Young car buyers beware

RAC Inspections is backing Trading Standards (TSI) warning to young motorists about death trap motor vehicles and is calling parents and guardians to be actively involved in the used car buying decision.

The recent findings of the undercover operation by Trading Standards Institute and Hertfordshire police, revealed that five out of eight second-hand lower-priced vehicles – the kind a young first time motorist may purchase - were not safe to be driven.

Research by RAC Inspections supports these findings, with an alarming three quarters of the used cars inspected by the RAC having faults that would cause the car to fail an MOT and a further one in three having potentially dangerous or illegal faults.
Comments Nicola Johnson, Manager for RAC Inspections: “Youngsters or first timers looking for a used car bargain are entering a minefield and are unlikely to have the right level of knowledge to know what to look for. This is where a mechanically minded friend or family member can help. Better still, parents or guardians would be wise to invest in an independent vehicle inspection which could ultimately save money or even a life. Over half of the vehicles we checked had more than 10 faults. Even if they weren’t a risk to motorists’ safety, over 80 per cent of those with faults would cost more than £200 to fix, a headache a first-time motorist could truly do without.”

Peter Stratton, TSI lead officer for the motor trade said of its undercover operation and survey: “The poor condition of vehicles is a common contributory factor in road traffic accidents and this new survey shows that there are a lot of death-trap vehicles on the market. For every accident we can prevent by urging drivers to get cars checked before they buy, the better.”

“It is vital that used car buyers know what to look for, both under the bonnet and externally. Sadly, and more often than not, dangerous faults can only easily be spotted by a trained eye,” concludes Nicola Johnson, Manager of RAC Inspections.

For those who have no one to turn to for advice, for just £5 an RAC Car Data Check will establish whether a used car is stolen, an insurance write-off, has outstanding finance or has had previous plates. As a bare minimum, this could help reduce the chances of a first-time car buyer, buying a nightmare.

The RAC Inspection Buyers Checklist

Do your research, there are lots of reviews available
Pick a good time to view the car, preferably daylight, street lighting can hide a multitude of sins
Pick a good location, it should always be the registered keepers home address if buying privately
Check the bodywork and tyres
Test the electrics
Look under the bonnet, be wary of a warm engine and remember to check fluid levels
Inspect the interior
Take it for a test drive, but ensure that the vehicle has a valid MOT certificate beforehand
Don’t get emotionally attached
Get the vehicle mechanically checked and make sure you complete an RAC Car Data Check

To conduct an RAC Inspection: log on to rac.co.uk/web/vehiclechecks/examination

To conduct an RAC Car Data Check: log on to rac.co.uk/web/vehiclechecks/status_checks/