Buying a used car? Over half will have been in an accident, says RAC

Filed under:
Safety
on 03/22/2006

Source: RAC

Used car buyers are being urged to ‘check before they buy’ as latest figures show more than half of second hand cars have been in an accident and almost a third have dangerous faults.

The latest RAC figures reveal that 58 percent of all vehicles which underwent an RAC Vehicle Examination in January 2006* had been involved in an accident at some point, and 30 percent had dangerous faults, putting used car buyers looking for a bargain at serious risk.

The shock findings also revealed:

- nearly 80% of vehicles would fail a basic MOT

- 82% had faults that would cost more than £200 to fix

- one in five vehicles examined by the RAC had faults which made them un-roadworthy.

Nick Lindsay, head of RAC Consumer Vehicle Examinations, said: "It’s easy to be taken in by good looks and the right price, but our figures show that once you get below the flashy exterior, many cars have something to hide.

"This means at best consumers could be buying vehicles that need repair and worst they could be buying a death trap – a scary thought indeed.

"But it’s not just mechanical faults that used car buyers need to protect themselves from - a seller could be selling a stolen car or one that has outstanding finance and no amount of looking under the bonnet will help buyers discover that.

"Don’t just take a seller’s word - an RAC Vehicle Status Check and an RAC Vehicle Examination gives added consumer confidence when buying a used car."

The RAC Vehicle Status Check exposes hidden dangers and highlights the importance of getting the right advice. For just £24.99 it will confirm a vehicle’s identity and highlights whether it is stolen, has been previously written off by an insurance company or has finance still owing.

For added peace of mind an RAC Vehicle Examination offers used car buyers a mechanical and structural inspection of a vehicle. Depending on the type of inspection required there are two products; Essentials and Essentials Plus. Prices vary depending on the model and size of engine.

RAC used car buying checklist

- Set a budget and stick to it!

- Make a list of questions to ask before going to buy the car – then record the answers and ask the seller to sign and date the document.

- Always check the car's registration document (V5) to validate ownership and accuracy of the vehicle’s age and mileage. Does the condition of the car reflect its stated age and mileage?

- Check that the engine/chassis numbers match the documentation.

- Test drive the car - but ensure that appropriate insurance is obtained.

- Don’t rely on the MOT as evidence of a car's condition.

- Check beneath the bonnet and boot for oil leaks, welds, untidy seams or other evidence of accident repairs. Does the colour and texture of the paintwork match all over and are the lights and electrics in working order?

- Check for rust and paint bubbles particularly on the sills, wheel arches, seams, door bottoms and suspension mountings.

- The interior of a car can tell you a lot. A badly worn interior can indicate a high mileage.

- Buy a vehicle status check to see whether it’s been stolen, has been written off or has outstanding finance and get an independent vehicle examination to check it’s mechanically sound!