Buying a used car: what to check before purchasing a used vehicle

Buying a used car can, in many cases, be an excellent decision.

It can help reduce the purchase price, avoid some of a new car’s initial depreciation or simply make it possible to buy a more appealing vehicle within the available budget.

It is an option chosen by thousands of buyers in Portugal and across Europe.

But buying used also means accepting that two seemingly similar cars may have very different histories.

A car with low mileage is not necessarily a better purchase than one with higher mileage. Its condition, maintenance history, previous use and the quality of the available information can be far more important than the number shown on the odometer.

That is why the purchase should follow a methodical approach.

The checks begin before you see the car

When we find an interesting listing, the instinct is to arrange a viewing straight away.

Before doing so, we can start by analysing the information available.

The seller’s reputation can be a useful indicator, but it does not replace an assessment of the car itself.

Then we begin checking the car.

Analyse the photographs

Photographs can reveal signs of exterior damage, differences in paint colour, scratches, dents, tyre wear or signs of wear inside the car.

This assessment is especially important when the car is advertised as having low mileage.

The condition of the steering wheel, seats, pedals and other frequently used elements should be consistent with the stated mileage.

Ask for the service history and VIN

If the car still seems suitable, we should ask for its service history and vehicle identification number (VIN).

The history helps establish whether servicing has been carried out according to the scheduled maintenance plan and whether the mileage recorded over time is consistent.

The VIN may make it possible to access additional information about the car’s past, depending on the databases available.

For imported cars, this check can be particularly important.

Check the vehicle’s history

Before proceeding, we should try to establish whether there are records of accidents, mileage alterations or other relevant issues.

No report replaces an in-person inspection, but cross-checking different sources of information can help identify inconsistencies before spending time on a viewing.

If everything still makes sense, it is time to see the car.

When it is time to see the car

The in-person inspection should be carried out carefully.

We should look for signs of previous repairs, differences in paintwork, gaps between panels and excessive wear, and check whether the car’s overall condition is consistent with its age and mileage.

We should also test all the important systems: lights, windows, boot, air conditioning, infotainment system, sensors and other equipment.

Then comes the test drive.

While driving, we should pay attention to noises, vibrations, steering behaviour, braking, suspension and the gearbox.

With a manual gearbox, we should also assess how the clutch operates. With an automatic gearbox, we should check that gear changes are smooth and that there is no unusual behaviour.

What about electric cars?

Electric vehicles require one particularly important additional check: the condition of the battery.

Whenever possible, we should seek information about its condition, usage history, charging and warranty.

As with a conventional car, the question is not just how many kilometres it has covered, but understanding its actual condition.

When there are doubts

Not every car requires the same level of assessment.

But when there are doubts about its mechanical condition, history or mileage, an independent technical inspection can be a straightforward way to reduce the risk before proceeding.

Buying used does not mean finding a perfect car.

It means understanding whether the car’s condition is consistent with its age, mileage, history and price.

It is this assessment that can turn a seemingly interesting opportunity into a good purchase.

And that is also why, before looking for the lowest price, it is worth understanding exactly what we are buying.