Car buying is never simple, but with our tips and tricks plus free car buying help sheet you can make it easier. If you are looking to buy a car and want to know what the experts do, check out the free PDF too.
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Expert Car Buying Tips
Explore our comprehensive guide to buying cars, written by industry experts. Gain valuable insights on choosing the perfect vehicle, negotiating deals, and avoiding common pitfalls. Download your free PDF today and embark on a journey towards owning your ideal car.
01
Check for accident damage
A paint depth gauge is a must have if you buying a car. It gives you the ability to check the thickness of the paint across the car. If the numbers fluctuate a lot then the paint isn't even. From factory cars are sprayed in equal measure and so paint depth should be within 10% all over.
Top tip - check the inside edge of the door shut, this area is painted at factory but is covered by the door, so it is a good base reading to compare the rest of the car from.
02
Seen a dent? You need a magnet
Car companies are looking at every way possible to reduce weight. However some metals and composite materials are tough for dent repair and can be very expensive, while steel is easier to work on. A cheap magnet may seem like an odd answer. However, if you see a dent and your magnetic sticks, its a steel panel, but if it doesn't then it probably is a metal or composite panel and that dent may be very expensive to repair, knowing this when you buy means you can negotiate better.
03
Tire Depth
Cheap tires are one of the most common signals a car has been run on a tight budget. But just because the brand is premium, doesn't mean the tyre is good. Check the date stamp on the side to see how old a tire is (see picture, the last two are the year, first two the week) and then use a depth measure gauge across the tire to make sure it is wearing evenly and has lots of tread left or you could be facing an expensive bill.
04
OBD scanner
Having access to a cars on-board diagnostics (OBD) can tell you more in a couple of minutes than you could learn in a couple of hours. The options are endless from top level equipment a garage would use to a cheap basic hand help, we've suggested one of the brands in the middle.
