Driving a Hard Bargain

As a man there seems to be some expectations on you to understand (or even care about) cars. That moment you walk into a car showroom, you’re expected to look under the bonnet, kick the tyres and generally know exactly what it is that you’re looking for.

For many of us though, the truth of the matter is that as long as it goes, looks ok and is reliable we don’t really care about the engine size or wheel trim, much less understand everything that goes on under the hood.

There are times though, when you’re buying second hand for example, that a little knowledge can really help you out so in this blog we’re taking a look at a few of the basics you’re going to want to get right to make sure your bargain doesn’t turn into a nightmare.

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Exteriors

Whether you’ve spotted your potential ride online at Hilton car supermarket or in the selling pages of your local newspaper, when you’re buying a used vehicle it pays to have a little know-how. In this case you’re going to start with the exterior of the vehicle.

Take some time to walk around the car and feel your way along the panels. You’re looking for dents that have been beaten out and anything that feels like it may have been filled in. There should be some visual clues as well, such as a change in paint tone and a rougher patch where the filler has been sanded down and so on.

If you do find anything that concerns you, ask the seller for the full history of the car, including any accidents.

Interior

Before you head under the hood you’ll want to check that everything works ok inside and this will mainly involve testing the electrics. Make sure the windows, radio, stereo, signalling and anything else you see works well and that there are no warning lights when you switch the engine on.

You should also make a note of the mileage and see if that stacks up against the age of the car.

Engine

If you’re not an expert, there’s no way you can know everything but there are a couple of things to look for. First check the hoses and belts for wear and tear and ask if and when the cam belt was last replaced. Check the lid of the oil filler lid for sludge as this can indicate poor performance. You’ll also want to make sure that the vehicle identification number on the engine matches the documents. 

Lastly, take the car out for a test drive paying particular attention to the clutch and overall performance of the car. Does the car pull to the left or the right? This might indicate that the tracking is off. 

Make sure to do a check on the car online to make sure there’s no history of accidents or write offs and have the seller produce all the relevant paperwork before you sign on the dotted line. If you’re unsure about the vehicle it’s always a good idea to pay for a mechanic to give it a once over before you buy.

This is a collaborative post.