Five red flags first time car buyers should look out for
Buying your first car is an exciting yet daunting task, as there’s many factors to keep in mind. Here are five red flags to watch out for.
When car hunting, especially if it’s your first time, it is all too easy to overlook glaring issues for a great price. Jake Horvat, Director at GM Parts Direct reveals the five red flags first time car buyers should look out for and offers advice on what they should do to avoid being ripped off.
1) The price is too good to be true
As cars can be a huge splurge, it’s easy to be reeled in by a seemingly bargain price. If you’re buying a used car from a private seller (one that isn’t part of a dealership) then consider why this seller may want to get rid of their vehicle for such a low price. Perhaps the car has underlying mechanical issues that require costly repairs, which the seller isn’t willing to pay for themselves.
Even more seriously, the car in question may have outstanding finance which could result in the vehicle being repossessed from you – even if you’re not the person who took out the loan.
In extreme circumstances, the vehicle may have even been stolen which could result in the car being taken by the police and you becoming subject to legal action.
2)Smells and gritty oil under the bonnet
It may seem daunting, especially if you don’t consider yourself as a very technical or car-savvy person, but you should never buy a car without checking under the hood. While some issues may require a mechanic to determine, there are obvious signs that even the least car-savvy person can spot.
Once you’ve opened the bonnet, take a second to note any strong and unpleasant smells. If you can detect a ‘burnt’ scent or any overwhelming foul odours then this could be a sign of degradation which can indicate an underlying issue.
Take out the dipstick, which is fitted in a tube located on the side of the engine block, and check for significant grit in the oil. While a little bit of grit is usually nothing to worry about, if the oil is especially gritty and dark then this could be a sign of sludge buildup or a dirty oil filter, which either means the current owner hasn’t taken the correct care or there’s an issue.
Alongside smells and gritty oil, you must look out for any other leakage from the car. If you spot any signs of “gunk”, which is a thick and white substance, then this could indicate a major issue such as a coolant leak or a head gasket failure.
Oil systems in cars must be maintained as it’s not only dangerous to drive with a bad oil system but issues are usually very expensive to fix. If anything looks even slightly worrying then don’t take the risk.
If you still don’t feel confident in looking for these issues, bring someone along with you to check or you can hire a mechanic or a service person to do the checking for you before purchase.
3) Missing paperwork
When buying a car, whether it’s a new vehicle from a showroom or a used car you’ve found online, the seller must provide you with all the documentation for that car. This documentation will include:
- V5C Log Book which includes vital information of the vehicle, including its registered address. The lack of a V5C is especially a red flag now, as vehicle owners can order a replacement log book within five days if they’ve genuinely misplaced it. If a seller doesn’t have the V5C, and hasn’t ordered a replacement, then you should not go ahead with the car purchase, as this could indicate that the vehicle is stolen.
- The registration document. This is required by law and helps you build a record of ownership.
- Owner’s Manual and Maintenance Guide. This is especially important if you’re buying a new car as it will not only provide you with valuable information about how to use your car’s features but it will also outline what services are required at certain intervals.
If you’re buying a used car then the seller must also provide you with:
- Service Book, containing all the information about the car’s service history.
- MOT status. Remember, new cars do not come with an MOT and are only required on the first anniversary of its registration date.
Even if all the documentation is present you should still be vigilant and take the time to actually read through the information. Look out for any discrepancies, such as missing or incorrect titles as this could mean the documents have been forged.
4) It’s missing the vehicle identification number
All vehicles registered in the UK must have a unique, stamped-in vehicle identification 17-digit number (VIN) and registration number. The VIN should be stamped into the chassis of the vehicle.
If the vehicle has been radically altered, rebuilt or is a kit car then the DVLA would have needed to assess it and give the owner authorisation to have the vehicle stamped with a new VIN. So, if your new car’s VIN is obscured, altered or missing altogether then this is a massive red flag, as it could indicate that the car was stolen or modified illegally.
Having said that, a VIN can also be found on the vehicle registration document or on insurance paperwork, so be sure to ask for these documents too to find it there.
5) You don’t get the chance to test drive
You should ideally never buy a car without having driven it first, especially if it’s a used vehicle. If a seller doesn’t allow you the option to test the car then this is a huge red flag, as they may be trying to cover up a known issue.
Otherwise, if you are able to do a test drive then avoid doing a quick five-minute ride around the corner and instead be sure to test different speeds and gear changes. Keep an ear out for any odd sounds from the engine or from the suspension when driving over speed bumps, any grinding between gears (in a manual) or delayed gear changing (in an automatic car) and any hesitant acceleration.
