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27th March 2015
04:00pm GMT

Roadworthy
Check the tyres out – are they roadworthy? Also check out the gear stick, steering wheel and pedal rubbers for wear and tear.
Changing hands
You can check if this car has been changing hands a lot through Motortax.ie. The site offers a service to show if a registration certificate has been issued in the last three months.
While you’re there, ensure the seller’s ID matches the logbook details and if not – find out why not.
Check the paintwork
If you decide to buy the car privately – though this would not be recommended – make sure to do so in daylight. This will allow you to check the consistency of the paintwork and show any evidence of repainting.
Check out the trunk
Open the boot and check to see if it's damp. Lift the carpet up to see if the spare wheel and the appropriate tools are all there.
In a line
Make sure the boot closes and lines up properly with the back bumper. Then, go to the front of the car and from the bonnet, look down over the car to see if the bumpers, panels and doors all line up.
There'll be more tips next week to help you buy a second-hand car.Explore more on these topics: