What to check before buying a used vehicle
By E-Biz Vehicle Services ·
Most costly used-car surprises are visible before you buy, if you know where to look. Work through this checklist in daylight, unhurried, with the engine cold when you arrive.
Bodywork and corrosion
Coastal humidity and salt spray accelerate rust. Check sills, wheel arches, door bottoms, the boot floor under the mat, and the subframe. Fresh underseal in patches can hide repairs, so ask what was done and when.
Engine, cooling and air conditioning
Start the engine from cold and watch for smoke, ticking or a rough idle. Check coolant condition and look for oil residue in the expansion tank. Air conditioning works hard here year-round, so confirm it cools properly at idle, not only at speed.
Tyres, brakes and suspension
Uneven wear points at alignment or suspension problems. Check the date code on each tyre; old tyres perish even with tread remaining. On the drive, listen for knocks over rough surfaces and feel whether the car tracks straight under braking.
History and documentation
Ask for service records, receipts for major work, and confirmation that registration details match. A vehicle with a thin history is not automatically bad, but it should be priced accordingly.
Ask the right questions
Direct questions save time and reveal a lot about how a vehicle was kept.
- How long have you owned it, and why are you selling?
- Has it ever been in an accident or had panel work?
- When were the belts, fluids and brakes last done?
- Is anything due or known to need attention?
- May I take it for an independent inspection?