MOT Test

The MOT tests some important items on the car to make sure that they meet legal requirements. The components of the car that are checked include the body and vehicle structure, the fuel system, the brakes, any ABS or ESC systems attached to the brakes and the wheels and tyres, including tyre tread depths. The condition of the bonnet, doors, external mirrors and the boot are checked. The steering and suspension components, the windscreen and its wipers, the cleanliness of the headlights and their effectiveness at night, are all part of the test. Within the cabin, the speedometer, seat belts, air bag warning lights and driver’s seat are inspected. The horn is even part of the test, so your car will fail if it’s not in full working order.

Final Word

The car MOT is different from the MOT for taxis, minibuses and other types of vehicles, but all MOTs are equally important. The test has evolved dramatically since it was introduced in 1960 to keep up with the evolution of the car and because of legislative changes. Some of the recent changes have come about since the UK became a member state of the European Union. The MOT test will always evolve, but its purpose will remain to make safer roads for British motorists.

The test drive

It should go without saying, but when allowing a potential buyer to test drive your car, always accompany him or her. If you let the person drive it away unaccompanied, they may never come back. Also, never leave your keys in the ignition and then leave the car with the buyer, even for a moment. A skilled car thief can make off with your vehicle before you have time to turn around. Unless the buyer is someone you know and trust, always have the possibility at the back of your mind that they might be a thief, though obviously you shouldn’t tell them that, as they might take offence.

Payment

When selling a car, cash is always best, but because of the sums involved, some people may be wary of carrying that amount of cash around with them. Most private individuals are not equipped to accept credit or debit card payments, which just leaves cheques and bankers’ drafts as alternative methods of payment. If you should decide to accept these, always ask to see some form of identification. Ideally, you should not part with the car until the payment has cleared. Check with your bank if you have any doubt. After all, there is nothing to stop someone giving a false name and address and then making off with your car, leaving you with only a bounced cheque.

Before considering the various car credit options available, first work out how much of a loan you will need. It will certainly cost more in the end to purchase a new car on a full loan, so make a larger deposit if you are able. Also, consider the length of the loan and the size of the repayments. A lower monthly amount will take longer to pay off and you may only plan to keep the car for a shorter period.

There are a few different finance options available; the first of these is called a conditional sale. This means that a deposit is needed at the time of purchase while the remaining costs, including interest, are paid monthly until you become the owner.

The second option is a personal contract purchase. This involves repaying a loan over two to four years. Whilst you are using the car, it is still owned by the dealer. Though essentially leasing, the customer has the right to purchase the vehicle at the end of the loan for the predicted value price that was previously agreed between the customer and the dealer.

Part exchange car deals can be arranged if you would rather drive something different at the end of the loan period. The benefit here is the possibility of having a new car every couple of years whilst retaining low monthly repayments.

Finally, there is the personal lease option. The customer rents the car for the length of the agreement and the returns it to be replaced with a new one. This is the simplest option, with no extra costs and the added bonus of not seeing the car depreciate.

When buying a used car, consider the tax bracket it falls into.  Think about the annual cost of a tax disc as opposed to a six month licence – the six month licence works out much more expensive than taking out the annual one.

Insurance can be a major stumbling block too.  Some used cars’ insurance can be very reasonable, taking into account the vehicles age, condition, status of the driver and the number of miles driven each year.  However, when looking at insurance policies that offer monthly payments, look at what charges for credit are applied and shop around for the best deal.  Comprehensive policies are not always more expensive than third party policies, and in certain circumstances it may not be possible to get third party cover anyway.

Always consider the cost of fuel.  It rarely goes down, so consideration should be given to the relative merits of diesel, petrol, LPG and hybrid used cars.  A higher initial buying cost may be recouped over the years with lower fuel costs.

Finally, don’t forget about maintenance and servicing.  If a car dealer offers an attractive car service and support package then look at it carefully.  It may save money in the long run.

Paintwork damage is a pain, but it needn’t cost much to repair. If you can find out the type of paint that was used to paint your car, then you can buy some touch up paint. A close match will do for most minor nicks to the paint. Simple apply using a fine brush and if needed, apply a top finish after the paint dries. Another do it yourself solution to car damage concerns damaged light fixtures. A flying stone can crack or break the light covers. Get hold of some automotive tape from a car bodyshop – this tape is designed specifically for the purpose and is an easy short term solution. Eventually the fixture will need replacement but in the mean time this stops water from getting in.

Once your list has been reduced to a manageable amount of cars you can begin comparing in greater detail the plus and minus points of the cars remaining.  Many car sites will actually have a facility that allows you to compare one car directly with another, looking at issues such as safety, reliability, fuel consumption, running costs and many other aspects of car ownership.

Car reviews can be an extremely useful way of helping you decide if you want a used Ford or Audi, Honda or Hyundai or any other combination you can provide.  The sites are usually independent online magazines so no bias is normally present in assisting with your decision.

Check with your bank and a couple of other banks to determine your finance options. A car dealer can offer you a car loan, but it is always better to see what you may qualify for independently from a dealer. Pre-approval from your bank or another bank may show you that the car dealer has a better offer.

Most individuals who are car shopping have an idea of the car they are interested in. It is possible for you to check online guides or magazines to determine the current value for the vehicle. Note that the dealer value for a trade in will be lower than the retail price they charge. The retail price is what you must consider when making a purchase.

Vehicle mileage is an important factor when buying used from a car dealer or in a private sale. A car three years or younger will most likely have 45,000 or fewer miles on it. Most vehicles are driven 10,000 to 15,000 miles per year. A vehicle that is ten years old with 45,000 miles may require you to ask the question if the mileage has turned over.

It is best to ask the current owner about their driving habits or check with the records the car dealer has. Dealers have access to car facts that tell them about accidents or maintenance repairs that have been conducted on the vehicle, thus it is easier to buy with confidence.

The first thing to do when you are thinking to ‘sell my Vauxhall’ is to give the car a thorough clean, both inside and out.  Nasty smells from takeaway food can linger, so try to ensure that your car always has a suitable air freshener, and when you clean inside give the interiors a thorough shampoo.  Clean out all ashtrays and dispose of unwanted crisp packets and other bits of rubbish.  Hoover the car; if the motor has been used to transport animals, both hairs and bad smells will deter any potential buyer.

Make sure that the exterior is bright and shiny.  First of all, wash the car with soap and water and then give it a thorough waxing; this should bring up a beautiful sheen to the exterior bodywork.  Give the wheels a good once over with a thorough brushing; mud on the wheels is not a selling point.  Make sure that the glass is sparkling; this applies to the mirrors as well as to the windows.  There are many proprietary products on the market that will enhance the exterior appearance of your car.

With a BMW, a buyer will be specifically interested in the motoring costs; these include petrol or diesel consumption and confirmation that the service history is up to date.  When a seller asks what car valuation is the most accurate, the easiest way to determine this question is to shop around.  Many of today’s online car valuations sites ask that the car’s registration number is entered and then the software used by that specific site will calculate its value.  Why not try using a couple of these sites in order to see if the given value is the same each time?

Alternatively, get your car appraised by a local garage and then compare their findings with the prices advertised of similar models.

There are a few models that hold their value more than others when it comes to the Audi A6. The diesel models are more common in the UK. This also allows these models to hold their value better. The 138bhp TDI 2.0 litre engine performs decently, however it has been suggested the 178bhp 2.7 litre engine with a V6 has a smoother performance.

In terms of running costs for the Audi A6, the 2.0 diesel provides 44.8 miles per gallon where the petrol engine only offers 34.5mpg. It is important to consider the diesel versus petrol cost at the pump when deciding on a used Audi with a diesel or petrol engine. Diesel is more expensive, but the A6 tends to use less. Additionally, the 2008 Audi A6 provides the best emissions in terms of road tax. Servicing costs for the A6 when compared to other used Audi series and other used cars on the market are comparable. It means the repair costs are no greater with the Audi or another vehicle than the A6.