Car safety tips – buying a car

It seems that driving is one of the most dangerous hazards we face, yet many people choose to travel day by day in a vehicle with very few safety features and a dubious maintenance record. Investing in a car can be one of your biggest financial commitments, after buying a house, and it pays to know what to look out for in terms of protecting yourself and your family.

Have a look at the following car buying tips to decrease your chances of buying an old banger and being involved in an accident.

When choosing your new or used car
Check the Euro NCAP safety records of the type of car you’re looking at. Find out how well the car fared in an accident and how well the occupants fared, see www.euroncap.com for more information. All new cars must pass safety tests before they are sold and new car designs are becoming safer, however, manufacturers do have a choice when deciding on any additional safety features to incorporate in the car

Does the car have airbags? All new cars have to have at least a driver’s side airbag.

Used cars are great because you won’t lose money the moment you drive off the forecourt. You can also pick up a great bargain or a timeless classic but first check how safe a used car actually is. Is it roadworthy? Do you have a full service history and has it got its MOT? Check that basic safety features like seatbelts work

Find out if the make of car you’re looking at develops any common faults, such as dodgy door hinges or leaks. This will not only save you money but could also save your life. See www.usedcarexpert.com for information.

Take a magnet, to check the body for hidden bits that are not metal. Amateur crash repairs are often done with plastic filler

To make sure that you’re not buying a ‘cut and shut’, where two scrapped cars are welded together look out for: different coloured panels, traces of spray paint on door handles and look for dodgy joins around the windscreen and in the middle of the car. If a cut and shut car is involved in an accident it can cause severe injuries

Take a torch and a mirror to check the underside of the car for rust and damage

Always look at the car during the day and when the weather is good. You will miss potentially dangerous faults in the dark

Always insist on going to the sellers’ house if you are buying privately. Never agree to meet in a layby or car park as you are opening yourself up to fraud

Check the tyres for uneven wear which could point to suspension faults

If there is any kind of smoke of any colour coming from the exhaust then avoid buying the vehicle, there’s something wrong with it

Check the dipstick, if it comes out with sludgy oil it shows poor maintenance and a tired engine or a blown head gasket

Make sure that the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and the engine number are the same as the registration documents as any variation indicates a stolen or rogue car

Make sure that the car you buy is top quality; you should never take risks when it comes to your own safety and that of your passengers.

CoverGirl Car Insurance Services can provide you with the insurance cover that you need once you have bought your car. With the added benefit of a reduced price legal expenses insurance policy you can get a quote for cheap car insurance for women in an instant.

Why wait? Get a quote now.

For more information see:

*A replacement car can normally be arranged under one of the following conditions: (1) Comprehensive policyholders – a replacement car may be available under the terms of your insurance policy. Please check your policy details for more information. (2) Non fault accident – where we have the name, car registration number and insurance details of the person who caused the accident, we can supply a replacement car. This is done on a credit hire basis which means the costs for this service will be passed onto the insurance company of the person who caused the accident. We may not be able to arrange a replacement car where we are unable to get an admission of liability from their insurance company, or where the driver is untraceable or uninsured. (3) Repair garage – if your car is booked in for repairs following an accident, the repair garage may be able to provide a replacement car (subject to availability).