advice on buying a car
Buying a car privately
Most modified cars will be for sale privately as dealers don’t tend to get involved with them. This means you will have to be more careful when buying your new pride and joy because you will not get the after-sales service.
There are always going to be risks with buying privately but try to avoid letting this putting you off. As long as you follow this guide carefully and use your initiative you will hopefully be the proud owner of a new modified car very soon.
Here are a few things to be aware of:
Contacting the Seller
As a buyer you are responsible for asking everything you need to know about the ride you are looking to buy. Try not to rely on the seller to provide the information if you haven’t asked for it, as they will just skirt around the problems.
The key is to try and save you some time. The first stage is normally contacting the seller via one of the available sources. Try to get as much detail as possible during this first stage as it will save you time in the long run!
Here are some of the questions you should be asking:
Viewing the ride
The viewing is the most important part of buying a new ride. Those that believe in love at first site have a tendancy to get roped in and switch off to the things that really matter.
How legal is the vehicle you are looking to buy? It may look amazing from the outside but it not much use to you when its failed its MOT or its engine dies so tread very carfully! Also blue neons look great, but you cannot use them whilst on public roads!
Test Drive
It’s a common enough request for a buyer to request a test drive so if for any reason your seller appears a bit sketchy or dubious to your test driving the vehicle then it is probably best to walk away. There is no reason why a seller should not want you to try before you buy unless they have something to hide.
There are things to do when test driving a vehicle:
Start the car up - The obvious first stage, don’t get straight in and drive, just do a few personal checks first:
Once you are out on the road; try to stay alert for unusual symptoms that the ride may occur:
The Essentials
Here is some more stuff to remember during your test drive experience:
External Checks
When investigating a car consider the following:
Here are a series of checks you can carry out yourself on the interior of the car:
Under the Bonnet checks
It doesn’t take long to have a look under the bonnet and those few extra minutes viewing could save you a lot of money and a lot of cash!
Vehicle Crime Advice
Thieves or TWOCers are not your average human being. Unlike many of us in the world they don not care about other people and how stealing from them will affect one another. Each and every day thieves are thinking of more ingenious ways of stealing from the ever so unsuspecting public.
It is a buyer or sellers duty in this world to try to prevent this happening. We have put together some advice for you to help trying to prevent thieving from happening to you.
Always If you are concerned about a buyer viewing your ride that may be a thief the answer is to never leave the ride unattended at any time while the buyer is viewing it, Never give out and hints or security codes about the ride until the buyer has shown you some identification and handed over at least a deposit for the ride.
The key to protecting your ride is to be careful where you’re parking it, especially at night. Make sure the area is well lit and frequently busy. Makes sure you check all your doors are locked, sunroofs and windows fully closed and any valuables are removed.
Never Leave Valuables or items that attract thieves lying about inside your vehicle. If it cannot be removed please hide it away somewhere where it cannot be seen.
Keys Keep your keys in your sight at all times. Never hand them over to a buyer if you feel they are acting suspiciously. Never leave them unattended in your vehicle – even for short periods of time.
Make sure you keep them stored in a safe place at all times. It is not unusual for burglars to break into your work or home and steal your keys if you leave them on show or in an obvious place.
Logbooks Logbooks are probably the most important document of your vehicle. Without one it is very hard to sell a vehicle that’s why these are also important to thieves. If they can lay their hands on the logbook of a vehicle it’s like handing them a free car as they can sign it into their name and sell it on in no time at all.
Try to keep your logbook in a safe place even if it is in between viewings of the vehicle as robbers will steal from you in broad daylight if they are given the opportunity so please don’t leave it in your ride, even for half an hour, it only takes seconds for a ride to be pinched!
The DVLA keep records of all logbooks and stolen logbooks so if in any doubt please contact the DVLA.
Remember
If you see anything unusual or suspicious, call the police immediately. In an emergency dial 999.
Checking the History Let professionals check the history of the used car you want to buy. If you are concerned about the history then try and get a legitimate company to do the checks. For the money you pay its worth having the check done properly after all.
How do I tell if the ride I want to buy has been abused? The easy answer is you can’t. The best bet is to protect yourself from losing money and the ride with a full legal Data Check.
Companies such as the AA will carry out these types of checks.
The checks are very thorough and they will tell you:
V5/V5C Documentation
The V5C replaced the V5 document recently. There are still some V5 documents around so don't worry if your seller has the older style V5. The V5C is a booklet with a front page so it is easily recognised.
Without a V5 or V5C Registration Document you will struggle to sell your ride so if you have merely lost your document we would advise contacting the DVLA.
You can visit the DVLA website at dvla.gov.uk or contact them on 0870 240 0010 for more information.
MOT
They have also changed the way the MOT works now. By law the MOT now has to be entered into a computer and stored on a database so the DVLA can keep a record.
This has been brought in to also prevent fraud and improve the MOT test standards across the board.
You can check the MOT status of any vehicle you own, or are considering buying by contacting the Vehicle & Operator Services Agency 0870 330 0444 or vosa.gov.uk.
The test will now be printed on paper which does make it easier to read compared to the older type written test paper.
Service Stamps
If you have looked after your ride well and had it service every time it was due this will really show when you come to sell up. If u haven't had all the services carried out its not a big problem but any paperwork you have to go with the services you have had done will be very helpful for any buyer.
Buyers Rights
Buying a ride can sometimes be a daunting and tricky experience. It's always worth taking extra precautions when buying, especially for the first time.
Private When buying a car privately you will have far less comeback that when purchasing from a dealer. The legal rights virtually go out the window and the only real obligation for the seller is to describe the car exact to their knowledge.
Unless you have solid evidence that the car you have purchased was faulty before you gained ownership and the seller was aware of the fault before the sale there is nothing legally you can do. A private seller normally states a car as ‘sold as seen’ which means unless you find a problem upon viewing the car it is mechanically sound and working the required standard.
As a buyer there are a few points you can still expect the vehicle to be:
If you pay for a vehicle to be inspected by an independent vehicle inspector the dealer cannot be held responsible for any faults found on the inspection. The key is to always ask for written statement on the car’s condition form the dealer when purchasing your new vehicle.
If you discover that your vehicle is found to be faulty anytime within 6 months of purchase you can reject it and demand either repair or a replacement vehicle of the same standard. This is unless it causes too much trouble or inconvenience to the seller.
An example of this would be if the vehicle’s repair cost was at a similar cost to a replacement vehicle of the same standard. The other option for a dealer is to offer a significant discount or refund for the vehicle you purchased.
It is now down to the vehicle dealer to prove that the vehicle was of a reasonable standard and up to the expectations required when the vehicle was sold. This will mean that you don’t need an independent vehicle inspection.
If you still feel that your vehicle has a fault you must stop using the car immediately and contact the dealer. You will then need to contact the dealer in writing and confirm the possibility of a fault and any possible evidence or diagnoses symptoms you have found to back this enquiry up.
Most modified cars will be for sale privately as dealers don’t tend to get involved with them. This means you will have to be more careful when buying your new pride and joy because you will not get the after-sales service.
There are always going to be risks with buying privately but try to avoid letting this putting you off. As long as you follow this guide carefully and use your initiative you will hopefully be the proud owner of a new modified car very soon.
Here are a few things to be aware of:
- You probably will not get a warranty with your new car so make sure you thoroughly check the car you are looking to buy.
- When it comes to legal come backs there is not a lot you can do. Most of the time once you have bought the car, it is 'sold as seen'. You can take legal action against your seller but there is a high risk that you may still end up out of pocket in the long run.
- Part exchanges are becoming more common nowadays but always bear in mind that a private seller normally sells their car because they have found another car elsewhere. This means you will have to deal with selling your own car yourself....ModifiedCars4Sale.com can help you with this!
- A dealer normally gives a vehicle a full check and by law has a standard they must live up to. When buying a car privately this is not the case and normally the vehicle won't come with any form of checks or inspection other than the sellers own personal checks. Obviously the more recent the car was MOT'd the better, as you can see from the certificate any advisories that will need your attention. You can also use this as a bargaining tool to lower the cost of your new car e.g. "It says here it is recommended that the car has a full set of new tyres, that will cost me around £400, I want this discounting off the price if I am to buy it off you today".
- As long as you taken the relevant precautious, checks and possibly an independent vehicle check if you feel it is necessary you will come away with a good new car and you will have probably saved yourself a fortune by not going down the dealer route.
Contacting the Seller
As a buyer you are responsible for asking everything you need to know about the ride you are looking to buy. Try not to rely on the seller to provide the information if you haven’t asked for it, as they will just skirt around the problems.
The key is to try and save you some time. The first stage is normally contacting the seller via one of the available sources. Try to get as much detail as possible during this first stage as it will save you time in the long run!
Here are some of the questions you should be asking:
- Does the vehicle have valid Tax and MOT? If so, how much?
- What is the reason they are selling the vehicle?
- Has the Vehicle ever been involved in an accident or damaged at any time? If so, Where was the vehicle repaired and do they have the paperwork to prove this?
- What is the mileage on the vehicle?
- What key features does the car have?
- Do they have any outstanding finance or purchasing agreement on the vehicle?
- Does the vehicle have any service history or old mot documents? If so what?
- If the car is modified where were the mod’s carried out and when? If so is there any paperwork to back this up?
Viewing the ride
The viewing is the most important part of buying a new ride. Those that believe in love at first site have a tendancy to get roped in and switch off to the things that really matter.
How legal is the vehicle you are looking to buy? It may look amazing from the outside but it not much use to you when its failed its MOT or its engine dies so tread very carfully! Also blue neons look great, but you cannot use them whilst on public roads!
Test Drive
It’s a common enough request for a buyer to request a test drive so if for any reason your seller appears a bit sketchy or dubious to your test driving the vehicle then it is probably best to walk away. There is no reason why a seller should not want you to try before you buy unless they have something to hide.
There are things to do when test driving a vehicle:
Start the car up - The obvious first stage, don’t get straight in and drive, just do a few personal checks first:
- Have a listen to the sound of the engine from the outside. Tappy or clattery engines upon start up is common but if this doesn’t disappear in the first few seconds you have a right to be concerned.
- The oil pressure light on the dash should appear before start up and disappear after a few seconds upon the start up. Insufficient oil or poor oil pressure will seriously affect the engine and possibly cause permanent damage.
- Turn the steering wheel from lock to lock on the steering rack. Try to listen out for any funny sounds or signs of the wheels fouling the arches, this is a common sign on modified cars but if a car has been modified professionally the wheels should not foul anything at all.
- A juddery sound as you pull off can be the victim off a tired car or a badly fitted clutch. This could cost you a bit of money in the long run so beware!!
- A Slippery clutch. Slipping clutches are easy to spot and can be quite a common occurrence. The best way to test this out is to rev the engine in high gear and listen to the engine note. If it wavers, or the revs increase without an increase in acceleration, the clutch is probably on its way out.
- Smokey engines are a bad sign. Engines shouldn’t smoke at all so no matter what the seller says to you don’t hand over any cash until you are happy that the engine is running well.
Once you are out on the road; try to stay alert for unusual symptoms that the ride may occur:
- Brakes. Juddery brakes can be sign of warped discs so beware. A grinding sound may indicate worn pads and discs, if the vehicle hasn’t been driven for a while it may grind to begin with but this will disappear once the brakes have warmed up. Make sure the handbrake works too as these are common to fail.
- The handling. Cars that have a tendency to ‘Wander’ in a straight line normally indicate suspension problems and that’s not good. It’s also worth checking that the car doesn’t wander upon braking too.
- Engine knocks or clatters can indicate poor maintenance and it is worth avoiding cars like these unless you are clued up when it comes to engines.
- Suspension. The suspension should generally be quiet with no rattles or knocks. Suspension components can wear away quite often and it’s not unusual to have the odd bush or spring replaced. Dampers or shocks sometimes seized up or leak after a few years so unless the suspension has been recently replaced there is no need to panic.
- Sluggishness on engines is not really normal. If you think the ride is under performing and slower than it should be then this can indicate a very hard worn engine. The other alternative is to check to make sure the engine fitted is the right one for the model as it’s not uncommon to have had an engine replaced at some stage, especially on older vehicles.
- When you are driving along the road listen out for any high pitched whirring noises or clicking sounds. On cars fitted with aftermarket alloy wheels it is not uncommon for wheel bearings to begin to separate or CV joints to split. These are relatively cheap to have replaced but make sure the seller knows that there is a possible fault and they may offer to have it fitted for you.
- The temperature – The gage in the dash should sit in the normal or middle zone. Don’t worry to much if its not. Temperature sensors can also stop working or give out false readings when on the way out. As long as the temperature is so hot that the radiator fan kicks in there really isn’t much to worry about here.
- Have a look under the bonnet for signs of any leaks or evidence from recent leaks. Oil leaks, water, hydraulic fluid and power steering leaks are the most common leaks that occur.
- Switch the engine off and remove the oil filler cap. Have a look at the underneath of the cap for any residue. Common symptoms are a residue that looks similar to ‘mayonnaise’. This can indicate water may have mixed with the oil which can cause serious internal engine problems if not attended to quickly. It’s also worth looking into the coolant or header tank for anything unusual in there.
The Essentials
Here is some more stuff to remember during your test drive experience:
- Make sure you physically drive the car, if the seller drives it for you this is no good. Also make sure you drive the car from cold, this is where you will notice anything the most.
- If you think the seller is talking too much try to politely shut them up.
- Insurance. Make sure you are covered to drive the ride on the road! See our Modified Car Insurance page for details.
- Make sure you follow your own route. OK if you’re a stranger to the area you won’t know the way around. It is worth trying to find a good route before you go to view the car.
- Concentrate on your needs. The seller might have had a different purpose for the car when they owned it so make sure the car you are buying is suited to what you are looking for.
External Checks
When investigating a car consider the following:
- Tyre Wear. Is the wear on the tyres ok? Tyres can wear away at the sides if the alignment is out so look around the tyres for any signs of heavy wear. Cracking or big chunks missing will mean potentially illegal/soon to be illegal tyres.
- Bodywork panels. Have a good look all round the car for any imperfections on the body. If a panel on one side fits slightly more back than on the other side it can indicate poor or shoddy repair work.
- Rippled panels. It is easy to spot filler patches or worse still rippled panels so crouch down next to the car and have a good look round it before you purchase anything.
- On the wonk? Take a step back from the ride; does it seem to be sitting level on flat ground? In rare case rides sit slightly higher or lower on one side, this can indicate chassis damage.
- Rust patches. Although the car may look rust free its always worth rubbing your hand all on the inside of the wheels arches as they store up dirt and grime and this is where rust usually starts.
- Paint mis-matches. The car you are looking to buy may have already had a re-spray at some stage but the owner may have had a scrape since then and tried to patch it up themselves to save money. Have a good look around the ride for any mis-matched paint or overspray.
Here are a series of checks you can carry out yourself on the interior of the car:
- Torn or Soft worn seats. If a car has suffered some heavy usage your will see the seats sagging a bit and the seams of the trim start to separate. It’s worth double checking the mileage of the vehicle and seeing if this tally’s up otherwise there is something fishy going on.
- Carpets. Lift up the carpets in the boot and check for any signs of damage or unusual welding marks. Damp carpets in the boot or inside the car itself means the car may be leaking from somewhere! Cabriolets sometimes gather leaks if a roof has been fitted incorrectly.
- Seatbelts. Check the seatbelts, do they return properly. This can be a minor or easy repair in most cases but if you were to crash on your way home from buying the car you will be in trouble so don’t buy it until the fault has been repaired!
- Theft damage. Have a look round for any possible glass fragments or an ill fitted steering column or evidence of damage.
- Odometer alignment. The mileage on the clocks are very hard to read evenly so beware if a car has one too many zero numbers on it. Its worth looking around the dash clocks for any signs of removal in case the clocks have been tampered with.
Under the Bonnet checks
It doesn’t take long to have a look under the bonnet and those few extra minutes viewing could save you a lot of money and a lot of cash!
- Temperature gauges should be in the normal to cool zone. You are right to be concerned if they are not!
- Check the Oil. Check the oil level and the quality of the oil in the engine. If it is sludgy the chances are the car has missed one or two services in its time.
- Have a look around the engine bay for any signs of leaks or evidence of recent leaks that shouldn’t have occurred.
- Pop the oil filler cap of and have a look at the bottom of the cap to see if there are any signs of white residue or a white frothy foam. This can suggest that the head gasket has split and is a result of water and oil mixing together. In other words expensive and serious!
Vehicle Crime Advice
Thieves or TWOCers are not your average human being. Unlike many of us in the world they don not care about other people and how stealing from them will affect one another. Each and every day thieves are thinking of more ingenious ways of stealing from the ever so unsuspecting public.
It is a buyer or sellers duty in this world to try to prevent this happening. We have put together some advice for you to help trying to prevent thieving from happening to you.
Always If you are concerned about a buyer viewing your ride that may be a thief the answer is to never leave the ride unattended at any time while the buyer is viewing it, Never give out and hints or security codes about the ride until the buyer has shown you some identification and handed over at least a deposit for the ride.
The key to protecting your ride is to be careful where you’re parking it, especially at night. Make sure the area is well lit and frequently busy. Makes sure you check all your doors are locked, sunroofs and windows fully closed and any valuables are removed.
Never Leave Valuables or items that attract thieves lying about inside your vehicle. If it cannot be removed please hide it away somewhere where it cannot be seen.
Keys Keep your keys in your sight at all times. Never hand them over to a buyer if you feel they are acting suspiciously. Never leave them unattended in your vehicle – even for short periods of time.
Make sure you keep them stored in a safe place at all times. It is not unusual for burglars to break into your work or home and steal your keys if you leave them on show or in an obvious place.
Logbooks Logbooks are probably the most important document of your vehicle. Without one it is very hard to sell a vehicle that’s why these are also important to thieves. If they can lay their hands on the logbook of a vehicle it’s like handing them a free car as they can sign it into their name and sell it on in no time at all.
Try to keep your logbook in a safe place even if it is in between viewings of the vehicle as robbers will steal from you in broad daylight if they are given the opportunity so please don’t leave it in your ride, even for half an hour, it only takes seconds for a ride to be pinched!
The DVLA keep records of all logbooks and stolen logbooks so if in any doubt please contact the DVLA.
Remember
If you see anything unusual or suspicious, call the police immediately. In an emergency dial 999.
Checking the History Let professionals check the history of the used car you want to buy. If you are concerned about the history then try and get a legitimate company to do the checks. For the money you pay its worth having the check done properly after all.
How do I tell if the ride I want to buy has been abused? The easy answer is you can’t. The best bet is to protect yourself from losing money and the ride with a full legal Data Check.
Companies such as the AA will carry out these types of checks.
The checks are very thorough and they will tell you:
- If the vehicle has any outstanding finance
- The genuine mileage history
- If the vehicle has been recorded as stolen
- If the vehicle has been written off
V5/V5C Documentation
The V5C replaced the V5 document recently. There are still some V5 documents around so don't worry if your seller has the older style V5. The V5C is a booklet with a front page so it is easily recognised.
Without a V5 or V5C Registration Document you will struggle to sell your ride so if you have merely lost your document we would advise contacting the DVLA.
You can visit the DVLA website at dvla.gov.uk or contact them on 0870 240 0010 for more information.
MOT
They have also changed the way the MOT works now. By law the MOT now has to be entered into a computer and stored on a database so the DVLA can keep a record.
This has been brought in to also prevent fraud and improve the MOT test standards across the board.
You can check the MOT status of any vehicle you own, or are considering buying by contacting the Vehicle & Operator Services Agency 0870 330 0444 or vosa.gov.uk.
The test will now be printed on paper which does make it easier to read compared to the older type written test paper.
Service Stamps
If you have looked after your ride well and had it service every time it was due this will really show when you come to sell up. If u haven't had all the services carried out its not a big problem but any paperwork you have to go with the services you have had done will be very helpful for any buyer.
Buyers Rights
Buying a ride can sometimes be a daunting and tricky experience. It's always worth taking extra precautions when buying, especially for the first time.
Private When buying a car privately you will have far less comeback that when purchasing from a dealer. The legal rights virtually go out the window and the only real obligation for the seller is to describe the car exact to their knowledge.
Unless you have solid evidence that the car you have purchased was faulty before you gained ownership and the seller was aware of the fault before the sale there is nothing legally you can do. A private seller normally states a car as ‘sold as seen’ which means unless you find a problem upon viewing the car it is mechanically sound and working the required standard.
As a buyer there are a few points you can still expect the vehicle to be:
If you pay for a vehicle to be inspected by an independent vehicle inspector the dealer cannot be held responsible for any faults found on the inspection. The key is to always ask for written statement on the car’s condition form the dealer when purchasing your new vehicle.
If you discover that your vehicle is found to be faulty anytime within 6 months of purchase you can reject it and demand either repair or a replacement vehicle of the same standard. This is unless it causes too much trouble or inconvenience to the seller.
An example of this would be if the vehicle’s repair cost was at a similar cost to a replacement vehicle of the same standard. The other option for a dealer is to offer a significant discount or refund for the vehicle you purchased.
It is now down to the vehicle dealer to prove that the vehicle was of a reasonable standard and up to the expectations required when the vehicle was sold. This will mean that you don’t need an independent vehicle inspection.
If you still feel that your vehicle has a fault you must stop using the car immediately and contact the dealer. You will then need to contact the dealer in writing and confirm the possibility of a fault and any possible evidence or diagnoses symptoms you have found to back this enquiry up.
