Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/838705
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 18 JUNE 2017 IV Motoring BUYING a second-hand car isn't fraught with the sorts of dangers it used to be. Vehicles produced in the last 10 years are, generally-speaking, more reliable than ever before; from rust-proofing to improved safety features, stronger materials used in construction, and improved equipment levels mean that vehicles last longer. And they not only last longer, but they last bet- ter for longer. And, government legislation and record keeping makes it harder for dodgy cars to make it to market. That said, there are still horror stories but by being prepared and understanding exactly what you're buying into and that you've been through it with a fine-toothed comb will put you in a much better posi- tion when buying a second-hand car. And that's whether you're buying it from a deal- er through an approved used programme, from a private seller, or an independent dealership. Remember that when you're buying a car, especially a used one, you should buy with your head and not your heart (that applies to any sort of vehicle purchase, really). That means knowing your budget and sticking to it, being realistic about the car you're looking at and anything that might be wrong with it. And, don't for an instant think that if you don't buy this used car right now then you'll miss out, because there are thou- sands of used cars sold in this country every year. So, take your time and make sure the car you're buying fits your budget and your requirements. And be prepared to walk away. What car to buy? We won't delve too deeply into this and will take it as a given that if you're planning on driving off-road then you're considering second-hand off-roaders and not sports cars. The below advice relates to the car you're looking at, and the specific things you should be look- ing at once you've decided what type of vehicle you want to buy. It's worth remembering that if you spot one thing wrong with the car you're considering buying, like damaged wheels, tyres in poor condition, or the interior looking scrappy, then there's a fair chance that something else will likely have been neglected, something that you can't see, like the vehicle's mechanicals. So, consider some of the issues outlined in the rest of the article as warning signs, if you like. Check the body This is likely to be the first thing you'll need to check out and it's also the easiest. Most of the time. What you'll be looking for as you wander around the vehicle are any wrinkles in the paintwork, dings and dents, chips across the front of the bonnet (suggesting heavy highway or country road work). Look along the car from the front to the back, checking that the door creases and edges line up. Open all the doors and look at the seals, make sure they're not cracked or missing. Raise the boot and take a good look around, lifting the carpet to check the spare tyre and wheel-changing kit is there (and take a good sniff in here too as water leaks into the boot will make it smell mus- ty), and look under the bonnet and check the seals, but we'll detail what you should be looking for a little later in the article. If you can fold the rear seats down from the boot, meaning if there's a lever to do so, then check it works while you're here. Look under the wheel arches and at the base of the front and rear windscreen. You're looking for a build-up of crud, most likely to be leaves, as left to decay in these places can cause rust to occur. While you're checking the body, look at the tyres. Ask about the age of the tyres and if the owner of the vehicle has a re- ceipt for them… tyres aren't like wine; they get worse with age. Old tyres on the car could be a good negotiating chip, as tyres cost money; you could settle on a rough replacement figure and have that dropped off the asking price. Look for consistent wear across the face of the tyre too; if there's excessive wear on one side or the other then it's likely because the wheels are out of alignment. And if the tyres look particularly worn in the middle, then they've probably been run consistently underinflated. The wheels themselves will likely have a few minor marks and grazes on them, but bigger dings and dents (you'll know them when you see them and they'll usually be on the outside edge of the wheel) could be evidence of running into the pave- ment rather than just skimming it because you've parked too close. While you're checking out the body, get the lights turned on and check that all the bulbs are working; check the indicators and the brake lights too. If a bulb is blown then there'll usually be a warning light What to look out for when