Pre-Purchase Inspections: What to Have Checked Before Buying a Used Car

Engine, gearbox and clutch

The inspection looks at how the engine starts, idles and runs, and listens for knocks, ticks and rattles. The technician checks oil level and condition, coolant, and the signs of leaks around gaskets and seals. White or blue smoke, or a milky residue under the oil filler cap, are the kind of signs to be taken seriously.

On a manual car, the clutch is assessed for slipping, heavy pedal feel and noisy engagement, while on an automatic the gear changes should be smooth and prompt. A worn clutch or a gearbox problem can be an expensive discovery after the sale, so these deserve proper attention.

Brakes, steering and suspension

Brake pads and discs are checked for wear, and the car should stop in a straight line without juddering. Steering should feel precise, with no wandering, vague play or odd noises on full lock.

Suspension components such as shock absorbers, bushes and drop links are inspected for leaks, damage and wear. Clunks over bumps and uneven tyre wear can both point to jobs that will need doing sooner rather than later.

• Brake pad, disc and pipe condition
• Steering play and joint wear
• Shock absorber leaks and worn bushes
• Uneven tyre wear that suggests alignment problems

Bodywork and signs of past repairs

Panel gaps, mismatched paint, overspray on rubbers and ripples in the metal can show that a car has been repaired after an accident. A repair is not automatically a problem, since good work can be hard to spot, but you should know what happened and how well it was done.

Underneath, the inspection looks for corrosion and damage on the structure, sills and mounting points. Cars that have lived near the coast, as many on Tyneside have, can show rust sooner, so it is worth looking underneath.

Ask also whether the car has had any recent paint or panel work, and whether the seller has paperwork for it. Documented, well-made repairs are much less worrying than a story that does not quite add up.

Leaks, fault codes and the test drive

With the car on a ramp, oil, coolant and gearbox leaks are far easier to see. A diagnostic reader can pull stored fault codes from the engine and other systems, including ones that do not currently show a warning light.

A test drive on a mix of roads shows things a static check cannot. Pulling under braking, noises at speed, gear changes, the way the engine pulls and whether warning lights come on all form part of the overall picture.

Using the report when you negotiate

A written list of faults and expected work gives you something solid to discuss with the seller. You might ask for repairs to be made, for the price to be reconsidered, or you might decide to walk away. Either way you are acting on facts.

At Banks of the Tyne in Hebburn we offer pre-purchase inspections as part of our servicing work. Remember an inspection reflects the car on the day, so it cannot predict every future fault.

Timing is worth thinking about. Arrange the inspection before any deposit is paid where you can, and agree with the seller in advance how and where it will be done. If the car has to be collected and brought to us, that needs to be sorted with the seller, who may want to be present or want the car back by a set time.

Finally, be ready for a mixed report. Most used cars have something that needs attention, and a list of small items is not a reason to run. The question to ask is whether the faults are fair for the age and mileage, and whether the price and the plan for putting them right make sense to you.

Frequently asked questions