USED CAR GUIDE Here’s the lowdown on exactly what you need to check
Does the oil warning light go out as soon as the engine starts?
Any signs of excessive visible exhaust emissions?
Does the clutch operate normally? A noise when you press the pedal or a high biting point could mean that repairs will be required soon.
Is the catalytic converter in good condition? Look for a re- cent emissions test, either alone or as part of an MOT. This will confirm that emissions are within the stringent limits applied to modern cars.
Is there sludge on the underside of the oil filler cap? This could indicate poor servicing or predominantly short journey use.
Is the oil level right? Too low shows neglect; too high could be a clue that the engine is using oil but it could just have been over filled in error.
Has the cam belt been replaced according to the service schedule? Do all the locks, including central locking and remote control, work properly?
Do all windows, including any sunroof, open/close normally?
Any signs of forced entry, damaged or different locks, sug- gesting they’ve been replaced?
Have you got all the right keys? Check the handbook to see which keys were provided when the car was new. Modern keys are expensive to replace, particularly the coloured ‘master’ key provided by some manufacturers to programme new spare keys to the car.
Are locking wheel nuts fitted? Check that the special adapter required is included with the tool kit. Make sure it fits too.