Buying secondhand cars, A checklist

dnme

I have put together the attached document as a checklist for buying second hand cars. Some may find it useful, some may find it annoying. If anyone can suggest additions to it or indeed deletions from it, I'd be grateful.

daveharnett

I would also include wheel type and condition, spare wheel (very easy to overlook), toolkit, interior condition, AC, Tax, Manual, Service Booklet, radio documentation/codes.

I would also question "Has the car ever been crashed/flooded?", "Has the car had any repairs/work other than routine maintenance?"

dnme

daveharnett wrote: »

I would also include wheel type and condition, spare wheel (very easy to overlook), toolkit, interior condition, AC, Tax, Manual, Service Booklet, radio documentation/codes.

I would also question "Has the car ever been crashed/flooded?", "Has the car had any repairs/work other than routine maintenance?"

I've updated it based on your post Dave

Mr Benevolent

I like it. Needs to be more detailed though, for example:

Braking:

Does the ABS work? (Test above 30mph and not below 15mph)
Do any wheels lock?
Does it pull to one side on braking?
Is there any judder while braking? (excluding the ABS test)
Does the pedal sink to the floor?
Is the pedal soft or need pumping?
Any unusual noises while braking?
Does the handbrake hold the car on an incline?

Ok, that makes for a very long document, but a lot of people won't recognise any of the above as a problem.

dnme

Confab wrote: »

I like it. Needs to be more detailed though, for example:

Braking:

Does the ABS work? (Test above 30mph and not below 15mph)
Do any wheels lock?
Does it pull to one side on braking?
Is there any judder while braking?
Does the pedal sink to the floor?
Is the pedal soft or need pumping?
Any unusual noises while braking?

Ok, that makes for a very long document, but a lot of people won't recognise any of the above as a problem.

Many thanks, I hope to keep it to one sheet and have it act as a reminder for general checks using headings. Thus, the Brake heading is already included. Perhaps people who want to get into detail, can use it as a prompt for further investigation with their own sub-lists

dnme

Updated again, and here is one of the better videos I've found on the subject. He does a thorough check and raises some very good points especially towards the end.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0hIl7s51-k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0hIl7s51-k

Mr Benevolent

Brilliant video, well worth watching.

cascade35

This would make a good sticky, see a lot of people asking for advice on buying second hand cars here.
Well done.

dnme

Thanks cascade, I'm going to view a car at 3pm today, so I'll put the list through its paces then. I am also bringing a mechanic with me this time.

Seweryn

dnme wrote: »

I have put together the attached document as a checklist for buying second hand cars. Some may find it useful, some may find it annoying. If anyone can suggest additions to it or indeed deletions from it, I'd be grateful.

It is a good and useful list. I would add as a priority for me:
- any modifications to any mechanical or electrical equipment?
- mobile phone holder ever fitted? (I hate these awful things screwed into the dashboard),
- alarm system or immobiliser fitted after the car left the factory?
- additional speakers or car audio modifications?
- other modifications?

Jimmy Bottlehead

Any chance of making this a Sticky? Was going through the pages and search fuction before I found this, was kinda shocked a "Used Car FAQ/Guide" wasn't already in the stickies!