You can learn a lot about a car you're considering buying by checking for:

• Bodywork
• Dents, scratches or ripples; does the paint on panels and doors all match. Has the car been crashed and repaired
• Paint overspray on trim, under wheel arches or underneath the car from repainting after crash or rust repairs.
• Rust in the bottom of doors or tailgates, in wheel arches or bubbling in the sills.
• Consistent gaps between panels and door and boot lid shut lines. Disparities can indicate poor reassembly after crash repairs.
• Chipping or starring of the windscreen which may prevent the car getting a Warrant of Fitness (WOF).

Under the Bonnet, check:

• The level and condition of the oil. There should be no creamy sludge and the oil should still be relatively clean and transparent-looking.
• The level of the cooling fluid in the radiator header/catch tank. Look for signs of oil in the water.
• Cracks or wear in the hoses and drive belts.
• For burning oil smells or other out-of-the-ordinary fumes or excessive smoke. Look for signs of oil leaks.

Inside the cabin, check for:

• Wear on upholstery, pedal rubbers or carpeting that seems excessive for the car's mileage or age. Saggy seats on a low-mileage car can hint at the odometer being wound back.
• Damp areas on the carpet, roof lining or carpet underfelt, indicating water leaks. Be suspicious if there are any musty smells.
• That all the controls work, and that the sound system and air-conditioning, power mirrors and windows are operating correctly.
• Odometer reading is consistent with the car's age; most cars do between 12,000 and 20,000km a year. Company cars will often have done more. Be suspicious of cars that show too little mileage for their age or condition. High-performance, sports or classic cars may, however, have been used only on weekends. Quiz the seller if you think the ODO reading is too low.