How to Check the Condition of a Vehicle Before a Purchase?
If you are a car buyer, it is important to check the condition of a vehicle to see if it is the same as described. Here are our top tips on how to do this.
Take the Vehicle for a Test Drive
Taking the car for a test drive is a good way to find out how the vehicle drives and whether it is in good condition and whether you enjoy driving the car. You should be able to take a car for a test drive before you purchase it. As it definitely is a good idea to try the car before you buy.
During the test drive, you will be able to notice if there is anything wrong with the way the car drives or if a component seems out of place.
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Ask to Open the Bonnet
Opening the bonnet of a vehicle is a good way to see whether all the components are in working order. Some people like to take a look at the bonnet before they purchase a car so they can take a look at the mechanics of the vehicle and see if parts need charging or replacing.
Do an Online Vehicle Check
If you know the registration number of the vehicle you are looking to buy, you can do an online search on the vehicle to see the history of the car, how many owners it’s had and whether it’s been involved in any car accidents or damages to the vehicle.
Ask to See the Service History
If you have shown your interest towards a car, it may be worth asking to view the car’s service history. Most people will only purchase a car that has proof of a full service history as this gives the buyer a good indication of whether the car has been well looked after or not.
Does the Car have a Valid MOT Certificate?
If the vehicle is over three years old, the car will need to have an MOT test every year. If you are looking to purchase a car which is over three years of age, one of your first questions should be to the seller is whether it has a valid MOT and when the MOT is going to run out.
Look out for Any Dashboard Lights that Stays on
One tip, to see that the engine light displays when you first turn the ignition on in the vehicle. Check that it comes on but it disappears when you turn the engine on. If the light doesn’t appear when you first turn the ignition on or it continues to be displayed when the engine is running, those are not good signs.
Request for the Vehicle to be Cleaned
If the paintwork of the car is very dirty, it can hide minor car scratches and scrapes. So, if you are wanting to take a further look into the quality of the vehicle’s paintwork, you can request for it to be cleaned so you can inspect the paintwork. Most professional sellers do wash their cars whilst they are trying to sell the car, so you will most likely not need to ask them to clean the car, however it may not be the case when buying a car privately.
Final Thoughts
We hope you have enjoyed our article on how to check the condition of a vehicle before a purchase. There are lots of ways to make sure the car you are buying is the right one for you. It is best to shop around for the best deal and to ask as many questions as you can, so you can be sure that you have made the right decision. Stay tuned for more car related articles!
Sell your car effortlessly and for good money!
Discover how much your car is worth! Get the instant offer by entering just two details about your car. You will be instantly matched with the right car buyer ready to pay cash for your car.
