WHAT CHECKS DO WE PERFORM BEFORE WE OFFER A CAR FOR
There seems to be an
increasing fashion for used car schemes to boast 50, 100 or even 250+
individual checks upon a vehicle before it is sold. Whilst these are no doubt
good marketing messages that provide a sense of reassurance, when one looks in
detail at what these numbers mean, some of these checks become meaningless in
the context of what individuals are actually concerned with. For example, under
some schemes checking that the doors open is four ‘checks’ and ensuring the
vehicle has number plates is another two, and most people could have assessed
that kind of obvious detail for themselves.
In assessing our vehicles we
are therefore not only guided by a fixed number of operations, but also by a
desire to have performed sufficient checks to address the principle concerns of
our customers.
Put in everyday terms we
perform sufficient checks to be able to explicitly answer the following
questions;
Static concerns
·
Are all the
electrical components working properly
·
Does the alarm
and central locking work
·
Do all the lights
work
·
Are the radio/CD
or Sat-Nav system okay
·
What is the
condition of the paintwork and interior
·
Are all the wheel
changing tools and spare present
·
Is something
expensive about to break
·
Are there any
bits missing that should be there
·
Is there anything
odd or unusual about it
·
Does it have any
oil or fluid leaks and are the levels okay
·
Does it smell
funny
·
If I had a
puncture would I have all the tools I need to replace the wheel
Driving issues
·
Does it start in
the morning
·
Is there anything
wrong with the engine
·
Is the air
conditioning and engine cooling system as it should be
·
Does it drive as
it should without making any unusual noises
·
Does it brake in
a straight line
·
Do the gears and
clutch feel okay
·
Are all the
safety systems such as traction control and ABS in order
Documentation &
Legal Issues
·
Are all the
documents present and is anything missing
·
Does the chassis
number (VIN) match the one on the log book (V5) and the one held by the DVLA
·
Are there any
gaps in the service history
·
When is the next
service due and how long is the MOT valid
·
Has it ever been
in any accidents or been stolen
·
Is there any
finance still outstanding
Careful reading of our
individual listings will demonstrate that we explicitly address every one of
the above potential concerns, however, in addition to these every specific
model has its own particular features and common faults that require extra
investigation and these are incorporated into the main appraisal.
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