{"id":743,"date":"2017-03-01T13:03:57","date_gmt":"2017-03-01T13:03:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scrapcarnetwork.org\/news\/?p=743"},"modified":"2020-04-09T13:52:44","modified_gmt":"2020-04-09T12:52:44","slug":"check-buying-replacement-scrap-car","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scrapcarnetwork.org\/news\/check-buying-replacement-scrap-car\/","title":{"rendered":"What To Check When Buying A Replacement For Your Scrap Car"},"content":{"rendered":"

So you\u2019ve made the leap. \u201cI\u2019m going to scrap my car.\u201d you\u2019ve decided. It\u2019s likely, then, that you\u2019re already thinking about getting a replacement vehicle, and unless you\u2019ve bought hundreds of cars before, you might not be a dab hand at the negotiating process. That\u2019s OK, few people are! That\u2019s why we\u2019ve compiled a handy guide on how to check out your new vehicle, ready to take over once you\u2019ve scrapped your car.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a rundown of our checklist of what to look out for when buying a used car:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Check the paintwork for any rust spots, dents or scratches.<\/li>\n
  2. Check the spare tyre to make sure it\u2019s not bald.<\/li>\n
  3. Check the wheels are properly aligned.<\/li>\n
  4. Check the underside of the car for any rust.<\/li>\n
  5. Make sure the upholstery isn\u2019t unduly damaged.<\/li>\n
  6. Ensure the air con and heating systems work.<\/li>\n
  7. Check the electronics (such as the headlights).<\/li>\n
  8. Check the engine for dents or damage.<\/li>\n
  9. Check the hoses and belts are intact and working.<\/li>\n
  10. Look out for any leaks or corrosion.<\/li>\n
  11. Check the oil levels.<\/li>\n
  12. Ensure there\u2019s no foam on the oil filler cap.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    If that sounds like a lot, don’t worry! If you just do it all methodically, it’ll start to come naturally anyway. Here, let’s walk you through it.<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Look at the bodywork<\/h2>\n

    \"Checking<\/p>\n

    Before you do anything else, make sure that you\u2019re inspecting the car on level ground. That way, you can accurately judge if anything\u2019s sticking out at a funny angle, which might be trickier if you\u2019re viewing it on a hill or some other angled ground. Let\u2019s start with the most obvious thing \u2013 take a careful look at the paintwork, and check for damages or scratches that weren\u2019t mentioned in the advert. Even if you\u2019re not dead fussed about the paintwork \u2013 a possibility if you\u2019re buying second-hand \u2013 chipped paintwork could be an indicator that the car hasn\u2019t been treated well in other ways, so can be a helpful early warning for you if you\u2019re on the lookout. Keep your eyes peeled for any rust spots, dents or scratches, and make sure the boot is OK.<\/p>\n

    Speaking of the boot, if the car has a spare tyre make sure to check it\u2019s not bald or damaged. If it is then it\u2019s useless, and you definitely shouldn\u2019t be being charged for it. The tyres on the wheels should be worn evenly and should all match \u2013 none should be \u2018feathered\u2019 or misaligned. If you can, it\u2019s a good plan to inspect the exhaust system or the underside of the car for any under-body rust (we find it\u2019s easier to do this when there\u2019s a jack involved, by the way). Better safe than sorry!<\/p>\n

    Taking a look under the bonnet<\/h3>\n

    \"checking<\/p>\n

    You might well be more confident with what you\u2019re doing here. The upholstery is the place to start \u2013 make sure they\u2019re not stained, damaged or torn. Give the air con and heating systems a decent blast respectively, to check that they\u2019re in good working order, and it\u2019s a good opportunity to check that all the other electronics are working too \u2013 not least the controls for the headlights on the car, for example. Under the mats in the footwells is a known spot for rust to hide, too, which could be expensive if you don\u2019t catch it in time.<\/p>\n

    Then it\u2019s the big daddy: the engine. You\u2019re looking for dents, damage or rust, and while you\u2019re at it none of the hoses and belts should have any cracks either. If they do, you might have another scrap car on your hands sooner than you bargained for. Also be on the lookout for any leaks or corrosion, and have a ganders at the brake fluid and reservoir to make sure it\u2019s not leaking. Sniff around a bit for the smell of burnt oil or antifreeze, and check the oil levels \u2013 oil should be clean and plentiful. If there\u2019s foam residue on the oil filler cap, by the way, that\u2019s less than ideal (a phrase which here means: catastrophically bad), so that\u2019s definitely one to be certain of before you finish your engine check.<\/p>\n

    Key Points To Remember Before You Scrap Your Car<\/h3>\n

    \"scrap<\/p>\n

    Finally, make sure nothing\u2019s been modified \u2013 whether for racing or otherwise \u2013 and if there\u2019s anything you\u2019re unsure of, don\u2019t be afraid to ask. You\u2019re the one who\u2019s paying the money, after all, and you\u2019re not looking to make friends, despite what the salesman might want you to think. Acting offended in the face of hard questioning is a very old sales trick, so don\u2019t fall for it!<\/p>\n

    Before you do all that, though, first you\u2019ve got to scrap your car<\/a>. Happily, here\u2019s where we can help even more directly; Scrap Car Network is one of the largest partnerships of scrap car dealers in the whole of the UK. Not only can we get you the best price, but you can give to charity as you do it! Click here to find out how<\/u><\/a>, or alternatively you can get started right away by entering your postcode and car reg onto our website.<\/p>\n

    Don\u2019t forget to follow us on Twitter: @ScrapCarNetwork<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    So you\u2019ve made the leap. \u201cI\u2019m going to scrap my car.\u201d you\u2019ve decided. It\u2019s likely, then, that you\u2019re already thinking about getting a replacement vehicle, and unless you\u2019ve bought hundreds of cars before, you might not be a dab hand at the negotiating process. That\u2019s OK, few people are! That\u2019s why we\u2019ve compiled a handy […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":113,"featured_media":745,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[16,1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n