Arranging Professional Checks

Buying a car is a major financial undertaking, and even if you're confident about checking the mechanical condition of the car, there are still many other aspects that cannot be so easily verified.

• Another quarter of a million vehicles are written off each year after accidents. However, many of them are illegally repaired and offered for re-sale, usually in a highly dangerous condition.
• Over 375,000 vehicles are reported missing or stolen each year in the UK; many of which go on to have their identities altered before being sold on to an unsuspecting person. However, if you buy one of these vehicles, it could be taken and returned to the rightful owner, which means that you'll lose the car and the money you paid for it.
• Two thirds of all new vehicles sold are bought on finance; if you buy a car with any outstanding finance on it, you could be liable for the unsettled debt.

1. Mechanical Inspections

Many of us may be daunted by the thought of checking over a car's mechanical condition, so it's worth considering using the services of the professionals who can inspect the car thoroughly and give you a written report on its status. Although such inspections aren't cheap (ranging from £100 to £400 depending on the age and size of the car), this could be an awful lot less that you'd have to pay out if you bought a car that turned out to be a wreck. You may be able be eligible for a discounted vehicle check if you're a member of a major breakdown organisation.

Vehicle checks are a comprehensive structural and mechanical inspection, featuring a road test and visual examination of components that includes:

• Bodywork
• Brakes
• Cooling systems
• Driveshaft
• Engine
• Interior trim
• Steering
• Suspension
• Tyres
• Underbody
• Wheels

Many professional vehicle inspections will also include a vehicle status check (see below) to ensure that the car is not stolen, a write-off or has outstanding finance on it.

However, not all cars may be eligible for a professional vehicle check, and so you may need to employ the services of a local mechanic to inspect imports, cars over 7 years old, prestige cars, classic cars or high performance vehicles.

A somewhat cheaper alternative to a professional vehicle inspection is an MOT ; this will ensure that the car is fully roadworthy and will establish if there are any serious faults with the vehicle.

2. Vehicle Data Checks

You can check certain information that DVLA holds on its database about a vehicle either online (for free) or using a premium rate telephone service (website address and telephone details may be found here ). The information includes:

• year of manufacture
• date of first registration
• colour
• engine capacity
• vehicle excise duty rate
• expiry date of the current tax disc/SORN declaration (known as the date of liability)

3. Vehicle Status Checks

Private vehicle check companies can offer an extended service to the one that DVLA offers, and will include...

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