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Buying privately in Worcester.

To keep insurance costs down, a used small non sporty model should be your first choice, make sure it has makers immobiliser and alarm fitted.

If you intend to buy privately, check the small adverts in the local freepaper or even look for card adverts, in local shop windows.

The local car auction in Worcester can be a good place to buy, but you do need to take a competent mechanic with you, to carefully inspect.

When buying from a private person, the first thing to check, is the person you are dealing with the actual owner of the car?

Some unscrupulous traders can pretend to be private sellers to avoid legal obligations, you should be aware of this.

Check if the viewing address is as stated on the car’s registration document. Do not arrange to meet in a public car park, (always view where the vehicle is normally kept.)

Does the seller’s name appear on the V5 registration document? Ask him to confirm his identity. Can the seller prove he is the owner of the car?

How long has the vehicle been in his possession? (If only for a short time, ask why is he disposing so soon?)

When you have established who owns the vehicle, next check details on car, with details on V5 registration document, such as chassis number or VIN, (vehicle identification number usually on a plate under bonnet,) and engine number (stamped on engine block,) also check car has not been resprayed (the colour should be as stated on V5.)

Do not consider any vehicle, without V5 registration document, and valid MOT.

Does the owner have any service records, receipts, and old MOT’s relating to the vehicle?

Can the owner confirm there is no outstanding debt on the vehicle?

Ask the owner to confirm mileage, this can be checked if previous MOT’s have been kept, or service history can be provided.

Checking the vehicle in Worcester.

Check tyres for condition and depth of tread.

Look closely at the front tyres for signs of uneven tread wear, this could signify that alignment is out of adjustment or suspension damaged, [this could be expensive to correct.]

Look under bonnet, check for oil leaks, especially near top of engine and around oil filler cap, [this could signify the engine is worn.]

Remove dipstick to check level and condition of oil, also of any signs of water droplets, [any water on the dipstick could mean head gasket problem and expensive repairs.]

Remove the oil filler cap, check for emulsion, [this looks like mayonnaise] this means car has been used for short journeys, with infrequent oil changes, and will shorten life of engine.

Look under the car for any oil patches on the drive, [oil leaks can be expensive to rectify.]

Start the engine from cold, note if it starts easily and listen for any unusual noises, loud rhythmic ticking could be a worn camshaft, [will be expensive to put right])

Rev the engine, and hold at about half throttle for a few seconds, and note if smoke appears in exhaust, blue smoke means worn engine, black smoke means engine is out of tune, both will cost money to put right, [both could be an MOT failure.]

Look around the intended purchase; make sure the doors bonnet boot and tailgate fit check all locks operate. Wings should be free from dents, also check the paintwork is uniform and in good rustfree condition. [Rusty sills, wings, wheel arches, and even bumpers could mean MOT. failure.]

Check the windscreen for cracks, [a MOT. failure point.]

Check the headlights for rusty reflectors, [this will be a MOT. failure point and could be expensive to replace.]

Inspect the interior, the headlining should be free of tears, the dash should have no cracks in the plastic, the stereo if fitted, should be in gwo.

Check carpets and pedal rubbers, [badly worn will indicate high mileage.] A worn drivers seat should also be noted.

The road test
Before giving the vehicle a road test in Worcester, check you are insured to drive other vehicles, make sure car has current road tax, and MOT.and that the tyres and exhaust are legal,

When starting off, before driving too far ensure there is a firm brake pedal, and the brakes work.

The clutch should be easy to operate and the gears easy to change, without any crunching.

There should not be excessive noise from the engine or transmission.

When accelerating, check the clutch does not slip, especially when climbing a steep hill.

Does the car keep in a straight line, when loosely holding the wheel? [If car veers to one side could be expensive alignment fault.]

When braking does the car pull up squarely? [Pulling to one side could mean MOT. failure and expensive repairs.]

With a front wheel drive car, (most small cars are F.W.D.) drive slowly in a circle, with the car on full lock, and notice any unusual noises. [A loud clicking sound could mean expensive driveshaft replacement.]

During your test drive any illuminated warning lights should be noted, [electrical faults can be expensive to correct.]