Buying a second hand car

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Buying a second hand car

Posted On : Jul-09-2009 | seen (1256) times | Article Word Count : 423 |

If you are looking to buy a used car, you should check the condition of the vehicle thoroughly before committing to the purchase, as a lack of thoroughness now could lead to a lot of expensive repairs further down the line. Here are some of the things to look out for.

Firstly, you should have a good look at the interior of the car. Are the seats wet, and if so, is there a leak somewhere? Also, you should check whether all the controls, switches, displays, and lights work by checking each one individually.

1. The bodywork of the car should be your next port of call. Check for scratches, rust and dents, particularly on the lower panels, which are the areas most vulnerable to damage of this type. Never check out a car in the dark, or in wet weather, as this may cause you to miss crucial details.

2. Look out for signs of extra layers of paint, or areas where the finish is of a different consistency, as this could be a sign that the vehicle has been involved in an accident. Also check the metalwork on the inside of the boot and bonnet for signs of damage and/or shoddy repair work.

3. Now it is time to take a look under the bonnet at the engine. Check the oil and coolant levels, as this can indicate how well the car has been looked after in the recent past.The coolant should be brightly coloured and clean, and the engine itself should be free of rust.

4. Turn on the engine and let it warm up for a while, so that you can check whether smoke is coming out of the exhaust, as this could point to a mechanical problem.

5. If the car seems in good enough condition up to this point, then you might want to take it for a test drive. Check that the steering, brakes, and gear mechanism are smooth and responsive, and that the car does not veer to one side when you loosen your grip on the wheel.

Although this set of checks will certainly suffice for a cheaper car, if you are spending a bit more money then it could be worth your while having the car checked over by a qualified, independent mechanic to make sure all is well before you splash the cash. While this may cost a couple of hundred pounds, it could end up saving you substantially more in future repair bills.

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<h1>Buying a second hand car </h1> Author: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/profile_Foster Carr.aspx'>Foster Carr</a> If you are looking to buy a used car, you should check the condition of the vehicle thoroughly before committing to the purchase, as a lack of thoroughness now could lead to a lot of expensive repairs further down the line. Here are some of the things to look out for.

Firstly, you should have a good look at the interior of the car. Are the seats wet, and if so, is there a leak somewhere? Also, you should check whether all the controls, switches, displays, and lights work by checking each one individually.

1. The bodywork of the car should be your next port of call. Check for scratches, rust and dents, particularly on the lower panels, which are the areas most vulnerable to damage of this type. Never check out a car in the dark, or in wet weather, as this may cause you to miss crucial details.

2. Look out for signs of extra layers of paint, or areas where the finish is of a different consistency, as this could be a sign that the vehicle has been involved in an accident. Also check the metalwork on the inside of the boot and bonnet for signs of damage and/or shoddy repair work.

3. Now it is time to take a look under the bonnet at the engine. Check the oil and coolant levels, as this can indicate how well the car has been looked after in the recent past.The coolant should be brightly coloured and clean, and the engine itself should be free of rust.

4. Turn on the engine and let it warm up for a while, so that you can check whether smoke is coming out of the exhaust, as this could point to a mechanical problem.

5. If the car seems in good enough condition up to this point, then you might want to take it for a test drive. Check that the steering, brakes, and gear mechanism are smooth and responsive, and that the car does not veer to one side when you loosen your grip on the wheel.

Although this set of checks will certainly suffice for a cheaper car, if you are spending a bit more money then it could be worth your while having the car checked over by a qualified, independent mechanic to make sure all is well before you splash the cash. While this may cost a couple of hundred pounds, it could end up saving you substantially more in future repair bills. About the Author: 
Come to Kwik Fit Insurance for a <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.kwik-fitinsurance.com/">car insurance</a> quote and we’ll get you one in double-quick time.

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Come to Kwik Fit Insurance for a car insurance quote and we’ll get you one in double-quick time.

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