DEAN JAMES

mrdjames@btopenworld.com 078 999 687 32

WHAT CHECKS DO WE PERFORM BEFORE WE OFFER A CAR FOR SALE?

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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