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Checklist for buying a second-hand car in Derby

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Buying a Car in Derby - Used car inspections and checks

 

 

 

When buying a vehicle second-hand you need to check the general condition of the car. If it has not been well looked after you may pay for it later on.

Things to look out for are:

•1. Check the tyre condition. Look out for tread depth and side-wall damage. If a tyre has uneven wear, it could be a sign that the wheels are not aligned correctly.

•2. The steering wheel should turn smoothly from lock to lock without any unusual noise or vibration.

•3. The gears should engage easily and smoothly without any grinding with the clutch fully depressed. A weak or extremely stiff clutch pedal could be a sign of worn components.

•4. The engine should idle smoothly and rev evenly. Check the oil. If you find a brown sludge, don’t part with your money – the engine is damaged and will need expensive repairs.

•5 If the exhaust produces a lot of blue smoke it is usually a sign of excessive internal engine wear.

•6. Check the body work and underside of the car for rust. Look at the exhaust system, does it look like it needs replacing soon?

•7. Look under the bonnet for signs of rust and flaking paint around the panel joints at the front of the car. This could denote repairs after crash damage.

•8. Does the wear on the interior of the car match the mileage on the clock? A low-mileage car with very worn seats and pedals could have been clocked.

•9. Look down the side of the car to see if all the panels and bodywork line up smoothly. Uneven panels or gaps between panels could be a sign of crash repairs.

•10. When on a test drive, the brakes should feel responsive and provide adequate stopping power when travelling at speed.

•11. Check all items work correctly, including electric components. including windows, sunroofs, lights etc.


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