Four key things to consider when buying a used car

After a house, a car is usually the most expensive purchase we will make, even if it’s second-hand rather than brand new.

Whether you’ve saved up the cash or worked out a suitable way of getting finance, the next big step is finding your dream car.

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But even once you’ve tracked down the right model, you need to make sure it isn’t hiding any nasty surprises, in terms of a dodgy history or potentially catastrophic mechanical problems.

Fail to carry out basic checks and you could end up with a stolen or written-off vehicle or be left facing a bill for thousands if a key component such as gearbox or turbo packs in.

With this in mind, James Fairclough, CEO of AA Cars, has offered his advice on what critical checks to make when buying a used car.

Know the seller

If you choose to buy from a private seller, you should ensure that they are the registered owner of the vehicle by going to their address and checking it matches the address found on the vehicle’s V5C document. Always be cautious if the seller wants to meet you on ‘neutral’ ground such as a service area or lay-by somewhere, as the car may be stolen.

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