I am not a Petrolhead
I am not recreationally interested in cars. To me a car is a functional means of getting from A to B. Driving is a necessity to enable freedom. Having said all of this though life is simpler if you are driving a car that is good to drive.
Over time and evolution, age and divaness I have worked out some requisites that I like in a car. My basic needs are aircon, leather heated seats and ideally automatic. It also has to be a bit nippy. I like to have a bit oomph.
Being new isn't necessary either. I would always be inclined to buy a used car. Something that has been worn in by another person so it doesn't smell of plastic and newness.
As I am absolutely not bothered I like to outsource the research and purchase to my Chinook pilot other half, aka Hagar the Horrible, who is without doubt a petrolhead. He is completely bothered and spends hours looking at used cars for fun. Is he mad? I often wonder.
Anyway, this is what he said;
"What do I look for when buying a used car?
1.First impressions - how does the car look when you arrive to buy it? Polished/clean/tyres blacked up?
2.How does it look inside when you first sit in it, how does it smell?
3.How does the engine sound when you first start it up? Quick/easy to start, running smoothly?
4.How does it drive when you take it for a test drive? Smooth/no strange noises/good gearbox/steering smooth?
5.Does everything work as advertised? Sun roof/windows/switches/horn etc etc?
6.Does it have a BANGING STEREO?
7.Is it in date MOT and taxed?
8.Most important of all - does it have a good Service History? Plenty of receipts and invoices to back this up - ie is it genuine?
9.Does the Vehicle Identity Number (VIN) plate match the ownership document (V5)? Has the VIN been tampered with?
10.Does the vehicle check out with a vehicle history check (costs money but worth it!) which checks if it has been written off or has outstanding credit.
If 1-10 check out and it is the car I want, at a good price and it does what I want it to do and I consider it is worth buying!
Then starts the price negotiations..."
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