Ensure that the body of the car is not too fatigued before putting down your money

Inspect the windscreen
In a modern car the windscreen helps to keep the driver and passengers safe from the windblast at high speed. Check for cracks in the glass of the windscreen. If there are any large ones then you may have to replace the screen to avoid an accident. Also check its rubber casing for cracks. Replace the casing if you find tears in the rubber.

Check for faulty doors
There may seem to be little rationale in suggesting that you look closely at things like the doors, windscreen and boot of your car but there are good reasons for us to tell you to do so. A door that does not fit properly is a good indicator of whether the vehicle has had a history of collision. The door should not hang downwards from its hinges, but should stay straight and parallel to the body of the vehicle when it is open.

The doors of modern cars are equipped with stoppers that prevent them from suddenly slamming to a close. Ensure that they are working fine in order to prevent the possibility of getting your fingers crushed by the vehicle’s door before you have the chance to move your hand away.

Body and fenders
Check for gaps on the body of the vehicle. If there are any along the fenders, doors or bonnet then the gap should run evenly throughout the length of the edge. An uneven gap might indicate a collision. Inspect the fenders for black or grey spots – sometimes the result of being repaired by welding a broken piece. It may indicate that the fender has been changed or repaired. Again, a hint of an accident that may have occurred.

Bonnet and rust spots
Check the fastening bolts of the bonnet. If they have been set back or are not aligned properly it is usually an indication of an accident.

Check thoroughly for areas prone to rust. Run a magnet over all areas likely to have rust on them. If the sheet metal has been worn too thin then the magnet will not cling to the body of the vehicle.

SCREEN PROBLEMS
Damage from impact
Sudden impact may lead to cracks and ‘bulls eyes’ forming on the windscreen

Degradation or wear
The windscreen is continually blasted by small particles like dust and sand which wear the screen down

Soiling of the screen
Soiling occurs when grease or grime on the windscreen cause light to scatter. Efforts to remove them might result in further scratches and damage. Wipers operating on a greasy surface may lead to scratching the screen and damaging it too