Buying a used car is one of the biggest decisions many people will make in a given year. However, if you accidentally find the wrong vehicle, this decision may end up costing you far more than you may have ever realised.
Have you ever wondered about the key things you should be looking at as part of your car check? It’s easy to overlook this in many cases, since checking your car isn’t always straightforward. Nevertheless, our friendly experts are on hand today to help you learn more about some of the key things you should consider as part of your car check to ensure you’re buying a second-hand car that’s right for your needs.
A Guide to Checking Your Car as a Private Motorist
As a private motorist, it’s easy to get caught out by dishonest sellers when buying a second-hand car. However, there are ways that you can make sure the car you’re looking at is genuine, and we’ve summarised a few of these below to help.
- Consider the different private car checks carefully: There are numerous vehicle checking services that vary considerably in terms of how they work and the amount of data they provide. For example, some options may be free (e.g. searching the DVLA directly), while others may be paid services that help give you a greater insight into the vehicle. Considering how much information you need to decide on your vehicle purchase may help here.
- Check the checking tool’s reputation: Not all car history checking tools are created equally; a small number can even be scams. As such, when deciding which tool to use, always ensure that you have checked the service is genuine.
- Make sure the number plate is genuine: It’s easy for sellers who may be less honest to provide inaccurate information regarding the vehicle – and this includes the number plate! So, always make sure that the number plate provided looks genuine, and check the details of the vehicle against the details provided by the car check to reduce the risk of being given inaccurate information.
Always remember that an online vehicle check is very different to an in-person inspection and mechanic check. To be as confident as possible in your purchase, getting both done may help provide you with greater peace of mind overall.
Things to Consider When Making This Decision
When deciding whether to buy a car, you’ll need to make sure you’ve completed a car history check first; after all, this provides information that you may not be able to see directly. In addition, try to check the car for any physical signs of issues or wear, such as scratched bodywork, poor handling during use, and the like. All of these factors may help inform your decision on the right choice of car for your upgrade.
Final Thoughts
Buying a new car is a big decision. Nevertheless, with the right reg check tool, it becomes relatively simple to work out whether a vehicle is likely to be a safe bet.
