KNOWING what to look out for when buying a second-hand car can seem an utterly mystifying and daunting task.
It’s a booming market, with 6.8million pre-owned motors sold in the UK last year, compared to 1.65m brand new, according to SMMT.
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It pays to know how to navigate it – and the red flags to watch out for.
Automotive engineer Josh Regis, 34, has spent 18 years as a mechanic and regularly shares car advice with his 18,000 TikTok followers.
Here he reveals his top tips for buying a second-hand car with The Sun – and the question you must always ask.
Know what you want
Josh says the first thing to do is to decide on the car you really want before you start looking, and research it thoroughly.
Failing to do so can leave you vulnerable to paying over the odds.
He tells us: “The first thing to look at is the year, make, model and value of the vehicle.
“Research how reliable it is, what are the common issues, how expensive maintenance can be, and how much it is to lease or finance the vehicle.
“You cannot go into a car dealership without having the vehicle that you want in your mind because you are at risk of falling for anything the salesperson says.
“Through research, you will already understand the vehicle inside and out, so will be aware of its selling points.”
Crucial question
Josh recommends finding out as much as you can about the vehicle – and there are a number of websites that can help you do it.
Josh says: “Take down the registration plate and you can find out how many accidents it has been in, what’s been going on and if it was a salvage (previously written-off).”
In the UK you can check a vehicle’s MOT history and find out if any parts have been recalled on Gov.uk. For American drivers, Josh recommends using Carfax.eu.
Vehiclestats.co.uk also provides in-depth information including percentages on how likely a motor is to pass its next MOT.
The are several free online tools you can use to check your vehicle’s history
It is imperative to check whether the vehicle has ever been marked Category A, Category B, Category S or Category N.
These are categories assigned to a vehicle by the owner’s insurance company after a road accident.
They refer to a different level of accidental damage ranging from the vehicle being written off as “scrap only” to easily repairable non-structural damage.
Don’t be afraid to ask that crucial question, especially if buying from a private seller, as finding out further down the line could massively affect its resale value and your insurance.
WeBuyAnyCar advise thinking carefully if the vehicle has been assigned Category S or Category N but adds that they “can still be great cars” if properly repaired.
However, if a vehicle is Category A or Category B, they state: “You should walk away from the sale. You will be unable to insure the vehicle and cannot legally drive it.”
Most reputable car marketplaces will state whether their vehicles have a category.
Alternatively, there are car check tools online that can give detailed information about a vehicle’s history and if it has previously been category marked – though you often have to pay a small fee.
Hidden problems
Keep an eye out for scratches, dents and rust because it could indicate bigger problems
Having a keen eye for detail is important when inspecting your future car and it could help you knock off money when it comes to the negotiations.
Josh says: “You need to check the condition of the car – look for scratches, dents and rust as this can signify further issues.
“You should also test drive the vehicle to see if you can hear any unusual noises and to see how it feels while you’re on the road.”
Josh believes vehicles with well-maintained exteriors are more likely to be in better shape under the bonnet – as owners who do so typically take better care of their cars.
Hired help
Hiring a mechanic look inspect a vehicle could save you a fortune
While we may think we have a reasonable understanding of cars, we’re not professionals and can easily miss major issues.
Josh advises: “Get a mechanic on side, because they can be such a lifesaver. They will be able to see and hear things that you would never notice.
“To do this, you can go to a car repair shop and ask, ‘Hey can I pay for a mechanic to come to a dealership with me to inspect a vehicle?’
“Alternatively, you talk to the car dealership itself and say, ‘I would like to do a mechanical inspection.’
“Typically they will then allow you a day or a few hours so that you can take the car to a garage and get the vehicle inspected.”
After getting your report back from a mechanic, you will be able to assess whether the vehicle is right for you and discover any hidden problems.
Important tag
Josh recommends looking for used cars that are ‘approved’ by the manufacturer – which are known as ‘certified pre-owned’ (CPO) vehicles in the US.
He explains: “This is so important because a certified pre-owned tag or stamp means it has been inspected to a high level.
“I used to do CPO inspections, so I know for a fact that if it passed there should not be any issues.”
Approved cars have gone through standardised quality checks, which are set by the manufacturer. If the vehicle fails any of the criteria, it will be refurbished and repaired until it passes.
Typically, approved cars will also have a more expansive warranty than other second-hand motors and it often covers most major repairs within a limited timeframe.
Key negotiations
If you’re happy after finishing all of your checks, it’s time to enter negotiations – but as our expert points out, you should be willing to walk away, too.
Josh, who is based in Houston, Texas, says: “You need to negotiate on the price, especially if you notice a bunch of issues.
“Having already done your research, you will know the market value of the car and should try to get it for a lower price.
“The last thing I would say is to be willing to say ‘No’ and if you don’t feel comfortable just say, ‘I don’t want it’ and then get up and leave.
“You can always come back another day because guess what? Regardless of what happens, that vehicle needs to be sold sooner or later.
“And if you don’t get the car from them, you can go somewhere else. There will be multiple versions of the same car at other dealerships.”
For more top tips from car expert Josh Regis follow him on TikTok or Instagram. To find out more about his new app Kritkarr, launching next year, visit: www.kritkarr.com.