to look for another vehicle.
- Test everything on the inside to make sure it works. Test the windows, stereo, indicators, lights, hazard light, horn, air conditioning, windscreen wipers, bonnet release, boot release, windscreen washer jets. So essentially everything, as you need to be sure it all works!
- Check for any damage to the steering column and ignition; if there is, it could indicate that the car has been stolen in the past.
- Finally check to see if there is any damage to the passenger's side dashboard and steering wheel, and check for any fraying of the seatbelts. This could indicate that the car has been in a crash.
With the interior checked it's time to move on to the exterior, and under the bonnet. Once all of these have been done and the car is exactly what is being advertised it's time to look at the paperwork.
Now you know what to look for, you need to find the best places to look. www.motors.co.uk have a wide selection of cars such as a used mini or used corsa.