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Guide To Buying A Second-Hand Car

By: Denise Wright

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So, you have passed your driving test and instantly want to get a used car.

Regrettably, not everybody in this world is honest and vehicle theft is a massive industry.

Frequently, stolen documents are used by conmen to accompany stolen vehicles that have had their identity changed to match that of a legit car. This is known as cloning. Any cloned vehicles are then offered to unsuspecting buyers who can experience substantial losses when the vehicles are found to be stolen.

Used Vehicle Statistics.

* 1 in 16 cars checked show mileage discrepancies.
* 1 in 5 vehicles checked expose a number plate change.
* 1 in 3 cars has some kind of obscure history.
* 1 in 4 cars has a finance agreement recorded against them.
* In the region of 160,000 vehicles are stolen each year.
* In the region of 600,000 cars are written off every year.
* 1 in 25 vehicles checked are 'write-offs'.

Things to bear in mind if purchasing a second hand car.

When You First Check Out Advert

Is there simply a landline with precise times to phone? If so make sure it isn't a telephone box.

It isn't recommended you just accept a mobile telephone number as they are hard to track down should something go wrong.

Can you clearly establish the registration number on the advertisement photo?

Do some research on the possible value of the car. If it is being offered too inexpensively there might be a good reason.

Going To Look at The Vehicle

Only arrange to look at the car in daylight.

If the seller only wishes to meet you in a public location and not at their house, walk away, ask yourself why that may be.

Important Documents

Always request to look at the vehicles registration certificate.

Verify the car's stamped-in Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) against the registration certificate (V5C).

Validate the V5C is the same as the vehicles details.

Confirm whether the car has outstanding finance, as this might impact on your rights to the car.

Make certain the individual selling the vehicle has the power to make that decision, since the V5C isn’t proof that they are the rightful owner of the car.

Ask to look at some additional identification

See if they can show you:

An MOT certificate, any service records and a bill of sale.

Checking The Registration Certificate

To check that the V5C is genuine hold it up to the light - there ought to be a DVLA watermark.

Beware of stolen V5Cs. The serial number is in a white circle in the top right hand corner on the front of the V5C.

Don’t pay money for the vehicle if it seems like the serial number has been altered or played with, or part of the V5C is missing.

If you are suspicious, call the DVLA hotline on 0870 241 1878. They should verify if it is legit or not.

Take A Careful Look At The Car

Do all the locks undo with the same key? Criminals sometimes change any locks they have damaged.

Are there any signs of forced entry?

Does the engine seem as though it has been changed at all?

Has the petrol cap been forced or changed?

What If The Vehicle Carries a Q Registration?

If the vehicle has a ‘Q’ registration number, it might be because:

· The age or identity is unknown
· It might have been rebuilt from other elements
· It could have been imported without proof of its age

The Registration certificate ought to mention why the vehicle has been given a ‘Q’ registration number.

Ok:

Don’t pay money for the car if the VIN has been tampered with or is missing.

When checking the car's identity you ought to check that:

The vendor seems to be familiar with the car and controls etc.

The VIN and engine number correspond with those on the V5C and that the adjoining areas do not demonstrate signs of damage or alterations.

The seller, the registered keeper and the payee are the same person - the keeper will be on the V5C.

The part VIN or registration number etched on the windows matches those on the registration certificate and number plates respectively.

If this feels daunting to you take someone more knowledgeable along to check the car over and use the contact details offered here.

Remember that companies such as the AA can carry out car data checks for you.

If you have any doubts, rely on your instincts. If it seems too good to be true, it most likely is. Don’t be bullied into it - there will be an alternative car that you want.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

Information on taking driving lessons at Driving Lessons Brighton and how you can choose your driving teacher.

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