Wheeler Dealers’ Marc Priestley reveals vital checks to make before buying a used motor… it could save you £100s
His biggest tip doesn't even involve opening the car's bonnet and can be done from the driving seat
PETROLHEAD Marc Priestley has revealed his top tips for drivers looking to buy a used car that could potentially save them a costly repair bill.
The Wheeler Dealers star, alongside host Mike Brewer, is a staple of the hit motoring show and is much-loved for his engineering know-how and passion for all things with an engine.
In a Marc runs through a number of simple checks potential buyers can make before handing over their hard-earned cash.
Marc said: “If you buy a car from a large dealer, they should fix or flag any issues with charges built into the price.
“But if you’re buying privately, the term ‘buyer beware‘ couldn’t be more important.”
Using a second-hand Mercedes C-Class as an example, Marc run through his simple checks that anyone can do.
His first tip is an easy one that anyone can do – all it involves it sitting in the driver’s seat.
He said: “Most modern cars being sold privately will be a bit like this one; affectively controlled by a giant computer underneath the skin.
“If you want to check for problems with the engine or gearbox, often the best place isn’t to check under the bonnet – it’s in the driver’s seat.
“Start the engine up and keep a close eye on the dashboard when you do so – just watch how long it takes for all of the warning lights to disappear.
“When the engine’s running and up to speed, the dashboard should be totally clear.”
Once the engine is running, Marc suggests taking the car out for a full test drive – although rolling down the windows and moving the car backwards and forwards in a small space while listening to the sound “can tell you an awful lot.”
Marc added: “Listen out for a clean sound as you engage the gears, make sure there are no clunks or squeaks from the engine, clutch, brakes or suspension as you switch between drive and reverse.”
An important and possibly overlooked check is on the motor’s wheels – with there being a number of signs of wear and tear to look out for.
“Not only does it look bad, but it can be costly to repair – probably around £90 to repair each one.”
Marc Priestley
Marc suggests closely inspecting all of the wheels to look for signs of wear and tear – which could be anything from little dings, dents and scuffs.
He added: “Not only does it look bad, but it can be costly to repair – probably around £90 to repair each one.
On top of that, more serious cases can be signs of further damage up the system on the suspension.
“A big hit to a wheel can travel up through the suspension and lead to costly broken coils and struts depending on your system.”
Marc also says the front of the car should be looked at closely – with the expert mechanic even suggesting using a torch to inspect the grill for signs of damage caused by stones or dirt flipped up from the road surface.
This could result in damage to the radiator behind, which can be looked at with the bonnet opened at the very front.
Marc suggests using the torch to check for radiator leaks – which show up like the colour of rust.
Marc added: “If you do see one [a leak] it can be expensive – a new radiator for something like this car can be around £200.”
Away from the actual car, Marc says that buyers should check through the motor’s service history – which he describes as being like a “story of the car” that might tell you some unusual things about its past.
Marc said: “I always say keep an eye out for repeated visits to the garage for the same problem – that’s a red flag to me as maybe it suggests a deeper issue that perhaps hasn’t been resolved.”
This comes after Marc was spotted “having a moment” behind the wheel of a “special” supercar in a behind-the-scenes clip from the Wheeler Dealers World Tour.
Meanwhile, we gave Wheeler Dealers fans a glimpse inside the bizarre car collection of long-time presenter Edd China – including a driveable sofa.
