Helpful tips on buying a used car or van

The weekend sure rolled around quickly this week and it couldn’t come soon enough for me. I am excited to be looking for a quality second hand car this weekend. I will have a male friend helping me navigate the minefield that can sometimes blight the used car buying experience. I know a good deal about what I am looking at and looking for, but a second opinion from a mate who knows all about the mechanics of autos will be a lifesaver.

The first step is to remember to do your homework before investing in a new van or car, so I began to refresh my knowledge by researching a bit more about what to look out for when choosing the right used car. I was pleased to read the latest motoring tips from driver training specialist IAM Drive & Survive this week.  Head of training, Simon Elstow, is advising on just the topic I need; buying a used car. I will be taking his advice on board and thought I would be a good idea to share it with you too.  Please see the handy tips from specialist IAM Drive & Survive below:

• Do your research. The RAC and usedcarexpert.com both offer a vehicle database which will have a report on “what to look for” for when you inspect the car. Check the mileage and MOT history at gov.uk/check-mot-status.


• Blown turbo chargers, snapped timing chains, smoking engines – all these and more can result from delaying an oil change or using the wrong oil. Ask for the service history and take time to look through it. If a service is due, negotiate on the price, but if the history’s missing, walk away.


• Dashboard lights check all the systems such as ABS and stability control. Make sure they all light up when you turn on the ignition and go out when you start the engine. Check the handbook if you’re not sure you’ve seen them all.


• After starting the engine, listen carefully for the first few seconds – any knocks or rattles are bad signs.  Grey exhaust smoke is a sign of a worn engine – check it after your test drive when the engine is hot.


• As well as checking the suspension by listening for rattles or clunks over rough roads, try stopping at different rates – gently and rapidly. The engine should never stall as the car stops and the revs shouldn’t drop very low and then pick up to the right idle speed.


• Reject a car if you have any concerns. Cars are too often an emotional rather than a rational choice. If in doubt, sleep on it and make a decision in the morning. 

Elstow said: “Getting a new car, whether it’s brand new or new to you, is an exciting time. It’s also an expensive time, so the last thing you want is to pick a dud.

“Do your preparations before you go so you know what you’re looking for. If you’re not confident take a friend, get it checked at a garage, or ultimately walk away.”

Thanks to the UK’s leading road safety charity, the Institute of Advanced Motorists, for the great advice. I found a few more tips online that I will be adding to my used car buying checklist.

Aside from the mechanical functions, other important things to watch out for are:

Clocking - the illegal practice of winding back the odometer on a high–mileage car to increase its apparent value and asking price.

Car cloning – a car is given the identity of another by replacing the number plates.

Insist on seeing the V5C vehicle registration document - this shows the registered keeper and not the legal owner. Make sure that the seller is the registered keeper. You should do a vehicle data check to make sure the car or van you are buying hasn’t been reported as stolen or has outstanding finance debt.

Please, please do not hand over money to someone you don't know for a vehicle you've not seen. And remember, if the deal looks too good to be true then it most likely is and it would better to look elsewhere.

After getting clued up on some of the potential pitfalls to avoid, I feel ready to buy a winner. Wish me luck.