Buying a car
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What
to watch out for Mechanical condition and safety
Assess the car in daylight. Take it for a test drive.
Our checklist gives an idea of what to look for, but take
someone with you if you don't know much about cars.
If a car has been in an accident, it may be unsafe. Sometimes,
two damaged cars are welded together to create a new one.
These are known as 'cut and shuts' and are almost certainly
unsafe.
There are companies that can tell you whether a car is
an insurance company write-off - you can usually find
details of these companies in motoring magazines.
Stolen cars
If you buy a stolen car, the police can take it from you
to return it to the original owner or the insurance company.
You will not get any compensation even though you bought
the car in good faith. You can sue the seller for your
losses but this might be difficult if you bought privately
and the seller has disappeared.
And if you bought the car on credit, you may still have
to pay off the loan it depends on the type of agreement
you have.
It can be hard to tell whether a car is stolen. Its identity
may have been changed. For example, the identity number
and number plate of a legitimate car may be transferred
to a stolen one. Vehicle registration documents can be
forged or obtained by fraud.
But there are tell-tale signs to look out for.
Warning signs:
• The seller can't produce the vehicle registration
document (V5) - a common excuse is that it has been
sent to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
for updating. This may be true for example, the seller
may have changed address recently. But be wary: it means
you cannot check the car's ownership and identity details;
• If the seller claims the car was bought very
recently and the V5 is with the DVLA for the change
of ownership to be recorded, the seller should have
a green slip (this applies only to cars issued with
V5s from March 1997);
• There are spelling mistakes or alterations to
the V5, or it does not have a watermark;
the name and address on the V5 are different to those
on the seller's driving licence, passport, or recent
gas or electricity bill;
• The three main identifying numbers listed below
don't match the numbers on the V5: the vehicle registration
mark (the number plate)the vehicle identification number
(VIN) - this can be found on a metal VIN plate, usually
in the engine compartment, and stamped into the bodywork
under the bonnet and the driver's seat. As a security
measure some cars have the VIN etched on their windows
or lamps the engine number;
• The engine and VIN numbers have been tampered
with areas of glass may have been scratched off the
windows, or stickers may cover up etching which has
been altered;
the seller cannot show you the insurance policy for
the car.
• Use the checklist to help you spot the signs
of a stolen car.
Cars still owned by a credit company
A car bought on hire purchase or conditional sale belongs
to the finance company until the payments have been completed.
If you buy such a car, the lender can take it back. You
can sue whoever sold you the car, but only if you can
find them.
There are only a few exceptions to this. If you were not
aware the car was subject to an outstanding credit agreement
and bought it in good faith, you may be allowed to keep
it. This does not apply to stolen cars or cars which are
subject to a hire agreement. You will need professional
advice on this.
There are companies that can tell you if a car is clear
of any outstanding finance deals -you can usually find
details of such companies in motoring magazines. If you
are buying from a dealer, ask whether this check has already
been carried out.
Clocked cars
Low mileage can be a selling point, but the clock can
be turned back to reduce the number of miles shown. Sellers
sometimes protect themselves by covering up the mileometer
or issuing a disclaimer saying that the mileage may be
wrong. To be valid, such a disclaimer must be at least
as noticeable as the mileage reading and as effectively
brought to your attention.
If the mileage is low but wear and tear on the car looks
heavy, the car could have been 'clocked'. Clockers sometimes
change pedal rubbers, steering wheels and gear knobs to
hide this. Another sign is that the mileometer numbers
don't line up correctly.
There are several ways you can find out about the history
of the car:
• Check MOT certificates and service documentation
for mileage readings taken by mechanics;
• Contact previous owners named on the V5 and ask
what the mileage was when they sold the car;
• Get mileage information from companies that research
the car's history (you can find these in motoring magazines);
• If buying from a dealer, ask whether the dealer
has used trade-only database companies such as IMVA
and VMC to check mileage.
• Sellers sometimes protect themselves by covering
up the mileage reading or issuing a disclaimer saying
the mileage may be wrong.
• To be valid, the disclaimer must be at least
as noticeable as the mileage reading and as effectively
brought to your attention.
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