| - Do your homework. Read up about the model | | | | she says. Then, when you get home, get on the |
| of car you're thinking about. Will it perform as you | | | | Internet and check out the information provided |
| will want? Be aware of any known mechanical | | | | with RAC Vehicle Status Check. Go to the RAC' |
| problems with that particular model and | | | | web site. Click on "Car Buying" and then "Vehicle |
| remember to check them out when you take it | | | | Status Checks". The Status Check will cost you |
| for a test drive (see tip 15). | | | | £24.99 but it will confirm whether the car |
| - Look up the current second hand values for the | | | | has outstanding finance. Best to be safe - without |
| car. Try starting at car .com. Also get some of | | | | this Check you could find out that a finance |
| the second hand car magazines and your local | | | | company actually has a prior title to the car. |
| paper. Check out the prices being asked for | | | | - Carefully examine the car in good daylight. Look |
| similar cars. | | | | carefully for signs of repairs and accident damage. |
| - Car Insurance is always a major expense. How | | | | If you have followed our advice and obtained a |
| much will that car cost you to insure? It's easy to | | | | Vehicle Status Check, that Check will also notify |
| find out on the Internet - get a few quotes. It'll | | | | you if the car has previously been "written off". |
| just take you ten minutes. | | | | - Try to ensure that the car hasn't been |
| - Also check out the car's other running costs. | | | | "clocked". (Clocked means that the mileometer |
| We're talking about fuel consumption, servicing | | | | has been wound back to show a lower mileage.) |
| and repair bills. Again car .com can help. Ensure | | | | The average annual mileage is around 12,000. Be |
| you can afford to run the car! | | | | wary if the wear and tear on the car looks |
| - When you see the car insist on seeing its | | | | greater than you would expect from the mileage. |
| registration documents and, if the car is more | | | | The wear on the driver's pedals is usually a give |
| than 3 years old, its MOT certificate. The | | | | away. Then ask when the tyres were last |
| registration documents will also show the cars' | | | | replaced. Does the wear on the tyres look about |
| VIN number. Carefully check that the documents | | | | right? |
| tally. | | | | - Insist on test-driving the car for at least 10/15 |
| - Always ensure that the person selling the car | | | | miles. You need to get the car fully warmed up |
| does actually own it. | | | | and drive it in varying conditions. Incidentally, don't |
| - And always see the car at the seller's own | | | | forget to ensure you are insured to drive it! Don't |
| home or business premises. Then ensure that the | | | | assume that your own insurance policy will cover |
| address on the Registration Document is at the | | | | you for driving someone else's car. Check your |
| same as the address - if not ask why. You should | | | | policy before you leave home. If the seller claims |
| be suspicious. | | | | that his insurance covers you, ask to see his |
| - Examine the Road Tax disc. Is it still valid? Does | | | | policy - a bit of a pain but better safe than sorry! |
| the vehicle registration number on the disc match | | | | - Has the car ticked all the boxes so far? Then |
| the Registration Document and the number on its | | | | spend some more money get it professionally |
| number plate? | | | | inspected. |
| - Ask to view the cars' Servicing Record. Usually, | | | | - Never pay any money until you have seen the |
| this will also show the cars' VIN number and | | | | results of the RAC Vehicle Status Check. And |
| details of the first owner. If the Service record is | | | | even then, avoid paying any money until the car |
| not available, has the owner kept any of the | | | | is handed over to you complete with its |
| service or repair bills? Ask to see them. | | | | Documents and tax disc. Always get a written |
| - Now look under the bonnet and look for the | | | | receipt for any money you pay and ensure that it |
| VIN Number (it could also be on a plate on the | | | | includes the sellers name and address. |
| inside edge of one of the front doors). Compare | | | | - Last of all, make sure you're insured from the |
| the VIN number with the number on the | | | | moment you drive the car away. The Police can |
| Registration Document and check that the | | | | now impound, and ultimately scrap, your car if |
| number stamped on the car has not been | | | | you're driving it without insurance or road tax! If |
| interfered with. This will help to ensure that the | | | | the car has not got Road Tax disc, call in at the |
| car hasn't had its identity changed. | | | | Post Office on the way home and get one. You'll |
| - It's best to take a friend with you who knows' | | | | need to show them a valid insurance cover note |
| about cars - not only to look at the car but also | | | | for the car and the cars up to date MOT |
| to be a witness for what is said and anything that | | | | Certificate. |
| is agreed. | | | | If you've followed all these steps you'll have done |
| - Don't pay for a car on your first visit and try | | | | just about everything possible to ensure the car is |
| not to be pushed into putting down a deposit. You | | | | legally yours at the right price, and you haven't |
| need to carry out some checks before you part | | | | bought a scrapper! |
| with any money (see 17 below). | | | | Michael writes for Brokers Online who offer critical |
| - Ask the owner whether the car is subject to | | | | illness cover and most UK financial services |
| any outstanding finance. Take notes of what he | | | | including car insurance quotes. |