BUYING A CAR >>>

Audio commentary:

When it comes to lifetime purchases, buying a car comes second only to buying a house (unless you’re mega-rich and end up buying a boat, football team or small island community). It is therefore important to get it right. The following information should help you to get the best for your money and avoid any of the pitfalls associated with buying a new motor.

>> Before you buy

• Get your finance in place before choosing your car. This way you know your budget and options.
• Use valuation services and price guides so you know the price you should expect to pay before you start looking.
• Don’t limit your search to specialist used car dealers. Consider buying a trade-in from a new car dealership or a good private sale.

> >> Checking any vehicle

• As a general rule a car’s average mileage should be about 10,000 miles a year. So if the car you are checking out has done a lot more it may not be as good as others of a similar age.
• Check that the number on the car’s VIN plate and engine plate matches that on the registration document. This should not have been tampered with.
• Test-drive the vehicle on a variety of roads to get a true feel of the car. But make sure you are insured to do so first.
• Always take out a vehicle history check before you buy.
• If the car is over three years old, check that it has a current MOT certificate.
• Ask for the full service history and receipts of any work undertaken.
• Ensure you take the V5C registration document. Fill it out and post back to the DVLA immediately.

>>> Tyres

• Check the treads on all tyres, including the spare. Anything less that 1.6mm is illegal. There should be no damage to the sidewalls either.

>> >> Brakes

• The brake pedal should feel solid and never sink to the floor.
• Make sure that the car does not veer when the brakes are applied.
• The car should not judder once the brakes are applied.

>> Steering

• Turn the steering wheel while a friend watches the front wheels. There should be no delay between the steering wheel and tyres turning.

>>> Suspension

• Push down the corners of the car and let go. If the shock absorbers are working it should rebound just past the level position then go back to normal.
• Check for fluid leaking from the shock absorbers (check inside the wheel arch at the cylinder inside the coil spring). Any fluid on the outside is a warning sign they are faulty.

> >>> Engine

• A dirty engine may suggest that the car has not been looked after. Similarly if the engine is spotless this could mean that the seller is trying too hard and has something to hide.
• Check the oil level and colour before you start. If it is dirty or sludgy then this could indicate neglect.
• The coolant should be the colour of anti-freeze or WKD Blue.
• Check no oil is leaking from the engine.
• Check the oil light goes off as soon as the vehicle starts.
• Check for blue or black smoke coming out of the back when revving the engine.
• Watch for signs of overheating on the temperature gauges.

> >> Accident damage

• Look at the car from every angle. Check for irregularities in the doors and wings and in the paintwork. Always view in dry weather, as rain can often hide problems.
• When test-driving, the steering should not pull to the left or right.

>> > Transmission

• The clutch should operate smoothly and the gears should engage easily.
• If the gear-change stiffens at higher revs then this could mean that the clutch is worn.

>> >> Rust

• Check in good light and from both the inside and outside of the car. If you find rust then gently press on it – a cracking sound will indicate corrosion.
• Look especially under the wheel arches, the corner of the windscreen and around the door frame.
• Any brake pipes showing rust will need replacing.

>>> Rights of the buyer

When you buy a car from a dealer, whether it’s new or second hand, you enter into a contract which offers you certain rights. These are covered by the ‘Sale of Goods Act, 1979’. The car must be ‘of satisfactory quality’, ‘fit for purpose’ and ‘as described’.

In short, it must be as good as any reasonable person would expect. Satisfactory quality includes the car’s safety and reliability, as well as its appearance. If it is new, it should be free from even minor defects, whereas when buying a second hand car you need to take into account the cost and description of the car when you bought it.

‘Fit for purpose’ simply means that the vehicle should do what you’d reasonably expect it to do, again taking into consideration the car’s cost and description.

‘as described’ means that the car should match every advert and anything the salesman said about the car, including mileage and any past history.

If you have any cause for complaint, you have a right to bring this up with the dealer and expect either compensation or a refund. However, you are not entitled to anything if;

• The salesmen pointed out the fault before you bought it
• The fault was a blatant or obvious one
• You make a mistake in purchasing it
• You change your mind
• You see a similar car cheaper elsewhere
• You damage the car

However, you may be entitled to additional rights if you buy on credit, as the lender may be responsible for getting the seller to put any problems right.

If you buy without looking at the vehicle, for example on the Internet, you may also have additional rights. You can change your mind for any reason and withdraw from the sale at any time up to seven days after receipt of your car. All you have to do is return the car, unused and in perfect condition. Unless the car is faulty, though, you will have to pay to have it returned.

If the car is faulty you are legally entitled to request a full refund if you have not ‘accepted’ the car. ‘Acceptance’ is indicated by the following;

• You tell the dealer you have accepted the car
• You alter the car
• You keep the car for a reasonable period of time without telling the seller that you have rejected it

If the car is deemed to have been ‘accepted’ then you are entitled to compensation, which may be enough to pay for the repairs. Alternatively the dealer can refuse to replace the vehicle if a repair is a more sensible solution. However, any repair must be carried out by the dealer within a reasonable time and without causing significant inconvenience.

>> Private sales

When buying from a private seller the Sale of Goods Act does not apply. Therefore you need to be careful when entering into any private deal. The vehicle must be ‘as described’ but need not be ‘of satisfactory quality’ or ‘fit for purpose’. The law does not give you much to go on unless you have been misled.