When a bargain becomes a burden

That used bargain could turn into a real burden if you are not careful.

That used bargain could turn into a real burden if you are not careful.

Published Dec 28, 2010

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Getting a car through a Roadworthy can be a doddle, but many people have bought what they considered a good, cheap vehicle only to find that to put right the faults required for a pass have made their buy more burden than bargain.

I have mentioned several times in this column some of the steps to take when buying a used, or as they call it these days, "pre-owned" vehicle.

Anyway, call them what you will, buying used needs care and in some cases nerves of steel - the more so if it's a private sale.

We can all see obvious faults. A cracked headlamp may cause a roadworthy test failure and some lights are horrendously pricey.

Oil leaks, depending on their location, can be hard or easy to fix, but watch out for leaking head gaskets as renewal takes a lot of time and labour.

If in doubt get a garage or RWC tester to stick the probe of an exhaust gas analyser (above coolant level) into the expansion tank to see if there are any unwanted gases.

A decent test drive, whether carried out by the prospective buyer or a knowledgeable mechanic is also a good bet.

He or she should look for smooth power delivery, quiet running, no clutch judder and positive steering without pull either way on a surface with no camber.

Other fairly obvious faults would be transmission noises, overheating (hence the longish test drive!) and defective brakes. All door windows - especially electric ones - must open and close properly.

A windscreen with damage that impedes driver's vision will cause a Roadworthy failure.

Lights, wipers and washers should all be tested and, obviously, tyres must have plenty of tread and no wall damage.

One thing that is sometimes overlooked, the more so if the vehicle is being bought in the summer months, is the heater. Things to look out for are dampness or stains on the foot wells which might indicate either a screen seal leak, or a damaged/worn heater matrix.

The latter can be reasonably easy to reach and replace if it is accessible from under the bonnet, but if an air-conditioner matrix is in the way, the job gets a lot more complicated and expensive.

Removing the dash to get at the matrix on some cars is not a job for the faint hearted.

A pressure test should be carried out if a matrix leak is suspected. While the test is being done, listen for air escaping from the heater flaps.

The matrix is a hardy component and generally gives several years' service with no trouble. But if the car is more than a few years old don't take anything for granted.

A verifiable service history is a great asset, but still no excuse for neglecting a thorough vetting.

The main rule when buying used is not to hurry. Check and list any faults and get a genuine quote on how much they would cost to put right.

You might then be able to haggle with the vendor and get the price down enough to cover any necessary repair work.

Above all, if in doubt seek professional advice. The couple of hundred bucks it costs could save you thousands.

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