Things to Check Before You Buy a Car on Car Finance

Purchasing a new car is super exciting, but you shouldn't get too carried away and miss important details (even though it can happen quite easily). You must do various things before picking up the keys and driving away in your shiny new vehicle. 

Here, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about checking the car before buying it on finance.  

What to check for when buying a new car

Before buying a new car, you should check the price (does it match up to similar vehicles?), whether there's any outstanding finance on the car, if the registration matches the VIN number, the service history and more. Indeed, plenty of checks need to be carried out to ensure you're buying a car without any previous issues that could cause headaches further down the line. 

Find out more about what to check for when buying a new car.

How do I check that my used car is safe?

Once you decide to buy a car, you must ensure it's safe. After all, you don't want to buy a car that's not reliable. Start by examining the exteriors, looking at the car's condition from the outside. You should also look at the interiors – the last thing you want is a used and tatty car that doesn't feel new and fresh. Other things to consider include the air conditioning (does it work?), brakes, spark plug if it's a petrol car, screen wash, engine air filter, electronics and more. 

Learn how to check your used car is safe.

How do I perform a car finance check to see if it has outstanding finance?

You need to do your due diligence before buying a car to see if it has any previous issues. For example, does it have any outstanding finance? You can perform a free check with Carmoola by entering the car's registration number. In return, you'll get all the latest information, such as whether finance is owed on the vehicle. You can also perform an HPI check, which comes at a cost but provides a fully comprehensive car report since its production date. 

Find out how to do car finance checks now.

What does it mean to perform a car history check?

A car history check can tell you if there are any issues with the car you're thinking of buying. These include things like if it's stolen, has outstanding finance, or if it has been in a major road accident. On top of that, you can find other details about the car like its mileage, year registered, whether it's automatic or manual and if it's petrol, diesel or electric. 

Having all of this information to hand can help you make a buying decision and helps you avoid purchasing a car with issues that might end up causing problems in the long run. 

Learn how to do a car history check in our useful blog.

Do I need to do an HPI check?

HIP stands for hire purchase investigation and is something you should do before buying a car. Most insurers won't even cover the car if it doesn't have an HPI check, so it's not something you should ignore. Some checks are paid for, although there are free options. An HPI check looks for things like if there's any outstanding finance on the vehicle, whether it has previously been written off, its status (has it been stolen?), current MOT and the number of previous owners. 

Find out if you need an HPI check before buying a car.

Car buying checklist

The aim is to buy a good car that you love. It should also serve you well, which means checking certain aspects to see if everything's in order. Before purchasing the vehicle, go through a checklist that includes seeing if all the paperwork is in place, whether the mileage is legit, and perform a general check of both the exteriors and interiors. It's also worth taking it for a test drive to see if you like driving it and to get a feel for the car. 

Check out our car buying checklist now.

Want to learn more about car finance? Our blog covers everything from ‘how much can I afford?’ to common car finance misconceptions. Check it out now, or get in touch with our friendly team with any specific questions you may have.