Young drivers must get used cars checked

Young drivers should carefully check any used car they're looking at buying, especially after a recent Trading Standards survey revealed that many aren't safe.

Trading Standards and Hertfordshire Police performed an undercover survey, which showed that five in every eight (62.5%) low-priced used cars - the kind young, first-time motorists often buy - weren't safe to drive.

Information from RAC Inspections supports the new survey's findings, too - almost three-quarters of used cars inspected by the RAC have faults that would cause the car to fail an MoT test. A further one in three have potentially dangerous or illegal faults.

Matt Sanger, What Car?'s used car editor, said: With the cost of motoring so high, it's hard for young drivers to ignore the cheapest cars on sale. Whatever you buy, though, get it checked over by a mechanic to ensure you're not driving a death trap.

Help in buying a used car
Buying a used car doesn't have to be a minefield. A few common-sense tips can help you sift the bad or downright dangerous from the good.

Take a knowledgeable friend or relative along with you to examine any car you're interested in, for example. Do your research, too - there are plenty of reviews on whatcar.com to help you.

For advice you can study or take with you when you view the car, click on the links below. They'll take you to our factsheets, which are in handy PDF format for you to print off easily:

Buying a car

• How to take a test drive
  What to test on every car you drive

• How to haggle
  How to get thousands off your next new car

• Buying a used car
  How to avoid the pitfalls

• Buying a pre-reg car
  Making the most of some great deals

Selling your car

• Selling your car
  Make the most of your asset

• Used car sales receipt
  Handy when you sell your car

Taking delivery of your car

• Taking delivery of a new car
  What to look out for

• Taking delivery of your used car
  What to look out for

Looking after your car

• Keeping your car healthy
  Regular car checks

• Winter motoring
  Keeping safe in winter

• What to do in an accident
  Points to remember

Motoring tips

• Driving abroad
  What to remember on the Continent

• Cut your insurance bill
  Cost-cutting advice

• Green motoring made easy
  Save money, save the planet

• Buying a personal numberplate
  Make the most of your investment

If you want to be sure a car is in good condition before you buy, the best advice is to get it professionally checked. The AA and RAC both offer inspection services.

It's also worth finding out if it's been stolen, had its mileage 'clocked' (falsely altered), been written off or if it still has money owed on it from a previous owner. Autocheck is one company that will do this for you - to find out more, click here.