Buying guide

What to look for when viewing and test driving a car

Here’s what you need to know to maximise the effectiveness of this stage of your car buying process.

Be thorough

Undertake a visual inspection of the exterior; look for rust, bubbling paintwork, scratches, panels or doors which don’t line up (potentially indicating a crash), and chips in the windscreen.
Inside, look for water damage or ripped areas. Try out all the seats and check they’re comfortable. Make sure there aren’t any bad smells coming from the inside.
If you have car knowledge, check the engine; look for cracks and check liquids – or get an expert to have a look.
Ask the owner or dealer if there’s anything you should know about the car and request to see service records – ethically, they’re obliged to inform you of any issues.
Consumer information notice (CIN) must be displayed on any car that a dealer is selling. Here's our guide to CINs and how to read them.

Before heading out, check the registration and Warrant of Fitness (WoF) are up to date. If not, you could be fined.
If the car is being sold privately, it may also be wise to check the owner’s insurance covers you.
On the test drive, try the car on a hill, urban roads and the open road/motorway to gauge performance. See how steadily it maintains a straight line or if it pulls to one side slightly, how comfortable it is to turn the steering wheel and if the power steering is effective.
On the road, feel how the car handles corners and take note of anything that seems strange.
Be sure to park it in the type of spot you’d regularly park in.
Make sure that all doors and windows work and that the key works in all the doors.
Check to see if the lights, camera and other electric features, including the air conditioning and heating are working properly.

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