first car, local garages

[tbs]

hey guys and gals,

i went to look at some cars today, and basically ive seen a few thats caught my eye, this is going to be my first car and ive only just past my test last month so basically looking at something small.

basically i just want to ask, what i should look out of in the cars when im testing them, what i should look at under the bonnet and how do i test the car to see if its got anything wrong with it.

also, seeing as i dont know a whole deal about cars, i just like to know about the other stuff like MOTs and what i should ask it comes with and what doesnt, just incase i get ripped off.

so anything comments and suggestions are welcome, except pls dont go off topic!

thanks!!

 

[paradigm]

ive only just past my test last month so basically looking at something small.

Doesn't mean you "need" something small, you'll get better VFM with something larger, but your choice.

what i should look out of in the cars when im testing them, what i should look at under the bonnet and how do i test the car to see if its got anything wrong with it.

That would really depend on the car in question. There are of course common things you can check, look for rust, make sure the engine sounds ok FROM A COLD START, etc etc. But...

...also, seeing as i dont know a whole deal about cars... just incase i get ripped off.

Take someone with you who DOES know about cars then. You are much more likely to get fleeced if you go with no knowledge at all.

 

[timbob]

Agreed - take someone who knows about cars with you, there are so many things that the untrained eye wouldn't spot, or would spot but not realise it was a bad thing.

As for the small car thing, a mate of mine was after a Fiesta for his first car. After much persuading, he bought a much better specced Cavalier for less money and he's chuffed to bits with it.

 

[tbs]

yea, im planning to ask a friend, or my brother in law to go with me since theyve been driving for ages, and owned a few cars, so i guess they should know somethings about cars.

can you or anyone else elabrorate on more things i should look out for, and probably how i can knock a few hundred of a car lol