Experts warn anyone buying a second-hand car that they face driving ban and £10,000 fine – 3 easy checks keep you safe
SECOND-HAND car buyers could face a £10,000 fine if they don’t carry out three simple checks, a motors expert has revealed.
As used car prices continue to drop, many Brits looking for a cheap motor may think they need to act quick when spotting a four-wheeled bargain.
But before saying goodbye to your hard earned money, road safety experts at etyres have said that ignoring three easy steps before buying could land you in a financial nightmare, reports the Birmingham Mail.
The three things to check are the car’s MOT history, tyre tread and service history.
The tyre firm’s operations director, Richard Croft, said: “When considering buying a used car, it’s essential to undertake thorough checks.
“Begin by verifying the MOT status through the gov.uk MOT history service to prevent a potential £1,000 fine.
“Don’t forget to find out the tyre condition of a vehicle before agreeing on the sale to avoid having to unexpectedly pay out on average £400 for a new set of mid-range tyres.
“Pay close attention to tyre tread, pressure and examine the general tyre condition, including signs of wear, bulges, or punctures.”
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CHECK THE MOT STATUS
They suggested that the MOT needs to be checked before buying because a lot of cheap used whips don’t have a current one, which could mean a fine of £1,000 when taking the car out for a spin.
Luckily some websites offer an MOT check for free, so anyone who needs to complete one can do it on DVLA’s site – it will also check any previous failures.
DON’T DRIVE WITH DANGEROUS TYRES
One of the most important – and often overlooked – checks is the whip’s tyres, as worn down wheels hold some of the highest fines.
Tyre tread depths must be no shorter than 1.6mm because if they’re any shorter it will mean they can’t disperse water or dirt – which could lead to a fatal crash.
A maximum fine of £10,000 can be issued to anyone cruising around with worn out tyres.
CHECK THE SERVICE HISTORY
Used car buyers have also been recommended to check the motor’s service history as it can indicate how well the last owner looked after the car.
The tyre firm published a study that revealed 70 per cent of second-hand cars do not have details on how cared for they were – which means new owners have no idea of the car’s history.
Finally, they noted that if a car you want to buy does not have a service history then it’s a good opportunity to haggle for a cheaper price.
This comes after an ex-Top Gear host urged Brits to hold off from buying a second car as prices continue to tumble.
Quentin Willson, who presented the hit show with Jeremy Clarkson in the 1990s, has urged punters to delay buying a used car.
DON'T FORGET THE THREE CHECKS
When picking up a used-motor the three checks are simple to do and easy to remember, but not completing them could have hefty consequences.
First check: Make sure the car has a valid MOT, if it doesn’t then you could be hit with a fine of £1,000 just for driving it, certain websites – like the DVLA’s – will allow you to complete a free check on any second-hand car.
Second check: The health of the car’s tyres can lead to fatal accidents if not maintained correctly, each tyre’s tread length must be at least 1.6mm or fines of £10,000 can be issued.
Third check: Do a deep dive of the car’s history, the only legitimate way to see it is by checking the car’s service book – which should be provided to you by the old owner.
If the owner does not have one and you still want to risk it, make sure to try and haggle the price.