What to Ask When Buying a Used Car
What to Ask When Buying a Used Car
Wondering whether you should buy a new or used car? Purchasing a used car is becoming a popular and often more economical option for many drivers. However, while a used car
may be more financially feasible, there are additional elements you need to consider.
At Kia, we want to help you choose the safest and most reliable used car for you and your family. That’s why we’ve put together a comprehensive checklist detailing everything you need to ask and check when buying a used car.
In this article, we explore how to make a well-informed, sensible decision. We also look at why buying from a trusted and approved retailer, like Kia, is always a safer option.
What to look out for when buying a used car
Purchasing a used car
is much less risky nowadays as you have access to MOT history, service history and insurance write-offs. Advancements in record-keeping also mean that you can get a much clearer picture of any car’s history and usage before buying.
However, there is still an inherent risk when buying a used car. If any components are overly worn or faulty, they could pose serious risks to your safety. This could also lead to repairs and replacement costs that negate any savings.
The list below explains what to look out for and ask before buying a used car.
1. Is the engine in good repair?
The engine is the heart of any vehicle. It’s also complex and associated repairs can quickly become expensive.
Examining the engine before you buy a used car
can save you significant costs in fixing current or future issues. You should always check for potential leaks, as well as the engine oil level, exhaust smoke, and head gasket. You may also be able to find out more about the engine exhaust system by checking the car’s emissions test history.
2. Will the tyres need replacing soon?
Tyres wear over time and only have a finite lifespan. Tyres on a used car
will usually show some signs of wear. Still, you should always make sure they are safe and legally roadworthy before making a purchase.
You can do this by checking the tyre tread depth. In the UK, tyre tread depth must be the legal limit of 1.6mm or deeper. However, if it’s below 3mm, the tyres will likely need replacing soon. Factor this into your purchase cost.
3. Does the bodywork show signs of previous damage?
Assess the bodywork for any dings, scratches or dents. Examining the bodywork is also usually the best way to find evidence of any major accident repair work. Keep an eye out for some tell-tale signs of poor repairs or maintenance after an accident, such as panel gaps or inconsistent paint colouring.
4. Can I take it on a test drive?
Make sure you take the car for a test drive before purchasing. It can be difficult to spot all faults until you’re behind the wheel. Test drives also allow you to check simple but integral components, such as indicators, lights, windscreen wipers, seat positioning and windows.
During your test drive, you should be aware of any sounds the car makes. If anything sounds abnormal or unhealthy, examine it or question it further with the seller.
5. Does the current owner have all the necessary documents?
Knowing what documents you should get when buying a used car
is essential for making a worthwhile purchase. One of the major improvements in the process of buying a used car is being able to use various records to gain a clear picture of a car’s history.
There are numerous documents you should always ask to see, the most important of which is the V5C. A V5C is the car’s registration document, which allows you to tax the car. Once the seller provides you with the V5C you should do the following checks:
• Check for spelling mistakes and ensure it’s watermarked
• Check the VIN number matches the car
• Check the make, model and number plate match
• Find out if the seller is the registered keeper of the document. If they’re not, you should question why they are selling it on someone else’s behalf. They may have a genuine reason for this.
You should also check the vehicle’s MOT and full service history. MOT history is available to view online, so you don’t necessarily need to ask the seller for this document. Before you buy any used vehicle, you should always check it has a current MOT, as you won’t be able to legally drive it without one.
Not all used cars will have a full-service history for you to view. However, if you’re buying a more expensive used car, you ideally want to ensure it has a service history log so you can check it’s been well looked after.
What’s good mileage for a used car?
Generally, a car should do around 10,000 miles per year. An easy way to work out good mileage for a used car
is to multiply its age by 10,000. If the car’s mileage is much higher than this, it’s likely the vehicle will have more wear and tear than it should for its age.
How can these checks help you make an educated decision?
If you’re looking to buy a used car
, you should complete all these checks before you commit. They can help you identify problems and ensure you make a well-informed decision.
Of course, the security of your purchase also depends on the reliability of the seller. Retailers and manufacturers tend to be more secure and reliable than independent sellers. At Kia, for instance, we have warranty or insurance packages in place to protect buyers.
Kia-approved used cars
At Kia, we want you to find a safe and reliable used car that will keep you on the road for years. That’s why we have a comprehensive peace-of-mind package that comes with all our approved used cars,
as a promise to you.
Our peace-of-mind package includes:
• Transferrable 7-year warranty as standard
• Our approved used cars are no older than 20 months or 20,000 miles
• Full-service history
• Free driveaway insurance and excess return
• Provenance checks
• 2-year European roadside assistance
• Vehicle inspection checklist
• 1-year MOT test cover
• Free Kia accident aftercare
Visit our dedicated page to find out more about ourapproved used car
and why buying used with us is just as rewarding as buying a brand-new car. If you’re not interested in buying outright, you can also lease a used car through Kia’s Personal Motor Loan
or Personal Contract Purchase.
Images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be to full UK specification. Features shown are not standard across the Kia model range and availability will vary dependant on model. For further details please refer to the individual model specification sheets.