- Check the engine/chassis number (VIN plate) on the car corresponds with that given on the registration document and that it has not been tampered with or changed.
- Never buy a car without test-driving it yourself. First make sure you are insured to drive it, then, if possible, take it on a drive that covers a mixture of conditions, i.e. fast motorway driving, slow urban driving, twisting roads and don’t forget to check reverse.
- Check the odometer, if the numbers are out of line the mileage may have been altered.
- Look to see if the mileage corresponds with the general condition of the car.
- Look for worn brake and clutch pedals, wear marks on the gear lever, a smooth upper half of the steering wheel, a sagging driver’s seat, a worn carpet, all indicate that a car has probably done a high mileage.
- A very low mileage may indicate that the car has been left unused for long periods, or used only for short journeys. Both can cause engine problems. A car that has been regularly used and serviced is a better bet.
- Cars less than three years old, that have been driven 10,000 – 15,000 annually, are probably the best buys.
- An average annual mileage is about 10 – 12,000, so for a three year old car, mileage between 25,000 and 35,000 would be reasonable.
- Anything over this could have been used for business and driven hard.
