(i) Country of Origin
To save money on the costs of new cars over recent years, many people bought imports from the EC, (This is less common now as UK prices have fallen).
Although these cars are often to the same specification, they can be worth less than UK equivalent cars as finishing and parts may be different or more difficult to get hold of. There may also be a problem with warranty claims on nearly new cars.
"In most cases import cars are just as good as UK cars"
In most cases import cars are just as good as UK cars, however, it is crucial to know what you are buying before parting with your money.
If the car you are looking at is an import, make sure the price reflects any potential future issues this may cause.
(ii) V5 Documentation
Does the car you are buying have a valid V5 document? If not then do not buy it. Since October 2002 it has been illegal to sell a car without a valid V5.
The document outlines who is responsible for keeping the car on the road, not necessarily the legal owner. It lists the registration number (number plates) and VIN number (found under the bonnet and other places); if these do not match those on the car then it is almost certainly a stolen or dodgy car.
V5 documents are easily replaced by the true owner of a car, so if a seller claims the documents are lost, refuse to buy the car until you have seen and checked the documents.
(iii) Past History
How do you know if the car you are buying has been previously stolen, written off and rebuilt, or if money is still owed on it? You don’t, but you can check.
History checks such as those carried out by HpiCheck or the AA look at all available records and data to determine whether a car has been recorded as stolen or rebuilt, and can even check the validity of the mileage and MOT. In some cases they can even tell you the approximate value of a car, to help you know whether you are getting a good deal or not.
These checks cost from as little £30-40, and can sometimes mean the difference between buying a good car, and buying a stolen write-off.
Most companies that carry out the checks will also insure you for up to £10,000 if the information they provide is wrong and you lose out financially.
