The used car market has exploded this year, as microchip shortages have all but stalled the production of new vehicles. For some, buying used can be off-putting, by virtue of being an unknown quantity. But knowing what you should be checking is half the battle. With that in mind, here are some common checks you should make before buying.
Vehicle History and Coverage
You can discover a lot about any car you’re preparing to buy without even lifting the bonnet, by carrying out a check of the vehicle’s service history. A full service history should have been kept by the previous owners, indicating if it’s suffered any accidents or had any major repair work done – and if any issues are likely to crop up in the future. Online marketplaces like minnesota used cars list a breakdown of such issues on cars for sale. Alongside looking at the car’s history, you’ll also want to look at the insurance coverage available to you, to ensure your new investment will be adequately protected on the road.
Fluids
Of course, any checks of a used vehicle should not stop with the service manual. Of the first things you should check are the vehicle’s fluids: oil, brake fluid, and coolant. Not only do they represent an additional cost to fill if they are found to be low, but they can also reveal something about the car’s treatment, and any potential issues. For example, if the oil old or near-empty, the engine might have been running relatively unlubricated – leading to additional stress and a reduced lifespan.
Lights and Electrics
The electrics in a vehicle can be the trickiest to fix, and you might find yourself dodging a bullet if you find an electrical issue before you go ahead on a used car purchase. For starters, if any lights or headlamps are out, verify whether or not the bulb needs replacing (and make sure it’s replaced before you drive it away). If the bulb is not the source of the issue, then there is a wider electrical problem. Checking to see that everything functions, from the electric windows to the dashboard displays.
Tyres
Lastly, tyres might not seem particularly important when checking over a used car, but they represent a significant investment – especially if they are well-worn. A new full set of tyres could cost up to £500 with install and balancing. The “20p test” is a quick and useful way to check over your tyres, and see if their tread is still above the legal minimum of 1.6mm. The outer band of a 20p piece is 1.6mm, so if you insert a 20p into the tread of your tyre and you can see the band peeking out over the rubber, you know that your tyres are due to be replaced.