What to look for when you see a vehicle
Here is a simple check list of things to take into account when you check a used vehicle that you are considering purchasing.
Firstly, look at the engine carefully, and see if you think it has been changed in any way. If there is any doubt on this or other points listed below then you are best to walk away from the sale. Remember that if you do spot something dodgy, you don't of course need to say to the person selling the vehicle that you think there is something dodgy with it! You can simply say you will think about the purchase.
Check that all the locks on the car open with the same key, and also check that there are no dents or bumps anywhere on the car. Is the petrol cap clearly the one the car came with, and are there two keys?
Look at the registration number of the vehicle, there is more information on this in another article in this section.
Some vehicles will have a Q registration number, which indicates one of several possibilities: the car has been imported without proof of age, has been rebuilt, or has unknown age or identity: for further information on why this is look at the V5C which should explain why it has a Q reg.
There are various elements that you should also check with regard to the identity of the car, and these include that all window etchings match each other, and that the seller knows all about the vehicle and its controls, because they should be very familiar having driven it day in day out for possibly several years!
There is a full checklist made available by the DVLA that you should print and read through and bring with you when it comes to inspecting the vehicle:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/@motor/documents/digitalasset/dg_186824.pdf
If you are not confident, then take someone else along with you and potentially a independent and qualified examiner to see the vehicle with you.
Related Articles...
Tips on passing your theory test
It is up to each individual who takes a theory test to do the necessary work and preparation to put themselves in the best position to pass the test.
Rather than attempting to 'cram' the night...
Oil in your car and oil pressure
Oil is not something that you might think is essential to the operation of a car, but infact it is. Oil acts as a lubricant for the moving parts such as the moving parts of the engine, and it is...
What to do at a box junction
The box junction is quite common but despite this there are a whole wide range of ways in which different drivers interpret what they are supposed to do at them so you will see different behaviours...
Reversing Exercises in the driving test
There are three reversing exercises that you could be tested on in the driving practical test.
You will be asked to perform two out of these three so that the person undertaking your test (the...
What to do when you sell a vehicle
When you sell a vehicle, there are some things that you have to do straight away. As soon as the vehicle is sold you have to tell the DVLA, which stands for the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency,...
Theory test case studies
One of the relatively new elements added to the driving theory test is what is called the case study element. This was introduced on 28th September 2009, and there is one case study in the theory...
Using head restraints
Your car will have head restraints in it, but do you take the time to adjust these before using the vehicle and ensuring they are set at the correct level for you? Head restraints in vehicles are...
Mock Driving Theory
On our Mock Driving Theory page you can practice no fewer than fifteen different mock tests.
Each of them...
Ways to drive in a greener way
There are several methods that you can employ to ensure that you drive in a green way. The advantages of this are that you consume less fuel pro rata so it is good for your bank balance too, and...
Medical rules and driving
There are a wide range of conditions that you can hold and still be a safe driver. However there are certain conditions that will may impact on your ability to be a safe driver and therefore could...
Back to home page of driving theory test questions
