This weeks cars to buy
Review
Fiesta 2010

Cars to buy - Car buying tips

Used car inspections and tests - car buying tip 1

If you're buying a used car, you will need to check the general condition of the car. A poorly maintained vehicle could cause you a string of problems later on.

If buying privately, used cars are usually 'sold as seen', so check everything carefully.

It is also advisable to check the vehicle's history to make sure the car is what it claims to be. To find out more click here to find out more.

1. Check the condition of the tyres. Don't forget tread depth and side-wall damage. If a tyre has uneven wear, it could be a sign that the wheels are not correctly aligned.
2. The steering wheel should rotate smoothly from lock to lock without any unusual noise or vibration.
3. The gears should engage easily and smoothly without any grinding with the clutch fully depressed. A weak or extremely stiff clutch pedal could be a sign of worn components.
4. The engine should idle smoothly and rev evenly. Check the oil dipstick and the inside of the oil filler cap. If you find a brown sludge, walk away - the engine is damaged and will need expensive repairs.
5. Check the exhaust doesn't produce lots of blue smoke when you rev the engine - this shows sign of excessive internal engine wear.
6. Check the body work and underside of the car for rust. Look at the exhaust system, does it look like it needs replacing soon?
7. Be suspicious of a very clean engine bay. Has it been cleaned to hide something?
8. While under the bonnet, look for signs of flaking paint and rust around the panel joints at the front of the car. This could denote repairs after crash damage.
9. Does the wear on the interior of the car match the mileage on the odometer? A low-mileage car with very worn seats and pedals could have been clocked.
10. Open and close the doors to check they work correctly, and examine the rubber seals for signs or paint, another indication of crash-damage repairs.
11. Look down the side of the car to see if all the panels and bodywork line up smoothly. Be suspicious of wavy panels or cars with uneven gaps between panels.
12. When on a test drive, the brakes should feel responsive and provide adequate stopping power when travelling at speed.
13. Check all items work correctly, including electric components. This should include windows, sunroofs, seats etc.

Car buying tip - Vehicle history check

Car buying tip 2 - Check the VIN

The VIN (Vehicle identification Number) is the best way to check a car's identity and make sure you're not buying a stolen vehicle, or an accident write-off that's been poorly repaired and put back on the road.

If you're buying from a garage or reputable dealer then you shouldn't have to worry, but buy privately or from a back-street dealer and you need to take care.

Before you view a car ask for the registration number and VIN so that you can get a vehicle history check carried out. This will provide key information such as the make, model and colour of the vehicle.

When you view the car ask to see the V5C (registration document) and make sure that the VINs on both match. You should also check with the DVLA that the V5C is genuine.

A car's VIN is displayed in several different places on a car, and they should all match the numbers on the V5C and history check. Look under the bonnet for the chassis plate or the VIN number stamped directly onto the car's body. It should be clear and legible, with no missing or flaky paint in the surrounding area, nor should there be sticker placed over the number. Take your time and make sure it doesn't look as if it's been altered in any way.

Many cars have a visible VIN displayed at the bottom edge of one side of the windscreen. This should be clearly visible and match the other VINs. However, make sure it's not a sticker or slip of paper placed at the bottom of the windscreen.

Some cars come with marked parts or tamper-proof stickers placed around the car. Look inside door apertures, on the edges of doors, around the edges of the engine bay and inside the boot. These should obviously match the other VINs.

Car windows and windscreens may also have the VIN etched into them, while the service book, service invoices and MOT certificates should also have the VIN printed on them.

Carry out all of these checks, and you stand a far better chance of not getting ripped off. Enterprising criminals may have tried to hide or change one or two numbers, so if things don't add up walk away and call the police.

Cars to buy - Car buying tips

Check the paperwork - car buying tip 3

When buying a new car check the paperwork carefully to ensure you get no nasty surprises.

• Examine the V5C registration document and check the registration date, number of owners and chassis.
• When you complete the sale, ensure that the new owner's section of the V5C is filled out correctly, and that you take the relevant sections with you.
• Look at the service history and see if it has been completed and, if buying a used car, see if important services have been carried out.
• If the car is old enough to require an MoT, check the expiry date to make sure that you can get the car insured.
• Make sure you get an invoice and sales contract showing that you have completed the deal and that the balance has been paid.
• If you're opting for a finance package from a dealer, check the paperwork and sign.