I've agreed to buy a 2nd hand car from a (main) dealer on the other side of the country next week.  The purchase is subject to test drive and inspection by me however I've driven this model at another dealership a couple of weeks ago so I know what to expect.  

 

Are there any checks I should do before I purchase?  Do I need HPI or similar when I buy from a dealer?  I intend to buy under finance and then repay early to take advantage of manufacturer offers.

 

Thanks in advance.......

Check you still have your watch and rings after shaking hands.

I think your checks will need to be more related to the mechanical condition of the car rather than financial stuff. If there are any issues that ever crop up with finance relating to the dealer it'll get sorted out quickly enough (happened to me once due to an error within Equifax).

 

Usual stuff otherwise, check lock to lock on steering, panel gaps, overspray round seals and under wheel arches, stone chips all over, bad scratches, kerbed wheels (laser cut stuff is an expensive PITA to fix). Check everything works inc steering wheel adjustment. Check interior for damage too (look at the binnacle I nearly had a stooshie with BMW with that, crack hidden by the steering wheel).

Check oil, check coolant for oil, Ac works, no funny smells, spare wheel etc if applicable.

 

But in reality they'll wheel the car out and you'll dribble, say "shiny shiny" get in and drive off. That's what happens to me anyway.

Just to add to what Aspman said which just about covers it all. Check under the boot floor for differences in spray coverage and wax protection as it would indicate a rear end shunt, same principles under the bonnet check the inner wings for any signs or repairs. As the paintwork and wheels won't be covered by the warranty check carefully for any signs of correction as dealers tend to do a cheap cover up that ends up washing off within a few months to unveil the scratches that had been covered over. Brake discs and wheel inners are great for showing up any cover up spray rather than a proper refurb. Check all electrical controls are working as they should. If low profiles check tyres for bulges and rips due to pot holes.

Not sure what mileage you are buying at but make sure any mileage related maintenance has been done and not just a stamp in the book i.e. cambelt and DSG gearbox 

 

Hope it's a good one and enjoy it.

Edited 17 March, 20179 yr by CWARD

Thank you very much gents, sound advice.  I think Aspman has hit the nail on the head with his last paragraph.......  shiny shiny and off I go.  And I'll be dissapointed with myself if that is what happens so I'll make a list before I go.  I'm not particularly mechanical but should be easy enough for me to look at panel gaps, around the wings, in the boot.  

 

Its a 2 year old Passat BiTDi on 25k if anyone was interested.   

 

Cheers.

 

Edited 17 March, 20179 yr by Hannibal

Very nice.

 

The BiTDI were like hens teeth when I was looking around.

Check everything works! Every single thing.

 

I discovered one headlight washer and the rear seat folding mechanism didn't work and it was a right pain taking it back to get it fixed.

 

Also check the security wheel nut key!

 

I only went to try the difference between a 1.6tdi and 2.0tdi Octavia, the 2.0tdi was very shiny!

Wheel nut key - Great shout!  

 

There are currently 14 BiTDi Estates on Autotrader, around 2 dozen on the VW site so certainly not a common car.  I was in the market for a Superb but they are holding their value so well at the moment that I cast the net a little wider and pleased that I did.  I will right up my thoughts in the review section once I have the car, for those that are interested. 

 

Thanks for the pointers.